Set Sail

All we needed was one day of sun, wind, and no precipitation and our thoughts turned waterwards: it's time to think about sailing.

Last summer we joined the SailNOW! program at the Center for Wooden Boats on South Lake Union. For $270 we got one classroom lecture, a group sail, and a bunch of small group lessons (generally two to three students per instructor). By the end of it we were feeling fairly competent, although the setup of the Center's docks means lots of trickiness as you are starting out or finishing your sail. We enjoyed the locale and the weeknight lessons--it was fun to leave work and say, "Off to sail!" Tip: never sign up for a Tuesday night lesson, as we did, finding ourselves in the middle of the Duck Dodge and plainly terrified.

Once you've passed SailNOW! (and no, we don't know why it has to be "NOW"), you're okay'd to rent the center's boats. You can also take individual or refresher lessons--or "docking intensive," which made us giggle since every docking experience we had there was, indeed, intense. Next SailNOW class starts June 18; details here.

We've also heard good things about (but can't personally vouch for) the sailing lessons at the Seattle Parks Department's Mt. Baker Rowing & Sailing Center. Their lessons are cheaper ($120); the next set of Saturday classes starts on June 4; weekday classes on June 13. You can download their summer brochure here.