Learn to Sail
Learn to sail, or improve your sailing skills, in a fun and relaxing atmosphere at our facility on Portage Lake, in Pinckney, Michigan. Midwest Sailing & Portage Yacht Club offers a variety of sailing lesson options from beginning/novice to racing, all in a private one on one environment tailored to your skills and needs. Our experienced and knowledgeable instructors will take a friendly, enthusiastic approach in helping you build your skills. All you need to bring is yourself and a desire to learn.
The key to our instruction is our on-the-water, “Hands-on” approach. You will spend the majority of your time in the boat, gaining valuable experience and developing a good “feel” for the sport. Come see how much fun sailing really is!
If you are seeking instruction in regards to rigging, trailering or sailing your own boat, our staff can help. Whether it’s a Hobie, a Laser, or a daysailer, we can show you the safest and most efficient way to get the job done. Call us today for an appointment.
Private Lessons
A refresher or satisfying your curiosity has never been easier. We can give you a basic introduction or refresher in one & half hours and the entire session time is in a boat and on the water.
US Sailing’s Learn Sailing Right books are available for $20.
Lessons are generally taught in a 19′ Flying Scot, which is known for its comfort and stability. If your interest is in learning to sail smaller boats like the Sunfish, Laser or Laser Pico, or speedy but stable boat like a the Hobie Wave catamaran, we can include these with your instruction.
We Will Discuss rigging, sailing terms, sailing theory, boat handling, basic safety, man-overboard, capsize and recovery (if applicable), and leaving and returning to the mooring area.
| Session | Duration | Session Rate | Session Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 90 mins | $110 | 1* |
| Follow-up | 1 hour | $75 | 1* |
*Up to 2 additional students may join you for $40/each.
Scheduling
Lessons are scheduled by appointment only. Lessons are offered with day or evening time slots.
PDFs (lifejackets) are provided if needed. You must wear a PFD during your lesson. Minimum student age is 10-years old. Credit Card deposit is required when booking.
Bonus:To encourage continued learning and for additional fun, special Sailboat Rental prices are available for Students completing lessons – Rent a boat for 2-hours and the 3rd hour is free!
Useful Links
Sailing Instructions
- Flying Scot Tuning Guide
- Roll Tacking a Flying Scot
- FS/IL Roll tacking/crew movement
- Flying Scot Sailing Clinic
- Flying Scot mainsail trim
- Flying Scot spinnaker gybe
- Tacking Flying Scot / Interlake
- Flying Scot Changing Gears
- Flying Scot closehauled/tacking
- Flying Scot – big breeze
- Fisher 1
- Fisher 2
- Fisher 3
- Fisher Q & A
Organizations
Class Associations
Boating Links
Other Sailing Links
Learning to Sail
Racing Rules
Rigging, Racing, Spinnaker & Trailering
| Course | Duration | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sailboat Assembly & Rigging | 1-2 Hour(s) | $75 |
| Racing | Per Skill Level | $100 |
| Spinnaker | 2-3 Hours | $100 |
| Trailering | 1-2 Hour(s) | $75 |
Sailboat Assembly & Rigging
Trying to figure out what goes where with your boat? If so, then the friendly staff at Midwest Sailing invites you to schedule an assembly and rigging lesson.
We have experience in many small boat designs including the Flying Scot, Interlake, Laser, Sunfish, Snipe, Hobie Cats, 470, Mutineer & Buccaneer. We also have helped people with Catalina 22, ComPac 16, Sol Cat 18, Islands 15, and Hunter Trailerables.
Racing
Having difficulty getting your racing game together? Our expert staff can help identify your needs as well as coach you on techniques aimed at improving your boat handling skills and race course acumen.
Spinnaker
Looking to enhance our sailing skills? One of the most enjoyable aspects of sailing is flying a spinnaker. It can turn that often, slow, uneventful, downwind ride into an unforgettable experience. Our staff has years of spinnaker expereince and would enjoy sharing this knowledge with you.
Trailering
Having trouble figuring out the best way to get your mast up and down as well as trailering your boat? Over the years we have taught many little tricks to make the trailering process quick and efficient for our customers. We can save you time!
Not Currently Offered
Training & Development Program
Midwest Sailings Training & Development Program is a comprehensive, systematic, “Hands-on” approach to sailing lessons aimed at taking the novice/beginner sailor and progressively developing their skills so they can comfortably sail and enjoy a variety of sailboats under 20’.
In little as 3 hours, with our Level 1 class, we can get you sailing on your own. Our philosophy is to start with boats that are very stable and manageable in terms of liveliness and maneuverability so that students can focus on sail trim and steering to lay a strong foundation.
As a student develops and goes from Level 1, the Level 2 the program becomes more challenging as more rigging, sails, and maneuverability are introduced requiring quicker reflexes and boat handling skills. Each level has student practice time built in to reinforce the principals and material presented in each course.
Level 3 introduces the student to the type of sailboat racing conducted by Portage Yacht Club.
It’s all up to you: Choose to take one or two courses, or take them all.
| Course | Duration | Cost | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 4 Days | $275 | 2 students |
| Level 2 | 5 Days | $440 | 2 students |
| Level 3 | 5 Days | $500 | 2 students |
Lessons are scheduled by appointment only. Lessons are offered Monday through Friday when there is low traffic on the lake and when there is typically good wind between 10:30 and 6:00 or on Saturday (which is busier) 10:30 and 5:00. The sooner you call the more likely you are to get your preferred times.
There is a minimum $40 fee for cancellation with less than 24 hours notice prior to a scheduled lesson or a no show.