Junior sailors JSA age 14-18 by December 31st may participate in our Big Boat Program, which is run separately from the regular afternoon sailing program. Sailors can sign up for Big Boat separately from afternoon classes, and do not have to be enrolled in the regular Program sessions but pre-approval by the Sailing Director is required.
The Big Boat Program teaches sailors navigation, seamanship, safety, nautical communications, racing, knots, and big boat handling skills on board a chartered Figaro 2, a 33-foot offshore racing boat with a symmetrical spinnaker. Sailors will have the opportunity to go up the mast! The sailors in this program will participate in a (JSA sanctioned) Safety-at-Sea symposium, will race in the Tuesday Night Breakwater Irregulars series, SYC’s Weekend Series on Friday nights, and race in the YRA Championships.
The Big Boat Program establishes a practice schedule, which may include other big boat racing. The team also takes part in several JSA sponsored big boat events against teams from other Long Island Sound clubs, culminating in several regattas including the Dorade Regatta and Beach Point YC Overnight Race during the final week of the Program. The Dorade Regatta is a one-day series of short buoy races. The Beach Point Overnight Race is an approximately 65-mile distance event. The program is popular both as a social activity and as an advanced test of sailing skills, since juniors are required to handle all aspects of steering, sail handling and navigation.
If your child is interested in participating, please contact the Sailing Director at [email protected] for additional information.