New Mexico Sailing Courses

There are a number of commercial sailing classes in the USA that are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). 

Most incorporate the formal 8-hour Boating Basics Course as provided by New Mexico State Parks in their curriculum.

New Mexico has a NASBLA affiliated sail boating course that is offered through US Sail, and the American Sailing Association (ASA) which is a not for profit education group. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has also an in-depth course in Sailing and Seamanship (S&S).  It is offered infrequently as a 7-to-14 lesson course.  Certificates are awarded to graduates.

Contact us for the local contact. 1-888-NMPARKS.

This course is available only as water levels allow at Heron Lake and if a current certified instructor is available.

Young  high school students from affiliated navy ROTC high school programs may also learn sailing through the West Mesa High School Navy ROTC Laser Racing Summer Camp held during June most years for a week. Details are available from the NM Certified Boating Education Instructor, Major Mark Hendricks 505-417-6314

Informal sailing instruction is also available from the Hobie Catamaran Sailing Fleet 48 (www.hobiefleet48.org) One of the sailing groups with an annual sailing schedule.

 2013 Hobie Fleet 48 Sailing Schedule

June 15-16 Location TBD

July 4-7 4th of July at Heron Lake State Park

July 14  Day Sail at Cochiti Lake USACE

July 20-21 Heron Lake State Park

August 10-11 Wind Fest Heron Lake State Park

August 31- Sept 2 Labor Day Heron Lake State Park

Sept. 14-15 Luau, Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Sept. 28-29 Fall Bonus, Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Oct. 12-13 Tuscon AZ Fleet Sponsored Event Puerto Penasco, Mexico

Oct. 19-20 October Hobie Fest,  Elephant Butte Lake State Park

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary also teaches an add on course to their America's Boating Course if there is enough public interest each year for those wanting to start sailing but have no background in it.

LET'S GO SAILING (LGS) U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Let's Go Sailing (LGS) is a fun course for beginning sailors. The course is designed for the person who wants to begin sailing in a small boat, learning each step the right way, and in the process build the skills and confidence that will serve as the foundation for a lifetime of enjoyment.

It uses a short, well illustrated text published by the American Sailing Association to introduce fledgling sailors to the equipment, nomenclature and safe operation of small sailboats. Each of the text's four chapters has review questions and there is an extensive glossary and index. The course has it's own exam and certificate of accomplishment.

By itself, Let's Go Sailing is NOT approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) as a boating safety course. Only when taught in conjunction with NASBLA approved courses such as America's Boating Course or Boating Skills and Seamanship, can a state boating safety certificate be issued.

TOPICS INCLUDE

• Beginning To Sail - The sailboat and the wind, the sailor's language, parts of a boat, sails and control terms, sailing terms, points of sail, how a sail works, tacking vs. jibing, heading up, heading down, in irons, sail care and folding.

• Let's Go Sailing - Rigging, launching, getting going, your first sail, close hauled sailing, coming about/tacking, running-sailing, downwind, steering, jibing, safety considerations.

• Safe Sailing - Capsizing, righting, scoop recovery method, rescuing, heavy air sailing, upwind and close reaching, downwind, man overboard, what to wear, cold and hypothermia, dealing with the sun.

• Advanced Topics - Crewing, centerboards, planning your sail, wind and weather, tides and currents, sailing in a confined area, steering and sailing rules, docking/mooring/beaching, knots and lines.

Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete this course.

Individuals who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded certificates and cards.

As a refresher on basic sailboat rules....

There are only three basic possibilities, and three basic rules to follow, when your sailboat approaches another sailboat. (Excerpted from Colgate Sailing School)

Rule 1: When you are on the same tack as the other boat, the leeward boat has the right-of-way.

Rule 2: When you are on opposite tacks, the starboard tack boat has the right-of-way.

Rule 3: If you are overtaking the other boat, or it is overtaking you, the boat ahead (the overtaken boat) has the right-of-way.

In Figure 8-2, two boats are approaching each other and subject to the same tack rule. Sailors refer to the boat with right-of-way as the stand-on vessel – the boat that must hold its course. The leeward boat has right-of-way, and the windward boat has to keep clear, or give way. Which boat is the leeward boat? If you said the boat on the left, you were correct.

Figure 8-3 shows the opposite tack rule. The starboard tack boat is the stand-on vessel and has right-of-way. The port tack boat has to keep clear or give way. Which boat is on port tack? If you said the boat on the right, you are correct.

Figure 8-4 shows two boats involved in the overtaking rule. In this case the boat ahead is the stand-on vessel and has right-of-way. The overtaking boat has to keep clear or give way. Which boat is overtaking and what tack is that boat on? If you said the boat behind is overtaking and is on starboard tack, you are correct. Note that these boats are sailing downwind, with the wind pushing from behind, and they are on opposite tacks. In the overtaking rule, the difference in tacks is not relevant, unless you are racing. Over many years, a complete set of rules specifically for sailboat racing has been developed and administered by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF); but these are not relevant to recreational sailing.