Course Descriptions

Course #102

Course # 102 is one of our most popular courses. This course is commonly scheduled over a weekend. It is designed on an introductory level to teach the technology & understanding of sailing while having a great time. Course #102 is taught aboard the 24’ Rainbow sloops, by experienced and qualified instructors. This course is the perfect answer for you if you have two days in a row & an interest in starting your sailing career.

Course #103

Course #103 is an extended version of Course #102. With the basic foundation laid in the first two days, the third day allows you ample time to put your newly acquired skills into action under the supervision of your instructor. Course # 103 is taught aboard the 24’ Rainbow sloops, by experienced and qualified instructors. The additional day gives you more time to explore the crystal clear warm waters of the Caribbean and the historic town of Christiansted on the island of St. Croix. This course is also popular for those wanting to combine a long holiday weekend with a few days of R&R. Feel free to contact us about our vacation packages with local resorts, Bed & Breakfasts’ and guest houses.

Course # 105-US Sailing Certified “Basic Keelboat” certification course.

.Classes are taught aboard out 24’ Rainbow Sloops By a US Sailing Certified Instructor. Course # 105 is a five consecutive day course. This course is approved by US Sailing for their Basic Keelboat certification. Course #105 is of an introductory nature, designed to provide the new sailor with a foundation on which to build future sailing skills. You will be learning about parts of the boat, sailing’s language or nomenclature, knots, rigging the boat, leaving and returning to the dock, points of sail, safety procedures, sailing a course maneuvering, anchoring and securing the boat.

Once certified you’ll be able to confidently sail aboard your own or rented sailboat for a relaxing outings or great adventures in local waters and moderate weather conditions.

Livaboard Courses

Course #235-learn to sail/introduction to cruising course.

This course is the ultimate combination course for those novice sailors that see themselves sailing off on a Caribbean bareboat cruise or plan on buying a cruising boa t of their own someday. This is a 5 day liveaboard course. You would arrive on the island of St. Croix the evening before your course is scheduled to begin. Upon arrival you would be shown your sleeping accommodations aboard the 50’Gulfstar Vixen. You will receive a brief orientation of the boat course schedule & the local shopping & dining area. The first three days you will be instructed aboard the famous 24’ Rainbow Training sloops. With our facilities conveniently located in downtown Christiansted, on the board walk, you are within walking distance to shops, restaurants, banking even haircuts. During the next two days of your course, you will be setting sail on the 50’ Gulfstar for an overnight adventure. During your cruise aboard the Vixen all of your meals are included in the cost of the course. Upon your return on the 5th day, you will be eligible for the US Sailing Keelboat Certification, if all practical requirements have been met.

Course # 255-Basic Cruising Course

This is a 5day livaboard cruising course designed for experienced small boat sailors ready to take the next step into the cruising lifestyle. This course includes books, US Sailing certification testing, provisions, bedding, accommodations and a US Sailing certified Captain/Instructor. The goal of this course is to responsibly skipper and crew an auxiliary-powered cruising sailboat during daylight hours within sight of land in moderate wind and sea conditions. Courses are taught aboard s/v Vixen our 50’ Gulfstar Ketch. Now you can build upon the skills you gained in smaller keelboats as you become familiar with cruising boats which have more comfortable accommodations and more complex systems. You will advance your skill level in sailtrim, reefing, crew coordination, boat systems, chart reading, tides and currents, anchoring, rules-of-the-road and more. Certification at this level will allow you to sail an auxiliary-powered cruising sailboat and take friends or family daysailing to explore the coastline and its harbors.

Prerequisite for course#255; Basic Keelboat Certification or other formal basic sailing instruction or life experience that can be verified

Course #260 combination Basic Keelboat/Basic Cruising Certification Course

This course is a 7 day combination of our famous course #102 & course #255. You will be housed in your cabin aboard the 50’ Gulfstar during the two days of basic instruction, during those first two days you will be in class form 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, with a break for lunch. During your free time you encouraged to explore the historic town of Christiansted enjoying her many shops restaurants and museums. Upon your third day, you will set sail for St. John, Great St. James, Little St. James, Lienster Bay and Buck Island. While enjoying the cruising portion of this course all provisions, bedding, snorkel gear and necessities are included. There are no prerequisites to this course, however it is designed for individuals with prior sailing experience. Upon completion of this course you are eligible for both the basic Keelboat & Basic cruising certification exams offered by US Sailing.

Course # 247- Bareboat Charter Certification

This 7 day livaboard course is designed to train you to responsibly skipper , crew or bareboat charter an inboard auxiliary sailboat within sight of land to a port or an anchorage during daylight hours in moderate wind and sea conditions. During this course you will familiarized with the various systems onboard, i.e.; radar, GPS, VHF, EPIRB, inboard diesel and outboard motor operations. You will command the helm of the 50’ Gulfstar, plotting the course you are to sail the next day. You will anchor in quaint Caribbean harbors, snorkeling, swimming or exploring many of the various islands every afternoon. You will be traveling throughout the US and British Virgin Islands, so Passports are a MUST!!!!

This is the major goal of many sailors-to be able to bareboat charter or cruise with confidence. The advantage that you have by training with Jones Maritime, is simple, you are training in the same sailing grounds you will be sailing in later. This certification opens the door to the beautiful world of tropical destinations and advances you to larger boats capable of longer passages.

Courses are taught aboard the 50’ Gulfstar Ketch. You will polish your sailing skill, work with boat systems, tow a dinghy and learn advanced anchoring techniques in preparation for chartering.

Successfully complete this level and you’ll be ready to set sail on weekend cruises or bareboat charter at exotic tropical destinations Prerequisite for course#247; Basic Keelboat Certification & Basic Cruising Certification or other formal sail training or life experience that can be verified. You will have to submit a sailing resume for review prior to acceptance to the Bareboat Program.

Jones Maritime Co.
Your sail training headquarters in the Caribbean!!!
340-773-4709