The Wiscasset Yacht Club is a volunteer organization of about 120 members that has offered sailing instruction at various times over its more than 60-year history. The club continues to make improvements to service the membership and the community. As an integral part of Wiscasset and the surrounding towns, it provides great social functions that add to the town’s appeal. In that spirit, once again the sport of boating through the art and science of sailing and the related knowledge of seamanship and navigation is being promoted.

With interest in small boat sailing again gaining momentum, the club is reaching out to the community to provide a service it feels is important. In an effort to take advantage of the Sheepscot waterfront venue, the club is offering a free sailing program to members and the public in August. The program will provide an introduction to sailing for adults and older youth. Utilizing the club’s Stuart 9-foot dinghies and 14-foot Javelins, the art and science of sailing will be presented by an experienced instructor Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5 p.m. beginning Aug. 8 and running for three weeks. Four hour classes will also be offered on three consecutive Saturdays at 10 a.m. beginning Aug. 12.

The exact contents are customized to suit the knowledge and comfort level of the participants, but will cover everything from why the sails work to the specifics of actually making them work. Terminology, boat handling, safety, sail trim, basic weather, knots and rudimentary navigation, even some history and possibly some sea stories will all be covered. You could be ready to solo in light air at the end of these classes. The one prerequisite is you must know how to swim. The lessons are free to everyone, however donations to the sailing program are welcome.

As with any art, time is required to establish skill. Contact T. Stoner at 205-2409 with questions or to arrange a special class time.