WoodenBoat School's course, Elements of Sailing, is intended as basic instruction for those new to sailing. It is offered throughout the summer on the WoodenBoat waterfront in Brooklin, Maine.
Students sail in Herreshoff and Haven 12-1/2s. Nathanael Herreshoff designed this full-keel, 16' sloop in 1914. Joel White designed the Haven, a keel-centerboard version of the 12-1/2, which is just a wee bit wider to retain the same stability. With the centerboard up, the Haven draws a foot less water than the Herreshoff model, and is easily trailered.
In the book Wood, Water, and Light, he said, "The Herreshoff 12-1/2 is probably the best small boat ever drawn. Only 16 feet long and 12-1/2 feet on the waterline, it has a large comfortable cockpit that can seat four in regal style for an afternoon sail. The boats are seaworthy, good looking, well built, and long lasting. Them seem much bigger than they really are--and very, very safe. Once hardly ask for more than that in a small boat."
Over the years, hundreds of students have learned to rig and sail these beautiful sloops, develop familiarity with compass and charts, tides and currents. They learn about boat safety, weather lore, ropework, and try their hands at rowing and sculling.
Novices in boating will enjoy the Getting Started section found in recent issues of WoodenBoat magazine. Subscribe on our website, www.woodenboat.com, or buy back issues—and books on sailing—at The WoodenBoat Store, www.woodenboatstore.com.
If you would like to take a class at WoodenBoat School, visit www.thewoodenboatschool.com.
