Sailing Academy

- 2025 Schedule -

Sailing Season Kickoff 

Saturday, June 7, 2025, 9:30 – 10:30 am

Join us as we kick off the PYC sailing season!  This is your chance to “meet the fleets” and learn about sailing opportunities at the club, as well as upcoming instructional classes and seminars.

Introduction to Sailing on an Ensign Sailboat 

Tuesdays – throughout the summer

Learning to sail is a process, and what better way to start than a Tuesday evening sail on Pentwater Lake.  For those who are interested in exploring sailing and haven’t yet had the opportunity, a sail with an experienced skipper on an Ensign sailboat may be for you. 

Please sign up each week at least a day in advance (by Monday at 5 pm) using the link in Signal Flags.  Spaces are limited.  Weekly sails are subject to change and could be cancelled based on weather conditions.  Please bring a life jacket and wear non-marking shoes.  There is no cost to attend this event. 

Crew Development Class

Monday – Wednesday, June 17 – 19, 10 am until 1:00 pm 

Are you interested in becoming a crew member on one of the boats in a PYC fleet?  The Crew Development Class is an excellent way for beginners to learn about crewing on a sailboat, and for experienced sailors to become acquainted with competitive sailing at PYC. 

This 3-day class consists of instructional time, both on and off the water.  Skills will be taught on Ensign sailboats, as well as larger offshore sailboats by PYC skippers.  Participants will learn about sailboat safety, sailing theory, rigging and handling of sails, knot tying and crew responsibilities. 

Pre-registration is required and will begin late-May. 

The cost of the class is $20. A make-up day will be offered on Thursday, June 20 if any class is canceled because of inclement weather. Class size is limited. Please make sure you are available for all three days of the class.

Please bring a lifejacket and wear non-marking shoes. Previous sailing experience is not necessary.

Sunfish Sailing for Beginners

Thursday, June 26, 2025, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

With all of the excitement around the Annual Sunfish Shootout, you may be wondering how you can join in on the fun.  With a little instruction, some encouragement from the dock and a gentle breeze on Pentwater Lake, you can be on your way to learning to sail a Sunfish sailboat! 

We’ll start the morning with basic instruction on the fundamentals of sailing.  Sunfish sailboats will be rigged, ready and waiting at the dock for you to board, so that you can put into practice what you’ve just learned.  An instructor will be sailing with the group out on the water, and a chase boat will be available should anyone need assistance. 

Bring a life jacket, and wear shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting wet.  Spaces are limited, and preregistration is required that will begin mid-June.  The cost for the class is $10. 

Ladies Sunfish Sailing 

Watch for signups and more details in early July

Tentative dates are Thursdays, July 17, 24 and 31 at 12:30 pm

Ladies, join us on Thursday afternoons. or recreational sails, and a time of fun and fellowship on the water!  Either previous sailing experience, or participation in Sunfish Sailing for Beginners (June 26), is required.  

If you plan to use one of the PYC Sunfish, pre-registration is required each week because boats are limited.  If you have your own Sunfish, we can help you launch at the PYC, or you can put in at the Village Launch and sail around to join us. 

Bring a lifejacket and wear shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting wet.