Since 1983,
Modern Sailing School & Club has been introducing
people to sailing from our headquarters in Sausalito,
California. Even if you have never set foot on a boat,
we can teach you everything you need to know to build
a strong foundation in this rewarding and life long
sport.
MSC is dedicated to making your learning
experience as safe and enjoyable as possible. Unlike
at other sailing schools, all of our beginning courses
are taught on 30 to 32 foot keelboats with wheel steering
(no tillers), inboard diesel engines, and roller furling
jibs. These features will help build confidence right
away.
We also have the most experienced
instructors on San Francisco Bay. Our instructors
hold US Coast Guard 50 Ton (or greater) Master's Licenses,
representing decades of sailing experience. They are
award winning instructors, world cruisers, and Coast
Guard commanders. Our high standards have earned us
accolades in the sailing community, including the
American Sailing Association's 2004 and 2009 School
of the Year award.
"What a terrific club
Modern Sailing Club is in Sausalito California.
Every aspect of my experience was outstanding. Mollie
Hagar kept in touch with me for over a year until
I was able to take the course. Without her consistent
organized, kind and enthusiastic communication I
would not have taken the course. I also spoke several
times with the Club Coordinator D. Marroquin who
was ready with every answer to my questions. The
course instructor was Ed Guinaugh and he was outstanding
in every way. Because of his skills as a sailor
and instructor, I learned so much and had a terrific
experience. Anyone who wants to learn to sail and
work with great people could not do better than
the Modern Sailing Club!"
Vaughan - San Anselmo, CA [more
testimonials]
Why is ASA Certification
important?
Sailing is a performance oriented
activity. The American Sailing Association (ASA)
and Modern Sailing School & Club are dedicated
to recreational boating and safety through education
and respected, professional standards. These sailing
standards provide you with a means to prove your
knowledge and abilities (much like a drivers license).
As a student, you are issued an ASA log book - your
passport to sailing - which contains these standards.
Through certification of these standards, the Modern
Sailing School provides you with a reliable, internationally
recognized way to document your instruction and
sailing skills for chartering (renting) anywhere
in the world.
Welcome to Sausalito
Directly across the Bay from San
Francisco lies a town steeped in sailing history.
Sausalito has the highest concentration of marinas,
boats, and marine businesses in all of Northern California,
and boating culture here is second to none. Originally
the home of the Miwok Indians, Sausalito was discovered
in 1775 by Spanish Explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala who
is credited for giving Sausalito its name (little
willow).
There was a time when the town sported
25 bawdy gambling casinos and bordellos and for more
than a century, full rigged sailing ships have taken
shelter along her beautiful waterfront.
Visitors today have the opportunity
to view some of the most historic classic yachts and
sailing vessels in the world. Boutiques, street side
cafes, yacht clubs, fine restaurants, shops, galleries,
elegant hotels, the nearby redwoods, beaches, and
the famed wine country, all contribute to the friendly
yet sophisticated charm of this lovely old bay-side
fishing village.
