Private Sailing Instruction

Jump to Instruction & Certification | International Licensing | Skill-Focused and Advanced | Pricing & Options

First and foremost, I’m an instructor who takes a personalized hands-on approach to learning through doing. Once my students see ‘what’ happens, then I teach them the underlying principles of ‘why’ it happens. In my experience, this technique leads to a deeper understanding and connection between theory-knowledge and skills, which ultimately gives students more confidence.

Personally, I have sailed and boated on everything from small canoes to amphibious aircraft carriers and in rivers, lakes, bays, and seas all over the world. As a career Marine, I have been teaching and training people to handle complex and high-intensity situations my entire adult life – instruction that leads to a calm, competent, action-focused approach to even the most tense of situations.

Please feel welcome to contact me to discuss your goals and training options. Cheers!
– Capt. Josh

I offer everything from Intro to Sailing for new sailors or those looking to get back into the sport – to advancing your skills and certifications for large sailboats (keelboats), near coastal and multiday sailing, bareboat chartering and licensing, cruising catamarans, and even offshore passagemaking. All certifications are through NauticEd, the international leader in sailing education and only national U.S. boating education body to meet American National Standards.

• Introduction to Sailing (Basic Sailing Endorsement)
• Small Sailboats, i.e. keelboats up to 25ft (Skipper Small Keelboat Certification)
• Large Sailboats, i.e. keelboats 26ft and larger (Skipper Large Keelboat Certification)
• Bareboat Charter Master, near-coastal and multiday sailing (Bareboat Charter Master Certification, optional International SLC licensing) – learn more >
• Offshore planning and passagemaking

Do you want to charter internationally? Then you’ll need the SLC license – the International Sailing License and Credentials (SLC) is a recreational sailing license valid for all yacht charter companies worldwide, including Europe and the Seychelles. The SLC-p is the power boat equivalent. Capt. Josh offers 2 pathways to getting your SLC license:

1. As part of Bareboat Charter Master instruction and certification
2. If you’re experienced and meet the theory-knowledge and experience requirements, Capt. Josh assess you for the license (typically 1 day)

Are you ready to charter internationally? Take the free SLC Sailing Self Assessment (or Power SLP-p Self Assessment) to see if you’re ready or what additional private training Capt. Josh can provide. Feel welcome to copy Capt. Josh on the assessment to discuss!

Do you just want to focus on specific skills? Skill-focused training is perfect for experienced sailors, boat owners, or if you have ambitious bareboat / offshore goals that require additional training and preparation. Below is a sampling of skill areas that we can focus on, each including a NauticEd endorsement of the skill on your sailing resume.

Pricing: Pricing varies by your goals, the boats that we use, and the number of people included in the course/training. Contact me, share your goals and specifics, and I’ll provide a quote for the training that achieves your goals. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, especially if you want to become a competent and safe boater.

For knowledge and theory, Capt. Josh utilizes NauticEd’s online courses and learning management system (LMS). NauticEd’s courses and LMS are the best in the boating industry, comprehensive while providing many tools and resources that are proven to be more effective than traditional approaches. A BIG advantage is that this approach allows you to learn theory-knowledge at your own pace and saves you money since Capt. Josh’s time will be focused on the water, not lecturing in a classroom or proctoring tests.

Capt. Josh’s instruction and assessment are then focused on perfecting your practical skills on the water, which is really where Capt. Josh’s experience and expertise are most effective.

Training location & Boats: I am happy to host you on board one of our boats in Annapolis, Maryland. Available monohulls: Harbor 20, J/80, J/105, J/32, Beneteau 331, or a sailing catamaran, a Fountaine Pajot Helia 44. Ask me about available powerboats as well!

Own your own boat? We can absolutely train on board your own vessel in your home marina or any charter location.

Start by discussing your sailing goals and experience

Contact Captain Josh to discuss your sailing goals, past training, and experience – so that Captain Josh can tailor the training to your needs.

Begin the online theory-knowledge courses immediately!

Online knowledge-theory courses have been proven in education and business to be more effective than traditional means, and NauticEd’s online courses are best-in-class in boating. A big advantage is that you can begin immediately, giving you more time to prepare and, most importantly, spend more time on the water to train practical boating skills.

On-water Training, Assessment & Certification

Captain Josh’s on-the-water training is focused on the application of knowledge-theory and skills building. The training is tailored to your needs and goals, including an emphasis on hands-on sailing experience, seamanship, and competence.

Certification is optional and includes a thorough assessment of your skills, safety, and overall competence for each level. Capt. Josh can assess while training, or you can schedule an assessment.