Below is a list of resources if you want to learn to sail, rent a boat, buy a boat, or (it happens) repair a boat in the Phoenix area. All of the people who run these businesses are members of the Arizona Yacht Club and we appreciate their support.
Learn to Sail with the Arizona Sailing Foundation
If you want to learn to sail, we naturally recommend that you start with the Learn to Sail class from the nonprofit Arizona Sailing Foundation, taught by US Sailing certified instructors and coaches from AYC. The class includes the Little Red Book, which leads to small boat certification from US Sailing.
Advanced Sailing Certification Classes
The following for-profit schools will certify you through the American Sailing Association (ASA), which is a cruising-oriented certification. When charter companies require sailing certification (and it happens sometimes), they will accept certification from US Sailing, ASA, NauticEd, or IYT when accompanied by a qualifying resume of experience.
The Sailboat Shop, also known as SailAZ, has served Arizona sailors for over three decades. SailAZ operates from Scorpion Bay Marina at Lake Pleasant and offers several ASA sailing certifications, including ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 110, 114, and 118. Instructors include Tom Errickson, Capt. Emory Heisler, Capt. Bob LaBine, and Capt. Steve Shenkel.
Southwest Sailing: offers ASA and NauticEd certifications at Lake Pleasant, in Southern California or wherever you want them. Captain Emory Heisler partners with several ASA affiliates and is also certified to administer the NauticEd practical exams in association with their online courses. Contact SWsailing for 10% off NauticEd online education courses.
Boat Rentals, Sharing, Sales and Repairs
SailAZ operates from Scorpion Bay Marina at Lake Pleasant and rents Catalina 25 and Catalina 270 sailboats.
The Bare Boat check-out/orientation fee is waived for Sailboat Shop students*
*25′ boat requires ASA 101, 27′ boat requires ASA 103, and 36′ boat requires ASA 104. If you are certified through another organization, schedule a checkout ride, and you will be set to go out on your own!
Tumbleweed Sailing owner and AYC member Bruce Andress offers a Sail Away program that provides nearly unlimited sailing for a full year on Catalina 25 fin keelboats.
We also count on two companies to take care of the AYC and ASF powerboat fleet, four boats that absolutely must run properly. They’re Glendale Marine with member Steve Nahkala and Valley Marine with AYC member Gene Walentiny.
See more on the “Adult Sailing: What’s Next?” page