Victoria Sailing School

Took the intro to Diesel Class and the Intro to sailing. The first was taught by the founder (who is a heck of a guy as other posters have mentioned) and the second was taught by an instructor. First of all, these guys absolutely have the experience and the expertise in the subject matter. Second, this is hands on learning as well as classroom lead in the case of the diesel class (there’s very little theory, sailing is about science and technique, and so is engine maintenance and repair). They have operating diesel engines in the shop and the boats used in the classes were in very good shape. ZERO COMPLAINTS! CUSTOMER FOR LIFE. Will return for more…

I’ve taken ASA 101, 103, and 104 classes at this school and they were all excellent. The owner, Jim Cook, is a hell of a guy and has lots of great sailing stories to tell. His instructors are equally as great and were all a blast to sail with. If you enjoy sailing and decide to take the 104 through this school you will not be disappointed. The trip to Catalina Island, CA is absolutely amazing. I also belong to the Why Buy Club which is an excellent way to get out sailing for very little money. Great school and great club with fun little J22s to sail on Colorado lakes.
Why 4 stars instead of 5?
I’m not a fan of the «online» course direction that things seem to be headed. I personally like the actual classes better than the online ones. You still have the actual time on the water but the theory class I had in the classroom was much better than the one online due to being able to interact and discuss with the instructor and other students.
The club is good and affordable but there are some things that could improve. Scheduling could be a bit more flexible in that there are times boats are available but when the time passes for the beginning of a time slot it becomes «unavailable» on the site. There have been many times that I decided I want to sail at 1PM but can’t schedule a boat. The other issue is related to other members and their occasional inability to leave a boat in the same condition as they found it. I’m anal about how I leave a boat when I’m done with it but I’ve seen mainsails completely detached from the mast, halyards left in complete disarray or even pulled out of the mast and left on the deck, and lines strewn about like they just threw them down. I also had one instance where a motor would not start and I had to use another boat but that’s to be expected from time to time.
Some sort of collaboration software would also be nice where a member could find another member to sail with. There are times I want to sail but don’t want to sail solo.

At first not knowing about this school I attempted to get an ASA 101 certification from the marina in Dillon near the end of the season. After being bumped twice due to classes not being full enough to trouble them with a lesson at Dillon, they told me «well you’ll just have to give us a call and get an early start next year» I started searching for another school just in case there was one in Frisco or something. To my delight, there was one in Denver.
I had a great experience with the instructors and this school. I completed more than just the basic course I set out to do for about the same price as what Dillon would have charged. Jim Cook runs this school along with a ‘why buy’ club that has boats on many reservoirs that also offers classes in more than 1 place. The practicals are taught on these boats which allows for some variety.