Sailing School

Learn how to navigate at Navtours

Whether on the majestic St. Lawrence River, at Lake Saint-François or in the Bahamas, our sailing school allows you to be introduced to sailing - or to improve your navigation skills - with our enthusiastic certified instructors.

Navtours sailing school is approved by the Fédération de voile du Québec (F.V.Q) (Quebec Sailing Federation) and provides activities for initiation to sailing, elementary, intermediate and advanced practical training courses with recognized certification, practical lessons on how to manoeuvre a powerboat as well as classes to obtain a driver card for pleasure craft.

Logos école de voile

   

A recognized sailing school

The training programs offered by Navtours are endorsed by the Fédération de voile du Québec (F.V.Q) (Quebec Sailing Federation), the Canadian Yachting Association (C.Y.A) and the International Sailing Schools Association (I.S.S.A.). The Cruising on Sailboats International Handbook allows trainees to record their official licences and to register their practicum experience in order to facilitate the potential leasing of a sailboat.

Each training course takes place over a period of two (2) to seven (7) days, according to the experience of the participants as well as their ease of learning. The obtainment of an official certification is conditional upon completion of a written exam to ensure assimilation of knowledge. The cost of this examination is included in our training rates.

Also note that Navtours is also accredited by Revenue Quebec as an educational establishment, allowing you to deduct your tuition fees when the training leads to the exercise of a remunerated activity.

Available training courses

  • Initiation to Sailing - Voile Quebec (VQ) / Sail Canada (SC)

    Introduction To Boating - To introduce novice boaters to safe practices when preparing to leave the dock, while underway, and when returning to dock. This standard may be taught in a sailing vessel or a powerboat. It is expected that the vessel will be less than 12 meters in length.

    If, before initiating a structured training, you wish to experiment sailing to ensure it will meet your interests, treat yourself to a cruise on a sailboat. The initial focus of our cruise programs is pleasure and relaxation. At all time, you can take part in the manoeuvres and develop your sailing knowledge. Read about the summer and tropical cruises offered by Navtours.

  • Basic Cruising Standard - To be able to cruise safely in familiar waters as both skipper and crew of a sloop-rigged keelboat of 6 to 10 meters with an outboard or inboard motor in moderate wind and sea conditions by day.

    The elementary cruise practical class is designed for anyone who wants to navigate without the help of a captain on a keelboat (sailboat whose stability is secured by a ballast keel) and has none or very little knowledge and practical experiences. Its content complies with the certification requirements from the Fédération de voile du Québec (F.V.Q) (Quebec Sailing Federation).


    The elementary practical course provides theoretical knowledge and basic experience to navigate in complete safety on a sailboat of 25 to 30 feet as well as in easy navigation and weather conditions, by day, in inland waters, in calm weather and with a moderate wind. According to his or her learning capacity, the trainee may act as captain or crew member. This training completes the theoretical courses provided by organizations, schools and institutes. It is not sufficient to carry out a cruise of long duration but it allows the leasing of a sailboat for short periods in order to acquire a greater experience. The qualifications of qualified crew member is awarded to trainees who do not wish to assume the responsibilities corresponding to those of the captain.

    A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) days is required to accomplish this training which takes place on the St. Lawrence River, at Lake Saint-François or in the Bahamas. A theoretical test is mandatory to receive the certification - if the training is successful.


  • Intermediate Cruising Standard - To be able to cruise safely in familiar waters as both skipper and crew of a sailing yacht of 9 to 12 meters, sloops rigged with an inboard engine, in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. The standard emphasizes on-the-water skills at a level acceptable for bare boat chartering for extended cruises in coastal waters.

    The intermediate cruise practical course is intended for individuals who already navigate without the help of a captain on a keelboat and already have an elementary cruise certification from a recognized institution with courses that meet the requirements in effect in Quebec. Its content complies with the certification requirements from the Fédération de voile du Québec (F.V.Q) (Quebec Sailing Federation).


    The intermediate practical sailing course provides theoretical knowledge and the basic experience to navigate in complete safety on a sailboat of 25 to 30 feet and in easy navigation and weather conditions, by day, in inland waters, in calm weather and with a moderate wind. According to his or her learning capacity, the trainee may act as captain or crew members. This training focuses on the practical skills necessary to carry out a cruise. It is not sufficient to carry out a cruise of long duration or further away from the coasts, but it allows the use of a sailboat to acquire a sailing experience.


    A minimum of seven (7) days is required to accomplish this training which takes place preferably on the St. Lawrence River, or in North/South convoy. A theoretical test is mandatory to receive the certification after the stage completion.

  • Advanced Cruising Standard - To be able to act safely as skipper and crew of a sailing cruiser of 10 - 15 meters, any modern rig and inboard engine, operating within 100 miles of shore by day and night in coastal or inland water in any weather.

    The practical coastal navigation sailing course is intended for individuals who already have their intermediate cruise certification from an approved and recognized institution and who want to act as a skipper to navigate in complete safety in coastal and inland waters. Its content complies with the certification requirements from the Fédération de voile du Québec (F.V.Q) (Quebec Sailing Federation).

    The practical coastal navigation sailing course provides theoretical knowledge and the basic experience to act as the captain and navigate in a safe way on a sailboat of 30 feet and higher in coastal and inland waters. This training focuses on the practical skills necessary to carry out a cruise of long duration. A minimum of (7) days is required to realize this training which must take place on the Gulf or the St. Lawrence River. A theoretical test is mandatory to receive the certification after the stage completion.

    • ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing
      Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 27 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds and sea conditions. Knowledge of basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship and safety including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards. Auxiliary power operation is not required.ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising

     

    • ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising
      Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (outboard or inboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet length by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operations, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather forecast interpretation, safety and seamanship.

     

    • ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising
      Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered keelboat (or catamaran, if course is conducted on such) of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Course is conducted as a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours. Knowledge of provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operations, routine maintenance procedures, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health & safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operations.

     

    • ASA 114, Cruising Catamaran
      Demonstrated ability to skipper an auxiliary-powered sailing cruising catamaran of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day live-aboard cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of catamaran structure, components and features, performance under sail and power, boat systems, seamanship and safety, heavy weather operations, and emergency response.

  • An exclusive program to Navtours called flotilla sailing is now offered to improve his or her skills while cruising on a keelboat. This formula allows the gain of experience as captain, under the supervision of an instructor and even obtain an intermediate cruise licence.

    No flotille are scheduled so far this year.

     

  • For each class level, you must count the registration and certification fees, in addition to the sailboat leasing fees (vary according to the duration of the training and the length of the boat) and the board cash (the board cash covers the food, moorage fees when needed and other operation fee for the sailboat like fuel and gaz).


    Canadien certification FVQ/CYA

    • Registration and certification: $94.48 CND/pers./level
+ tax per student (includes the logbook from CYA, the test and the book from FVQ)
    • Two (2) days traineeship Lake Saint-François = $1800 CND for the sailboat & instructor - max 4 students per course
    • Five (5) days traineeship Lake Saint-François = $3600 CND for the sailboat & instructor - max 4 students per course
    • Sept (7) day traineeship Lake Saint-François = $4500 CND for the sailboat & instructor - max 4 students per course
    • Sept (7) day traineeship Bahamas = $5300 USD for the sailboat (40' monohull) & instructor - max 4 students per course

    Other mandatory fees: cleaning fees, applicable taxes
    Other costs not included on the invoice:

    • Travel to the marina
    • Cash box: expenses divided between each team member. The cash box includes: diesel, gasoline, food (including captain), marina, gratuity, pump-out, dock / mooring fees (outside the home port) are at the expense of customers. Payable on site.

     

    American certification ASA


    Books and Exams

    • ASA 101: $250.08 USD / pers. (includes the book, logbook, test and the ASA level stamp)
    • ASA 103: $194.14 USD / pers. (includes the book, logbook, test and the ASA level stamp)
    • ASA 104: $195.05 USD / pers. (includes the book, logbook, test and the ASA level stamp)
    • ASA 114: $189.01 USD / pers. (includes the book, logbook, test and the ASA level stamp) 

    Sept (7) days traineeship Bahamas = $5300 USD for the sailboat & instructor - max 4 students per course

    Training on Lake Champlain (Plattsburgh NY) - Please visit out Lake Champlain Sailing School website. 
     

     

Our certified instructors

  • Edena Long - Advanced instructor evaluator - ASA
  • Serge Courtemanche - Intermediate instructor - CYA and ASA
  • Karim Akesbi - Elementary instructor - CYA
  • Alain Boyer - Elementary instructor - CYA
  • Sylvio Côté - Elementary instructor - CYA
  • Claude Côté - Elementary instructor - CYA
  • Luc Larose - Intermediate instructor - CYA
  • Bruno Lemieux - Elementary instructor - CYA and ASA
  • Christian Nadeau - Elementary instructor - CYA
  • Christian Segondi - Advance instructor - CYA

Our sailing instructors are certified by the Fédération de voile du Québec (F.V.Q) (Quebec Sailing Federation) and the Canadian Yachting Association (C.Y.A) Likewise, some are also certified by the American Sailing Association. They are all authorized to certify your knowledge acquisition and licence in your sailing logbook.