Beginning in 2026 Curlew Cruises will be offering private sailing lessons for women or group lessons for men and women.
All lessons are 3 hours in duration:
- Wednesday 10:30 am to 1:30 pm (or by special appointment).
- Private lessons for 1-2 people: $150/hour/person.
- Group lessons for up to 4 people: $125/hour/person
Private lessons are individually tailored. Group lessons are more structured to meet the group level of beginner or intermediate level.
Learn nomenclature, wind direction, points of sail, rules of the road, how to trim the sails, anchoring, docking, knot tying, and seamanship.
Please call to schedule a lesson.
Skilled instructors, Betsy Williams Stivers and Captain Nancy Barba will offer sailing instruction for all levels of learners.
Betsy. Betsy Stivers brings a lifetime of sailing experience to Curlew Cruises. Nancy and Betsy met when Betsy was the Director of the Junior Sailing program at the Camden Yacht Club. She went on to direct the program at Seal Harbor on MDI, then returned to the Camden Yacht Club to conduct weekly sailing classes for women. She is an avid racer aboard a 35 foot Tartan sloop, is happily retired from a career practicing law, and loves being back on the water on Curlew.
Nancy. Nancy, the Owner of Curlew Cruises, grew up on the water in Annapolis and spent endless hours on the water. Nancy is a US Certified Captain, with a Near Coastal, 25-Ton Masters License. Many moons ago, she taught sailing at the Annapolis Sailing School, learning to keep her students at ease while learning the craft anew. She takes every opportunity aboard boats to teach her guests. Recently she earned an IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) allowing her to bareboat charter in the Mediterranean.