Trawler Certification Course

Northern Breezes offers a unique instruction and certification program to meet the needs of family and friends interested in learning how to enjoy and operate a 36’ trawler, a comfortable and roomy craft that some describe as a “sailboat with windows and no sails.” We’ve designed the course to be personalized for your family or group, and to do this without compromising our high standards. We’ve also recruited one of the best Trawler Captains around, Captain Jeff Janacek. He and his wife Sally and their two teenage sons returned from the Great Circle tour last August. Theirs was a one year voyage with many adventures and memories. The story and route is on our site PDF Version. HTML Version

Many families have some members who are interested in being certified to operate a trawler and want to know what they are doing on the boat so that they may contribute to the sound operation of the vessel by being competent crew. We train and certify “competent crew” so that the family or group works well together in a safe manner.

Trawler Skippers may be sailors who don’t want to handle sails anymore or folks who want to charter one of these versatile boats in the Pacific NW, Florida, the Northeast or Caribbean. Some may want to try out one of these comfortable craft before purchasing one, some may want instruction on their own boat, while others may just want to experience the Apostle Islands in a different type of boat.

Competent crew cuts across a broad spectrum. Many are young folks, but certainly not all. Often these are the very crew the prospective Trawler Skippers will have on their own yachts, whether chartered or owned. The one or more members who are going to become Trawler Skippers in this course will be expected to meet all of the Northern Breezes qualifications for Trawler Skipper. The crew will be taught on a personalized basis based on age, interest and experience level. The whole crew will accomplish many skill sets and feel empowered as trawler crewmembers in support of their skippers.

Prospective Trawler Skippers may have extensive sailing experience or some small boat and outboard motor experience to build upon.

Instruction consists of classroom work and extensive operation of a 36’ single screw diesel trawler. Trawler Certification will be awarded after successful completion of a written test and on-the-water performance testing.

Call us with your experience and/or course options. Every brochure or flyer we publish contains the phrase, “We are flexible...please call.” We mean it and it probably applies to this class as much as any other we do.
Crew may consist of up to four people including one prospective skipper, or, four including two prospective skippers. We recommend a total of four. Accomodations include the aft cabin with a double bed, head and separate shower along with a v-berth with its own head. The captain sleeps in the salon on the dinette. The boat has heat and A/C, AM/FM/CD stereo, 4 burner stove, oven large refrigerator/freezer, a dinghy, inflatable kayaks and all electronics and safety equipment.

Typically, groups arrive the evening before and sleep aboard the yacht in the harbor. We are in Pike’s Bay, the finest marina in the Apostle Islands Area. You will need to bring your own bedding and towels.

Provisions are generally brought by you and your group. However if this is a problem, we can and often do provision the boats for you for a slight fee. Obviously, some coordination is necessary on this point. If you provision the boat, please include the Captain in your plans.

What will I learn? There will be one ashore seminar session of approximately one to two hours. The on-the-water instruction includes the topics below.

Successful completion of this course will empower you with the knowledge and confidence to safely and comfortably charter a trawler. Start creating memories, realizing your own dreams and best of all doing it with your most likely partners, your own family and friends! Northern Breezes is here to assist you!

The two day option. One Trawler Skipper receiving the Trawler Certification is $1,595 plus provisions for the entire group. Two Trawler Skippers receiving the Trawler Certification is $1,795 plus provisions for the entire group. Remember that all crew members receive valuable training and a Northern Breezes “Competent Crew Certificate.” Two certifying students is the most you want to do in two days. Individual Prices: $695 or $1,240 per couple. Max is four plus captain on the boat. If a class is sold as individuals, the boat is provisioned for one breakfast and two lunches by Northern Breezes.

The three day option. One Trawler Skipper receiving the Trawler Certification is $2,395 plus provisions for the entire group. Two Trawler Skippers receiving the Trawler Certification is $2,595 plus provisions for the entire group. Remember that all crew members receive valuable training and a Northern Breezes “Competent Crew Certificate.” Three Trawler Skippers receiving the Trawler Certification is $2,795 plus provisions for the entire group. Four Trawler Skippers receiving the Basic Trawler Cruising is $2,995 plus provisions for the entire group. Individual Prices: $895 or $1,640 per couple. Max is four plus captain on the boat. If a class is sold as individuals, the boat is provisioned for two breakfast, three lunches and one dinner by Northern Breezes.

Four Day Relaxed Option. Again the cost is based on the number of Trawler Skippers being certified. One Trawler Skipper receiving the Trawler Certification is $2,895 plus provisions for the entire group. Two Trawler Skippers receiving the Trawler Certification is $3,095 plus provisions for the entire group. Remember that all crew members receive valuable training and a Northern Breezes “Competent Crew Certificate.” Three Trawler Skippers receiving the Trawler Certification is $3,295 plus provisions for the entire group. Four Trawler Skippers receiving the Basic Trawler Certification is $3,495 plus provisions for the entire group. Individual Prices: $1095 or $2,040 per couple. Max is four plus captain on the boat. If a class is sold as individuals, the boat is provisioned for three breakfasts, four lunches and two dinners by Northern Breezes. *This is a leisurely combination of a learning vacation.

What will I learn? There will be two ashore seminar sessions of approximately one to two hours. The On-the-Water Instruction includes the following topics:

Under Power/Docking
Dock Line Management
Engine and Transmission
Safety Equipment and Procedures
Anchoring
Approaches and Departures
Dinghy Handling
Diesel Engine Care and Feeding
Person Overboard Recoveries
Vessel Operation
Seamanship
Weather, Weather, Weather
General Safety Issues
Radio Use
Right-of-Way Rules
Basic Navigation
Crew Direction and Management

Class Location:

Apostle Islands, Lake Superior
All courses start at Pikes Bay Marina in Bayfield, Wisconsin.

2008 Season Schedule:
Three to Five Day Family / Group / Friends Vacation Certification Course
Trawler, Bay 1 June 12 - 15
Trawler, Bay 2 August 7 - 10
Trawler, Bay 3 August 14 - 17
Trawler, Bay 4 September 4 - 7

These courses are scheduled based on the group’s needs and schedules. They often are an addition to or replace one of our regularly scheduled vacation classes. We basically offer this course from June thru the third week of September. If you wish to schedule a time that is not on the list please call us at 763-542-9707.

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Northern Breezes Sailing School
3949 Winnetka Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
Call (763) 542-9707
American Sailing Association Sailing School

* We are flexible. If you would like day classes, private lessons, rides, refresher, etc. Please call.

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