The program was created from a desire to see the center's classic wooden boats out on the water, not just dockside specimens of history. Classic boats at the Center for Wooden Boats lie moored and ready for action on Lake Union. Many of these instructors, whose teaching ability and sailing experience vary, swear that a lifetime addiction will result from one outing. But if it takes longer, you can keep coming back. We just send them out again until they get it.
New students have much to absorb, starting at shore school.
They learn the vocabulary of mariner speak, a complex lexicon. There are no less than four spellings of the word for a basic sailing turn - jibe, gibe, gybe and jib. Others say loo-ward. The sails of a small wooden sailboat catch the wind and afternoon sunlight on Lake Union as it cuts a romantic figure against the modern Seattle skyline. On top of the art and communion, sailing has a few lighthearted fashion concerns.