MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

The Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) is a great place to enjoy sailing, without the expense of owning a boat, and to meet new people who love to sail as well. Since the DSC's inception, our membership has increased significantly, growing to more than 600 members in 2008. Of those, most live or work in Baltimore City and more than 20 percent of them live in the Federal Hill/South Baltimore area. Members of the DSC comprise a very diverse group of professionals from many backgrounds and have become a hardworking, well-organized group of volunteers. One of our eight membership levels – from social to cruising skipper memberships – will certainly satisfy your need to sail and fit your schedule. All members receive regular e-mail updates (newsletters and invitations to parties and open houses and a standing invitation to our monthly Friday social.

Social Membership
Crew Membership
Crew Membership plus a Class
NEW! Family Membership
Race Crew Membership
Impulse Skipper Membership
J22/Sonar Skipper Membership
Race Skipper Membership

Cruising Crew Membership
Cruising Skipper Membership

Social Membership

If you want to meet other sailors, but only have time to sail occasionally, a social membership may be for you. Social members may sail during the monthly Friday social and then stay for the party, but are not eligible for other membership sails.

Cost: $75.00.

Crew Membership

If you want to sail on a regular basis and polish your sailing skills, a crew membership entitles you to Wednesday evening and bi-monthly Sunday membership sails. New sailors are encouraged to take an Introduction to Sailing course so that they will feel comfortable on a boat and have the skills needed to be competent crew member. New members with some experience on the water are encouraged to take an Intermediate Sailing course or a US SAILING Basic Keelboat Certification course (depending on experience). Crew members are encouraged to attend one or more work parties during the year.

Cost: $245.00.

NEW! Family Membership

If you want to enjoy sailing with your family, this new membership allows two adults and two children (ages 8-17) to enjoy the sailing season together. On one Saturday each month (May-October), a special family sail is scheduled and family members are encouraged to bring a picnic and make a day out of it. Family members may also sail during Wednesday evening and bi-monthly Sunday membership sails. (Note: Children must always be accompanied by an adult member.)

Cost: $500.

All of the following membership levels include the benefits of a crew membership with additional benefits as described.

Race Crew Membership (limited space)

If you have taken lessons through Intermediate Sailing, or have equivalent experience, and enjoy competition, a race crew membership lets you become a member of a race team that participates in five racing series throughout the summer. Each race series consists of five Thursday evening races (total of 25 weeks split with other crew). Weekend regattas are also included. Race crew must participate in the maintenance of the boat to which they are assigned and be able to commit to race two five-week series during the year.

Cost: $320 ($285 early-bird discount if paid in full by 3/14/10).

**Impulse Skipper Membership

Impulse skipper members may reserve any Impulse 21 in our fleet. Reservations are on a first-reserved, first-served basis. Boats are available nearly year-round; at times part of the fleet might be designated for educational or special events. All skippers must attend an annual skipper orientation. New skippers must also pass an on-the-water check-out to demonstrate that they can rig and handle the boats. Skippers are encouraged to attend three work parties per year.

Cost: $470 ($420 early-bird discount if paid in full by 3/14/10).

**J/22/Sonar Skipper Membership

J22/Sonar skipper members may reserve any J/22 or Sonar in our fleet. Reservations are on a first-reserved, first-served basis. Boats are available nearly year-round; at times part of the fleet might be designated for educational or special events. All skippers must attend an annual skipper orientation. New skippers must also pass an on-the-water check-out to demonstrate that they can rig and handle the boats. Skippers are encouraged to attend three work parties per year.

Cost: $670 ($600 early-bird discount if paid in full by 3/14/10).

Race Skipper Membership (limited space)

Race skipper members take the helm during Thursday evening racing (twenty-five weeks split with another skipper) and weekend regattas. New race skippers must pass an on-the-water check-out to demonstrate that they have the experience necessary to skipper a racing boat. Race skippers co-head race teams and take an active role in preparing and maintaining their race boats.

Cost: $770 ($690 early-bird discount if paid in full by 3/14/10).

Cruising Crew Membership

Cruising crew members may sail on Cruiser Sundays and participate in DSC raft-ups. The annual fee is $50 in addition to any crew, Impulse skipper, J/22/Sonar skipper or race skipper membership. (Note: Social and family members may not add on the cruising crew membership.)

Cruising Skipper Membership

Cruising skippers participate in the DSC cruising program and may charter boats in the DSC's cruising fleet at either a heavily discounted rate or by using cruising credits earned by doing maintenance on the boats. The annual fee is $100 in addition to an Impulse, J/22/Sonar or race skipper membership. Cruising skipper membership is subject to the approval of the cruising program administration.

Notes

DSC membership is valid from January 1 through December 31.
100% of fees paid toward any membership can be credited toward any upgrade.

The DSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or ancestry, religion, economic status or political affiliation. This policy applies to all aspects of the Downtown Sailing Center’s programs, practices and activities as well as the use of its facilities.

Any member may be removed for good cause by the board of directors.

The cost of every DSC membership includes an individual membership to the Baltimore Museum of Industry. This entitles members to visit the museum during its normal business hours and to limited parking privileges.

Employee matching gifts programs cannot be used for membership fees. Matching gifts can only be used for donations in which no deeds, goods, or services are received.

The Downtown Sailing Center is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit community sailing center.
Located at The Baltimore Museum of Industry
Photography donated by Andy Herbick Photography, and others.