Conference unifix::sailing

    Steve, do you have to attend both days or can you sign up for one
    of the four days? Also, where abouts in Marblehead are they?
    This sounds like a possible opportunity to get some free sailing
    in early and to get to know more about what they offer. Do you 
    have to register for a course in order to sail?
     
    Jack Burnham

    Jack, I asked Steve about this.  The sailing school is opening its
    doors and coffeepot on any of these four days to encourage people
    to come down and see their boats (Pearson 26, 30, and Rainbow 24).
     They offer lessons, club membership and rentals.  Whatever boats
    they have in the water will be available depending on conditions
    to sail.  They do not use spinnakers and suggest calling a day or
    so beforehand to confirm weather conditions.
    
    They are located at the end of Commercial St., which is off Atlantic
    Ave. (rte 129).  I grew up in M'head, if I can be of any assistance.
    
    Wendy
    

    Don't look for an office or sign that says "COASTAL SAILING" at the end
    of Commercial Street, there isn't any! Coastal Sailing holds all its 
    classes onboard. Classes gather on the landing at the end of the street. 

    From my experience with Coastal Sailing I would say that they are
    very particular about what boat they will let you take out. Usually,
    the only thing you can get is the Rainbow 24 (No head! makes for
    a very l-o-o-o-ong 4 hours). I don't think anyone takes out the
    30 because he uses that for classes. But the classes were fun and you will
    learn some good stuff. The only negative about the class was that
    not everyone was at an equal level of experience so a lot of time
    was wasted, but I believe they are working on a new format. That
    may be what the free sailing is all about. It gives them a chance
    to evaluate your ablility before putting you in a class.          
    
    		charlie

	Can somebody post the directions, address, phone number of this
	place please? (I'm new to this area).

	Thanks,

	Keith

Bert Williams and the Coastal Sailing School are usually found at the 
Commercial Street dock in Marblehead. Bert's basic course is a good 
introduction to sailing and to handling a medium sized auxiliary sailboat. 

Directions (I wrote these a year or two ago but they should still be 
accurate):

Take RT128 to the RT114 exit for Marblehead.

Follow RT114 to Marblehead -- it twists and turns through Salem, but 
the signs are clear except in one place. After you leave the big traffic 
circle in Salem center, you'll come to a T intersection after a block. 
Turn right (this a 45 deg or so turn). 

After eventually crossing a small bridge over a tidal stream -- Salem
Harbor is visible to the left -- you'll be in Marblehead. Go through
four traffic lights. The first three are the usual red/yellow/green kind
and the fourth is blinking yellow. One block later turn right at the
second blinking traffic light. There is no left turn and there is a fire
station is on the right and there is also a sign 'To RT129'. This turn
is missed frequently, so watch carefully -- if you go uphill to the left
and pass a school on the left you've gone too far. 

Go one block to the next traffic light and turn left -- you are now on 
Atlantic Avenue.

Turn right onto Commercial Street -- Shube's Grocery is on the left 
corner of the intersection. Commercial Street is the third street on 
the right after passing a big playground on the right. 

If you drive far enough on Commercial Street, you will fall off the end
of Commercial Street dock -- there are no signs naming the dock. Park
anywhere parking isn't forbidden -- Marblehead tows in the belief that
tourists have money. At the end of Commercial Street you can only turn
right. About 150 feet later is a driveway to the left (another 45 degree
turn) that goes into a boatyard. You can park in here too. 

It is a 30 to 40 minute drive from the junction of Routes 128 and 3 to 
the dock.

Have fun.

I've taken Bert's basic and intermediate/advanced course.  They are a lot
of fun.  (He didn't have enough people to fill an intermediate and an
advanced course the week I wanted, so he merged them.  So I got some
advanced stuff too.)  The advanced course is supposed to leave you
knowledgable enough to rent a bareboat from a charter outfit.  (Better get
some experience first, though.) 

All lessons are on board the Pearson 30, in Marblehead harbor and the 
waters just outside.  Typically 6 people in a class, which meets 5 times 
for 4 hours each time.

phone number is 617-639-0553

address is PO Box 1001
           Marblehead, MA 01945

	Thanks, I rang him and (weather-permitting) I will be making
	the trip to Marblehead this weekend.