At the TRUE NORTH SAILING SCHOOL we have designed our Basic Sailing Course so that our students have a total of 5 sessions to learn and retain the knowledge and skill level necessary to become an A.S.A. Certified Sailor. Our course consists of three 3 hour Classroom sessions covering Sailing Theory, Terminology, Nomenclature, Knots and Chart Reading plus two separate On Board Sailing Sessions where you learn and refine your boat handling skills for 5 hours each day.

Most schools give you only 2 sessions total with classroom and sailing sessions all on the same day. That's truly not enough time to absorb the numerous concepts covered. Some schools even teach their Basic Sailing Course in just 2 days. There's just no way! Believe me, if as a beginner you spend long 10 hour days on the water you will get "Burned Out" and suffer from "Diminishing returns". Some schools "increase" their course hours by throwing in what they refer to as an 8 hour "Class Sail" which means sailing without an instructor. If I were paying hundreds of dollars for a sailing course I would want to spend as many hours sailing with an instructor as possible.

At the TRUE NORTH SAILING SCHOOL you receive On Board instruction over 2 days plus 9 hours of classroom instruction. That's 19 total hours with an instructor. I know that some people have such busy schedules that they don't think they can find the time for such an intense course so they decide to take a 2 day "Express Course" at other schools. When they do this they end up only "Scratching the Surface". I guarantee that you will be so hooked on sailing after your first day out on the water that you will be very happy that you signed up for our 5 session course at the True North Sailing School If you are going to do it, why not do it right! If you want to learn ABOUT sailing, go and see them.

If you want to BECOME A SAILOR, come to TRUE NORTH.

AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION (A.S.A.) CERTIFICATION is your "Diploma" or proof of sailing ability recognized by charter companies worldwide. Not every sailing school offers A.S.A. Certification. If renting a boat is in your future, you will be very happy that you received you’re A.S.A. Certification as most sailing rental facilities will not rent you a boat without it. At True North we have a 99.9 % success rate for our Basic Sailing students taking their first A.S.A. Certification Exam.

At the TRUE NORTH SAILING SCHOOL we never place more than 4 Basic students On Board our J/29's with each A.S.A. Certified Instructor. With True North's arrangement you will receive more personal attention plus more "Hands On Tiller Time" to perfect your driving skills. The fact is that ALL sailing schools place 4 students on each boat but on smaller J/24's or Colgate 26's. only 2 students are working at any one time because the boats are so small. On True North's J/29's all 4 students are involved with every maneuver as there are separate positions for all four students on the boat. On the smaller boats that the other schools use you will spend half your time on the water just watching the other students maneuvering the boat.

At the TRUE NORTH SAILING SCHOOL we realize that teaching the Basics to a "New" Sailor is a tough challenge. Beginners come with great expectations, they are very excited about their first sail and some are even a little nervous. One false step at this critical stage of development and all the joy can instantly vanish. It is imperative that the instructor is skilled at maintaining a productive and enjoyable sailing experience.

All TRUE NORTH SAILING SCHOOL instructors have been trained and certified by the AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION. They have the knowledge, patience and enthusiasm to make your initiation into the world of sailing a truly rewarding and enjoyable experience. True North's instructors are all PROFESSIONALS, they are not college kids on summer vacation. They also have U.S. Coast Guard Licenses which not all instructors at all sailing school have. When shopping for a sailing school you should definitely ask that question because if the boat has an engine then the instructor MUST have a license to be legal!

All course graduates are invited to become members of the TRUE NORTH SAILING CLUB which was established so that people who love to sail could do so without the expense of chartering or the headaches associated with boat ownership.

Members have access to our fleet of professionally maintained yachts throughout our six-month sailing season. The more you sail, the better the value. Dues are prorated for sailors who join after the season begins (in your second season) so you don't pay for any unused sailing time.

After graduating from other schools they will gladly charter you a 24 foot boat for approximately $500 per day. At other schools you will get 4 sailing days for the price of a whole season of sailing at the True North Sailing Club. If you sail just once per week at True North you get a minimum of 26 sailing days. It doesn't take rocket scientists to see where the better value is.

Just imagine how good a sailor you will be after 26 sailing sessions!

The TRUE NORTH SAILING SCHOOL in Liberty State Park is accessible via the Hudson Bergen Lightrail and just 10 minutes from Manhattan via the Liberty Landing Ferry.  It couldn't be more convenient for sailors who live or work in Manhattan to get here. By car we are less than 5 minutes from the Holland Tunnel, Routes 1 & 9, and the N.J. Turnpike (exit 14 C).

We are so close that you can leave the office and enjoy a relaxing after work cruise during the week. There is no need to make the long haul out to Long Island or to City Island in The Bronx.

Sailors who would like dinner or to enjoy cocktails after sailing, can watch the sunset reflected off the N.Y. Skyline from the Liberty House Restaurant, which is located in the marina right next door to the sailing school.

Each season THE TRUE NORTH SAILING SCHOOL offers exciting CARIBBEAN CRUISING FLOTILLAS where you can earn A.S.A. BAREBOAT CHARTER CERTIFICATION while sailing from island to island through the Caribbean. Over the years we have introduced thousands of our students and club members to the greatest cruising grounds in the world.

Through our affiliation with "The Moorings & Sunsail Charter Companies" we have organized sailing events in the British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Belize, Croatia, Thailand and the Grenadines aboard 45 - 50 Ft. yachts. Singles, couples and groups are welcome. No previous sailing experience is required (Call for details.)

Just call Rick at the THE TRUE NORTH SAILING SCHOOL at (908) 489-0589. I'm sure you will agree that sailing at True North is the most convenient and affordable way to learn and continue to enjoy the beauty and excitement of Sailing.