Checkout Policy & Protocol

Before using one of our charter fleet boats, you must first pass a sailing checkout to ensure you are comfortable handling the boat. Checkouts are not intended to be a lesson and minimal assistance will be provided by the instructor. Rather they are a thorough evaluation of a sailor’s skills with basic maneuvers, docking and understanding of right-of-way rules.

If a sailor does not pass the checkout, we may recommend one or more hours of private sailing lessons with instruction which may include a checkout. If you know you’re a bit rusty or would like more time getting acquainted with our boats and docks, please consider booking a private lesson instead of a checkout. You can make a note in your reservation that you would like to attempt a checkout during your lesson.

Checkouts are scheduled in advance. Walkups are not possible as instructors are engaged in lessons.

In order for your checkout to remain current, you must sail a boat in our fleet at least once every 12 months. If your check-out is not current, you will be asked to schedule and pass another sailing checkout.

After a USCG Licensed Captain at Windworks reviews their sailing resume, we will reach out to schedule a date and time to conduct a checkout. Check-out duration is correlated with experience and level of familiarization with the vessel the check-out is conducted on. Most checkouts are about two hours.

Checkouts are $195 for members and $295 for non-members plus the rental cost of the boat. The rental cost of the boat will go towards your first day of charter.

To qualify for a category of checkout, a sailor must have prior experience or certifications on a vessel similar in length/tonnage.

There are different categories of checkouts:

• Basic Keelboat: Day sailing on our Catalina Capri 22’s (outboard motor and tiller vessels)
• Basic Cruising: Day Sailing on our inboard diesel motors with wheel helms. There are two subcategories of this check out. Single helm vs dual helm. A dual helm check out is conducted on a 40 foot plus vessel and does qualify a member for single helm cruising. A single helm check out is conducted on a vessel 28’ to 38’ and only qualifies a member on a single helm vessel. To charter the Catalina 275s: A sailor must have prior inboard diesel experience as well as tiller.
• Bareboat Cruising: Multi-day sailing on our inboard diesel motors with wheel helms. There are two sub categories of this check out. Single helm vs dual helm. A dual helm check out is conducted on a 40 foot plus vessel and does qualify a member for single helm cruising. A single helm check out is conducted on a vessel 28’ to 38’ and only qualifies a member on a single helm vessel.
• Trimaran: Single or multi-day sailing on our Neel Trimaran 43'.
• Powerboat Single Screw: Day or multi-day sailing on our Camano 31 Trawler
• Twin Screw Power Catamaran: Day or multi-day sailing on our Fountaine Pajot 37'.

In order to schedule a checkout, a member will need to submit a sailing resume using this link