Cruiser Courses

Captain Deb’s Sailing / Boating Courses

The purpose of these courses is to teach you the foundational knowledge of safety on the water so you can be comfortable boating and sailing and build your skills to competency. The goal is to have our waterways filled with competent, safe boaters, where we can have more people enjoying recreational watersports safely with fewer accidents and fatalities

Jump from the Dock to Cruising

Join Captain Deb for a 2-hour introductory course designed for beginner sailors to help you assess your readiness for safe and enjoyable cruising. Learn from a seasoned full-time cruiser who will guide you through foundational skills and insights to feel confident on the water.

This course will cover:

  • Understanding Boat & Crew Readiness: Learn the basics of assessing whether your boat, crew, and captain are prepared for a safe journey.
  • Weather and Navigation Essentials: Gain a beginner-friendly understanding of weather resources and how to choose the best times to sail (known as “weather windows”).
  • Navigation to New Destinations: Discover how to plan simple routes and make safe decisions to reach popular destinations like the Bahamas.
  • Key Equipment and Safety Gear: Find out which essential items, such as life rafts, GPS, and emergency beacons (EPIRB), are a must for safe travel.
  • Provisioning Tips: Learn how to stock up on food, water, and essentials so you’re well-prepared for your journey.
  • Basic Emergency Procedures: Understand the safety steps and equipment you’ll need in case of an emergency, including what to pack in a ditch bag.

This course is perfect for new sailors who want to build confidence, understand essential safety protocols, and learn the foundational steps to cruising. If you’re starting your sailing journey and want practical tips for navigating safely and responsibly, this course will set you up for success!

    Cruising Comfortably

    What truly defines comfort for you on the water? How can you achieve it without compromise?

    In this thoughtfully designed course, Captain Deb provides a wealth of insights and strategies for creating a comfortable, enjoyable cruising experience. From organizational techniques to practical tips for onboard living, this course empowers sailors to optimize every aspect of life at sea.

    What You’ll Learn:

    • Planning and Preparation Essentials: Dispel common myths and get to the core of what’s needed for a smooth, comfortable journey—from strategic packing to keeping the essentials that make you feel at home.
    • Storage and Space Management: Learn techniques for efficient storage, organizing your galley, and transforming your boat into a personalized, functional space.
    • Navigating Nature and Conditions: Gain confidence with Captain Deb’s tips on handling weather, adapting to the elements, and working with your boat to ensure safety and stability.
    • Cruising Beyond U.S. Waters: Get practical guidance on international navigation, including customs, duties, medical preparation, and other key factors for extended trips abroad.
    • Setting Realistic Expectations: Understand the realities of life at sea and learn how to maintain comfort and contentment on the journey.

    Perfect for those who prioritize comfort and organization, Cruising Comfortably offers practical, insightful advice for making your time on the water as satisfying and seamless as possible.

    Sailing South – The Thornless Path and Beyond

    This course, led by Captain Deb, covers the essentials of navigating the Thornless Path—a safer route south beyond the Bahamas toward destinations like the BVIs and Grenada.

    As sailors journey south, they face new challenges like shifting trade winds, strong currents, and mountainous islands that drastically impact passage planning.

    This course provides the knowledge and tools needed to safely navigate these waters, offering insights into why this route remained unexplored for centuries and how to adapt to its demands today.

    Who Should Take This Course:

    • Intermediate sailors planning their first extended voyage south: This course is ideal for sailors familiar with coastal cruising who want to gain confidence and avoid surprises when tackling more complex routes.
    • Those seeking practical tools for safe passage: Participants will learn about critical resources like weather windows, reliable shipyards, and anchoring techniques essential for long-distance cruising.
    • Sailors wanting to enhance safety and preparation: Captain Deb covers emergency procedures, personal security, and the importance of equipment like chart plotters, water makers, and ditch bags to ensure preparedness for challenging waters.

    This course is perfect for sailors ready to expand their horizons and navigate safely beyond the Bahamas, equipping them to make well-informed decisions and plan a successful journey south.

       Sailing and Boating’s

        “Rules of the Road Flash Cards”

      Contains over 35 cards to make learning and memorization easy.

      They are the perfect size of playing cards, colorful and laminated.

      The set includes: 

      • 12 Day Flags Cards
      • 12 Light Flags Cards
      • 11 Sound Signal Cards

      You will find your Day Flags, Light Signals, and Sound Signals.  Make this the easy part of the Captain’s test.

      This is a great tool if you are preparing for your captain’s test or to have aboard your boat when you are sailing at night.

      You will be confident and knowledgeable when you encounter vessels with their identifying lights system at night.

      Learn the “Rules of the Road” with these easy-to-use flashcards to ensure your safety whether you are passing a dredge or see the lights of a Tugboat towing a barge.

      (Our Sailing and Boating Rules of the Road flashcards meet the United States Coast Guard criteria for Navigation rules)

      Meet Captain Deb!

      Deb began her boating experiences as a child on Lake Chautauqua New York, and Lake Erie. Boating and sailing were safe and fun memories. Sailing began on Lake Erie in the late 70’s where sailing was competitive and fun. Deb sailed with the Tartan team from Mentor, Ohio and learned racing skills, dealing with extraordinary weather conditions and lots of fun. She attended a performance race clinic in Florida that sealed the dream! She was hooked. Her career took her to San Francisco where the sailing/racing in San Francisco bay was amazing.

      Testimonials

      Past students say

      I never knew what  that was, or why I was doing it, now I understand.”  “I have been in so many dangerous situations and I knew it my gut, and had no idea what to do, now I do!

      Dr. Bill Kirsch

      Deb you really did an impressive job  putting the logic of the courses, the clarity of the descriptions and content together, they are outstanding, great job!

      Ron

      The Rules of the Road class material was presented very well. It is highly recommended and will help both beginners as well as experienced to be safer sailors. Captain Deborah is a good instructor and her vast experience makes the course very worthwhile.

      Diane Silas

      Deborah was down to earth and engaging during the seminars that I took. She is personable, and willing to answer questions. I left my series of three seminars, feeling better about learning to sail.

      Danielle Rose

      Boating Basics tonight was a great start. I’m getting back into sailing and need all the education and inspiration I can get. Thanks so much for this!

      Priscilla

      Hi Captain Deb,
      I really enjoyed taking your seminars and seeing how you gently inspire confidence in the women through your example. Teaching from your boat in a beautiful location is also inspiring!  Thanks for the links. You reminded the women that sometimes they may need a licensed captain to certify their competence aboard for insurance purposes. That's somaething that the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association (CAPCA) may be able to help with, particularly for people in the mid-Atlantic states area, as well as in other eastern states. Good luck with your program of inspiration and empowerment!

      Lori

      Great, thank you.  Nice clear graphics and easy to read.  I have printed a copy for the boat.  This will be handy to use for cruising.

      Wanda

      Thank you for an Outstanding Class. I am a complete novice when it comes to sailing. After tonight, I Feel more confident about following my dream to sail. And you're a great teacher. I've taught for 40 years, so I know a good one when I see and experience one. Your passion, Knowledge, and delivery of information is off the charts! I look forward to more classes with you!

      Claudia Rose

      Deb is an absolute delight. I have taken three of her courses…Boating Basics, Rules of the Road and Charts & Chart Plotters.  I learned a great deal from each of her courses and had many laughs with Deb along the way.  I really like the Zoom format.  Deb is engaging and always encourages me to ask questions.  She is a wealth of knowledge.

      I have recently completed her Dream Builder program and I’m well on my way to “Living My Ocean Dream.”  I’m extremely grateful for Captain Deb! 

      Clara “CJ” Powell

      Captain Deb Marlor is the sailboat captain you want to follow. She lives on the water with the real experience of living in the environment. She is a woman of skill, discipline and order on the water to sail with the wind, teach others the ropes...or should I say the sheets of sailing. She has now written the best book I have ever seen that guides one through all the necessary steps to buy any boat. Navigating Buying a Boat by Captain Deb Marlor. I am using it to buy my next sailboat and so should you!