CATAMARAN SAILING AT JTOWN
JTown members may register for a catamaran clinic, taught by community members, hosted at JTown. You can apply to become a member, here. Members must be aged 19+ years. JTown provides a list of recommended pre-requisites for its courses, clinics, and old salt tests here.
Catamaran Program Overview
St. James Town Sailing Club’s Cat Program is an entry-level high-performance sailing program and a good opportunity to learn more about sail trim, apparent wind sailing and trapezing. This is not intended to be an extreme sailing program.
The Program follows the following structure of three (3) main helming categories:
- Cat 1 Helm,
- Cat 2 Helm,
- Cat Examiner
Cat 1 Helm and Cat 2 Helm categories are determined by an on-water test observed by one or more of the Cat Examiners. The evaluation considers not only skills, but also overall boat handling, and demonstration of on-water safety & overall sailing competency.
New members who are either Bronze Level IV/CanSail 3 certificate holders, or who have successfully completed JTown's Albacore Old Salt L2 test, may sign out a catamaran after successfully completing Cat Old Salt Level 1 Test. Sailors interested in sailing JTown's catamarans are encouraged to sail a few times with existing JTown Cat Helms prior to signing up for a Cat Old Salt Level 1 test. The Cat Helms List is posted on the wall in the clubhouse, and should be used to connect with existing JTown Cat Helms catamaran sailing.
Catamaran 1 Helm
To sail our catamarans, the sailor must be a JTown member, and have at least Cat 1 Helm status. Sailors interested in sailing JTown's catamarans are encouraged to sail a few times with existing JTown Cat Helms prior to signing up to an Intro-to-Cats Clinic, to gain practice prior to attempting the one day clinic and evaluation.
Catamaran 2 Helm
To achieve Catamaran 2 Helm status, a sailor must be a JTown member, and have at least Cat 1 Helm status. Sailors interested in being assessed as a Cat 2 Helm are encouraged to sail a few times with existing JTown Cat 2 Helms and Examiners, prior to signing up for evaluation, to gain practice and mentorship prior to attempting the evaluation.
Cat Examiner must demonstrate the above skills (See Cat 2 Helm), and, in addition:
- Helm the Catamaran from the trapeze and handle winds over 20 knots
- Is subject to Board’s approval
- Help inspect the boats twice a year for damages and arrange the necessary repairs in accordance with safety guidelines, working closely with Fleet Chair
For more information visit these links:
- Cat Clinics Info Sheet
- JTown Course Requirements & Pre-requisites Summary (Cat 1 Clinics)
- JTown Course Requirements & Pre-requisites Summary (Cat 2)
- JTown Course Requirements & Pre-requisites Summary (Cat 2 Old Salt Test)
- JTown sign-out requirements summary.
- Nacra 500 Trim Sheet
- Cat Program Manual
- Please also consult the Catamaran Safety Considerations document.
Intro to Cats Clinics
Our Intro to Cats clinics are open to club members who have not taken a cat clinic at JTown before, and are either Bronze Level IV/CanSail 3 certificate holders, or have successfully completed JTown's Albacore Old Salt L2 test.
Our Cat Clinics are run a few times during the sailing season by JTown's volunteer Cat Examiners who are either guest coaches or volunteer club members, willing to support the cat sailing community and help our members to improve their sailing skills. JTown's Cat Program is run solely by volunteer effort and the clinics are free.
The Cat Clinics offer an introduction to cat sailing at JTown and are not intended to fully prepare students for eligibility for cat helm status. These clinics do not follow a pass or fail grading system. However, during the Clinic the Cat Examiner may grant a Cat 1 Helm or Cat 2 Helm sign-out privileges to students who exhibit the skills outlined here, as well as demonstrate overall on-water safety and competency. Participation in a clinic does not automatically guarantee that catamaran helming privileges will be granted. Most students require considerable practice helming the cat under supervision, before they will be eligible for being granted Cat 1 Helm status.
The Clinics’ schedule for the day is usually as follows:
| Morning Dryland Session | Morning Session on Water |
Afternoon Session on Water |
Evening Dryland Session |
| Rigging |
Tacking |
Crew Overboard |
Review of the Day |
| Overview of Tacking and Gybing of Catamaran with Simulation on Land | Gybing |
Capsize & Recovery |
Safety Procedures |
| Upwind Sailing |
Docking | Individual feedback |
|
| Downwind Sailing | |
2025 SCHEDULE
This year we are offering three catamaran clinics, subject to instructor availability. There are also several community-led practice sessions to encourage the development of the cat sailing community.
| Click here to learn more! |
CONFIRMED |
|
|
Intro to Cats |
Entry Level |
June - Weekend |
|
Date |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
6/15/2025 |
9:00 AM |
4:00 PM |
| Click here to learn more! |
CONFIRMED |
|
|
Intro to Cats |
Entry Level |
July - Weekend |
|
Date |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
7/20/2025 |
9:00 AM |
4:00 PM |
| Click here to learn more! |
CONFIRMED |
|
|
Intro to Cats |
Entry Level |
August - Weekend |
|
Date |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
8/24/2025 |
9:00 AM |
4:00 PM |
| Click here to learn more! |
CONFIRMED |
|
|
Cat 1 building Cat 2 Skills |
Cat 1 Helm Required |
Sep - Oct Weekends |
|
Class Date |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
9/14/2025 |
1:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
|
10/12/2025 |
1:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
|
10/28/2025 |
3:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
| Click here to learn more! |
CONFIRMED |
|
|
Cat Race Practice |
Cat 2 Required for Helm |
Bi-Weekly |
|
Class Date |
Start Time |
End Time |
|
5/18/2025 |
3:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
|
6/1/2025 |
3:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
|
6/29/2025 |
3:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
|
7/13/2025 |
3:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
|
7/27/2025 |
3:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
|
8/2/2025 |
3:00 PM |
6:00 PM |
|
8/10/2025 |
3:00 PM |
6:00 PM |