Abbot Fletcher Sailing School
AFSS operates under the aegis of the Orr’s-Bailey Yacht Club (OBYC), a non-profit, all- volunteer club established in 1954.
For more than 25 years, AFSS has provided Beginner, Intermediate and Racing-level sailing instruction from the club’s facilities located on Orr’s Island, Harpswell, ME. We serve year-round residents, summer residents and summer visitors. Classes run for six weeks in 1 or 2-week sessions starting in late June or early July and are open to students ages 8 – 18.
A typical season sees 70 to 85 students enroll in the program. “Safety and Fun” are core values, along with the goal of instilling a love of sailing and an appreciation of the Maine coast.
Our staff is certified by US Sailing. Numerous students come back year after year, many have gone on to become instructors, and all have come away with better boating skills and a good summer experience.
Instruction is provided in Optimist Prams, Club 420s, and a Rhodes-19 keelboat.
Our program enrolls youth from ages 8 through 18 for either one- or two-week sessions. Instructors and staff work closely with student sailors through all aspects of the programs for instruction, coaching, and safety.
Beginner Classes (Morning Sessions):
Students enrolled in beginner classes will receive comprehensive instruction covering foundational sailing concepts, both in classroom settings and practical on-water exercises. Topics include sailing terminology, basic sail trim and points of sail, steering and maneuvering techniques, tacking and jibing, safe navigation around other vessels, docking procedures, and essential knots and tie-downs. Typically, beginners commence sailing in Optis on the second day of instruction. Enrollment in each class is limited to a maximum of 12 sailors.
Intermediate Classes (Afternoon Sessions):
Building upon the beginner curriculum, intermediate classes aim to develop students’ proficiency and self-assurance necessary for independent sailing. Instruction focuses on advanced boat-handling appropriate for higher wind conditions typical of afternoon sessions. Skill refinement includes enhanced situational awareness and sound judgment while on the water. Both Optis and 420 sailboats are utilized. These sessions equip students with the competencies required either for entry into competitive racing programs or for ongoing skill development in a recreational context. Maximum class size is 12 sailors.
Racing Class (Afternoon Sessions):
Designed for experienced sailors, the racing program emphasizes advanced boat-handling and tactical approaches such as roll-tacking, spinnaker deployment, precision steering, buoy rounding, right-of-way rules, and wind shift analysis. Teamwork is also fostered throughout the course. There are two two-week sessions and sailors can elect to participate in one or both. Each session features one regatta day which enables racers to gain experience racing, engage with peers (sometimes from other programs), and cultivate a spirit of healthy competition. Each two-week session accommodates up to six racers.