Frequently Asked Questions at MSA

What to bring to class?

Sailors should come to class prepared for changing weather conditions. Life jackets with attached whistle, proper footwear, hats, sun block, sunglasses, a filled water bottle, a towel, and a change of clothes are important equipment for sailors every day. On cold, windy and/or rainy days, sailors should bring warmer clothes and rain gear.

What happens on rainy days?

MSA classes are held rain or shine. Classes sail in the rain if the wind is not too strong, so students must bring rain gear and be prepared to sail. Appropriate on-shore activities will be conducted if sailing conditions are too severe.

What if we are going on vacation and will miss class?

If you know your child will miss a class, please tell the instructor ahead of time. If your child will be missing several classes, please tell the Program Director. If your child misses a significant number of classes, you might want to consider private lessons if you want your child to keep up with the class.

How may a sailor's progress in class be monitored?

Parents should communicate with their child's instructor before or after class time.

Can I watch my child sail? How can I get involved?

The best opportunity for parents to watch or sail with their child is during Saturday Sailing. We ask that you avoid being a visible presence during class time. Parental involvement is expected for Race Team members. All other parents are encouraged to speak with the Program Director if they are looking for ways to become more involved or if they have any questions about their child's class. The Director is at MSA all day and can usually be contacted while your child is on the water. Feel free to leave a message in the MSA office inside the Manchester Yacht Club or on the Director's voice mail at 526-8345.

Who is eligible for Saturday Sailing?

Saturday Sailing is for all MSA participants to try out what they have learned and for parents to sail with their child, if they so choose. Sailing is supervised from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. beginning June 28. You must arrive be 10:00 because the instructor will be out on the water after 10:00 and will not be available to sign you out. Members of all classes may participate in the boat used in class. Children are expected to be able to rig the boat themselves, with parental help if needed. The instructor is present to sign out the boats and supervise on the water and is usually not available to help in rigging, launching and de-rigging. Both children and parents must bring their own life jackets and wear them at all times. There may be a few Saturdays on which no instructor is available, so please check with your child's instructor or the Program Director as the summer progresses.

May I bring a friend to class?

Unfortunately, due to liability, MSA can not allow guests. Medical reports, swim tests, enrollment fees, life jackets, knowledge of the water and boat availability all prevent guests from attending classes.

Where can we store our privately owned boats?

Rack space is usually available for MSA participants. Demand for private boat storage has increased dramatically. MSA reserves the right to place and move boats as we feel appropriate. Please register storage of your boat with the Program Director.

Are boats available for away regattas?

Racers will participate in regattas throughout New England. Details about what regattas MSA participants typically attend and the arrangements necessary to attend these is available on the Race Info pages of this handbook and at the Race Team Orientation held at the beginning of each summer. At the discretion of the Program Director, sailors may charter an MSA boat for a fee and take it to a regatta. Sailors and parents must fill out the charter form, a copy of which is provided in the Race Team packet handed out at the Race Team Orientation.

Are there Instructor-in-Training opportunities?

There are generally openings for several Junior Instructors. This is a position hired during the winter by the Program Director. These sailors assist the Senior Instructors with morning classes. Junior Instructors are high school age sailors, highly recommended by their instructors, chosen by merit.

Pick-Up/Drop-Off Instructions

As many of you know, Tuck's Point was recently updated and there is now an area supervisor monitoring parking. Although parking in the lot is generally not allowed without a Manchester resident sticker, non-stickered cars may park in the lot for brief periods during MSA drop-off and pick-up. Last year we found that cars stopping on the roadway next to the Tuck's Point lawn created a very dangerous situation with children darting between moving cars. Therefore, please do not stop on the road, but instead pull into the lot to drop off and pick up your children. Parents may wish to accompany children across the road. Cars will not receive a ticket for brief parking at 9:00, 12:00, 4:00 or 5:00. The Manchester Yacht Club parking lot should not be used under any circumstances. This includes no dropping off, picking up, or turning around. This applies to both MYC members and non members.

Morning classes start promptly at 9:00 and are dismissed at noon. Instructors have only one hour between morning and afternoon classes, so parents are encouraged to arrive on time for dismissal. Instructors will stay with children until parents arrive. Afternoon classes start promptly at 1:00 and are finished at 4:00 for Sea Urchins and Opti Race Team, 5:00 for 420 Race Team.

If you have additional questions regarding the program, please do not hesitate to call the Program Director, Doug Nebel, at 978-526-8345 (during sailing season only) or the Registrar, Cindy Conway, at 978-526-1637 or any members of the MSA Board. Click here to download a complete list of the MSA Board of Directors.

Click here to download a printable version of the MSA Handbook.