Adult & Family Sailing
Registration for 2026 Catboat classes is now open
Using the uniquely versatile catboat as our vessel of choice, the Catboat Program focuses on developing sailing skills through a series of courses designed to help participants reach their potential regardless of their previous experience.
The Catboat Program began in 2019 by Suzanne Leahy, who brought her love of sailing and catboats together to create a community of PBCB catboaters. Peter Grumbling will succeed Suzanne as Catboat Program Coordinator. Peter has been instrumental in growing the program to what it is today as it continues to evolve to include classes encompassing all levels, a Friday racing series, participation in sailing events and Bay-wide catboat cruises; the goal of the program is to foster independence and confidence.
Participants will learn and practice fundamental sailing skills, including basic seamanship, sailing terminology and parts of the boat, boat handling and maneuvers, points of sail, knots and teamwork.
Our instructors are knowledgeable and adept at teaching to each participant’s needs. Each class consists of one instructor and two participants per boat, rotating instructors throughout the week, which adds to your experience of teaching and sailing styles.
Our fleet of Marshall Sandpipers is the foundation of the program. They are a versatile teaching boat having all the wonderful catboat characteristics: stability, large cockpit and ability to shorten sail. Our fleet is well-maintained, and all equipment is updated annually as needed. It is from this solid foundation that our instructors can successfully teach!
Catboat classes and programs are open to adults 18 years or older and run from mid-June through August. Both co-ed and WOW classes will meet in the catboat shop (the garage doors are directly next to our parking lot).
Please direct general questions about the program to Peter Grumbling. For help with class registration, please contact Registrar Ellen Peterson info@pbcb.cc or 508-945-7245.
Click here to see Women on the Water catboat sailing opportunities!
Stay Connected
The Catboat Newsletter is emailed weekly throughout the summer and monthly off-season. This is a fantastic resource for keeping up to date with events, seminars, and workshops. Program participants are automatically included in the mailing list but we invite anybody interested to sign up here.
All Levels
Weekly, Monday through Thursday
$500/week
Timing will vary – see our registration portal for details!
Our courses are open to anyone who has never sailed, or needs a refresher, and sailors with some experience who have never sailed a catboat. The course runs for four consecutive days and allows participants to experience varying weather patterns and instructor styles while learning basic sailing principles. This course is a wonderful introduction to catboat sailing, skills-building and the PBCB Catboat Community.
Beyond Classes
Have you taken a few classes, and now you’re looking for the next step? Are you hoping to take a skills check but need to build your confidence? Or maybe you’re a skills checked sailor that wants to continue their sailing education? We started the 2025 sailing season with a series of workshops covering rigging, heavy weather sailing, mooring and racing strategies. Check MyRec for the workshop schedules beginning in June and running every three weeks throughout the summer.
Racing
The Catboat Program welcomes catboaters of all levels to join our laid-back Race Committee for Friday evening races. We will share the water with the Flying Scot sailors, with a separate start for each fleet. Fun is the #1 prize! Second Place is a sense of community and Third Place is building up your skills, whether as a super crew or novice skipper. The main thing is to have fun; the by-product will be subconscious learning. We do follow rules, but there are no protests, no awards ceremonies, and no stressful competition. There are cookouts, get togethers, camaraderie, good laughs and another weekly opportunity to set sail.
To participate in racing, check out our Pleasant Bay Pass program.
Cruises
The Catboat Program will organize several Pleasant Bay Cruises based on tides and weather. This is adventure sailing at its best. One of our participants has dubbed this All-Terrain Sailing; you can guess what might be involved! We’ll use all of our Sandpipers and pile as many of you in the boats as is safe and comfortable. The cruises will be sprinkled throughout the summer and announced in our Catboat Newsletter, as well as posted on our website/program portal. Cruise dates will be announced throughout the season, based on tides and weather forecast.
Additional Opportunities
PBCB participates in several events including our own Sandpiper Invitational, the Chatham Yacht Club Regatta and the Arey’s Pond Cat Gathering. These events are open to qualified Catboat Program participants as skippers or crew. The level of competition goes up a notch or two in these events, but it is very friendly and fun.
Other events specific to the Catboat Program:
- On-water workshops with guest instructors
- Winter shore-side lectures
- Off season Coastal Navigation course