General Information & Club Rules

Adult Private Lessons (updated June ’13)

Adult sailing lessons are held Wednesday afternoons beginning at 1:00 p.m. They are conducted in a private or semi-private format, no more than four individuals to each instructor, depending on the type of boat being used for the class. You may sign up for adult lessons at one of the Open Houses, or talk to an instructor.


Docking Regulations (updated June ’14)

North Haven Casino is for the use of members and their guests only.

  • NO overnight docking except: Outboards under 12’ with stickers may be left overnight on the inner side of the western L-shaped float, with their motors in the down position to avoid damage to other boats. (13’ Whalers are not eligible for docking stickers � they are too big for this area).

  • Rowboats with stickers may be left overnight at the inner rowboat float.

  • Outboards and rowboats should have gunwale guard protection.

  • Outboards and rowboats without valid stickers will be moved to the town dock.

  • All members are urged to put their names on their boats and equipment (oars, lifejackets, etc.) so that we may contact you in an emergency.

  • Kayaks left at the Casino must have stickers and should be stored on the wharf, not the floats.

  • Visiting boats from other yacht clubs are welcome to dock for up to 30 minutes on the windward side of the floats weather permitting. Please do not leave trash at the Casino, carry your trash home!

  • During busy times in August, members are asked to please limit docking to three (3) hours.

  • To avoid crowding, please do not have your rowboat or small outboard put at the floats until you arrive, and arrange to have them removed when you leave for the summer.

  • Powerboats should dock on the windward side of the floats.

  • During the day, outboards should tail off bow-to at the regular floats to minimize congestion.

  • Sailing classes may need occasional dock space priority during class times.


Dropping off & Picking up Children (updated June ’13)

This is addressed particularly to the parents of Novices and Beginners. Please do not leave your child at the Casino more than 15 minutes before the start of class. Please pick your child up within l5 minutes of the end of class.

  • If we do not hear to the contrary, we will assume that your child has permission to go downtown after class.

  • We cannot be responsible for students when they are not in class, as instructors have other work to do, and need to eat lunch.


Membership (updated June ’13)

These are the membership guidelines:

  • The Casino welcomes new members and junior members and depends on membership dues to operate. Any questions about membership or the categories should be directed to the Membership Chair or a Casino Director. A candidate for membership, including non-permanent membership, must be proposed in writing by a regular permanent member. Letters should be sent to the Chair of the Membership Committee at the Casino’s mailing address.

  • Membership dues are payable by June 15. Payments made by June 15 will receive the discount. Members whose dues remain unpaid will be sent a reminder and their names may be posted at the Casino.

  • Please encourage the younger members of your family over 25 years of age to join the Casino as Regular Junior Members or as Individual Junior Members.

  • The Casino is a club, and once you have been elected a member, you are expected to continue paying dues according to your category of membership until you change the category or resign from the club.

  • Please make sure you inform the Casino of a change in your membership status or resignation. Do not assume we know.

  • All membership categories except Inactive/Sustaining cover occasional use of the Casino facilities by houseguests and family members who in the course of the summer visit infrequently. When on Casino property, such guests should be accompanied by the hosting member. Inactive/Sustaining membership does not include any usage by guests or family members

  • Honorary Members are entitled to full membership privileges and are exempt from paying dues. If you wish to support the Casino you may make a contribution to the Casino reserve fund. Family members and houseguests may compete in racing (the racing fee must be paid), however, the tennis tournament is open to Casino Members only.

  • Family members and houseguests may compete in racing (the racing fee must be paid), however, the tennis tournament is open to Casino Members only.


Moorings (updated June ’14)

The Casino does not have rental moorings. Please call Brown’s Boatyard at (207)-867-4621 if you are seeking moorings in the Thoroughfare. If you see a mooring with the word “Casino” it is for the club committee boat and other club boats. Please do not pick it up.


Proper Behavior on the Wharf (updated June ’13)

Please remember that the Casino is used by all members, young and old, and is not the sole domain of sailing class. You need to familiarize yourself with the rules of the Casino and make sure that your child knows them. Please note in particular the life jacket requirement, the diving prohibition, and the statement on supervision. Rarely has discipline been a problem, but we do reserve the right to remove any student from the floats or the program who unduly disrupts the class or other members of the Casino.


Proper Clothing & Equipment (updated June ’13)

Please note:

  • Life Jackets- Every student must bring and wear a life jacket. The Casino will not provide one. Vest models such as those made by Omega, Extrasport, and LL Bean (to name only three) are far more comfortable than the standard orange horseshoe types.

  • Clothing- Sailing is a wet sport. Your child should dress with the assumption that he or she will not be dry at the end of class. Students should not wear particularly good clothes. Lastly, there will most probably be many rainy and/or chilly days. Please make sure your child will be warm enough. He or she should bring a rain/wind jacket and a sweater to class every day, no matter what the weather, as extra clothes almost always prove useful.

  • Shoes-Students are required to Wear soft-sole shoes or sandals at Sailing Class and at all times on the dock and floats.

  • Sun Protection - We strongly urge you to protect your child with sunscreen even on cloudy days (SPF of at least 15), a hat, and/or sunglasses.


Sailing Classes & Tennis Clinics (updated June ’13)

No one is permitted to take sailing or tennis lessons unless the student or parent (in the case of minor children) have (1) registered, (2) completed the medical form, and (3) signed the liability waiver form, and there are no other previous outstanding charges.

  • Blank forms are available at the Casino, and may be downloaded from the website.

  • Billing is done at the end of the summer. Billing is done by week (Sunday-Saturday), (partial weeks will be billed as full weeks). Checks should not be handed to an instructor.


Scoring Races (updated June ’13)

Unless stated otherwise, serial races are run on a high-point system in which the overall leader has the most points. In each race, you receive points as follows:

  • 1 pt crossing the starting line

  • 1 pt crossing the finish line

  • 1 pt finishing the race in first place

  • 1 pt for each competitor you beat, assuming you finish the race and he crosses the starting line


Tennis Court Usage (updated June ’21)

The courts are available for the exclusive use of Casino members and their guests; however, guests may only play with their Casino host present.

  • Due to the deteriorated condition of the base for the har-tru surface, please do not sweep the courts after playing until further notice. This is intended to protect the stability of the lines and player safety.

  • A court may be reserved either on-line via the Casino website or, on the day of play, on a sign-up sheet posted on the tennis house door.

  • Reservations are limited to one hour a day per family.

  • Please do not sign up the same hour each day so others can also play at prime time.

  • As a courtesy to other members, if you have signed up and subsequently cannot play, please cancel your reservation either on-line or, if on the day of play, on the sign-up sheet posted at the court.

  • Please be on time for your reservations. If you are more than ten minutes late for your reserved court, your reservation is forfeited.


The Swim Test (updated June ’13)

You must provide your own Coast Guard approved life jacket for class. The swim test shows both your child and us that, in the event of a capsize, he or she will be safe in the water until rescued. The test is mandatory and must be passed every year. It will first be administered, rain or shine, at the beginning of July and again at the beginning of August. Students who enroll after these dates will take the test on their first day of class.

  • Novices and Beginners will swim with their life jackets from the ladder to the end of the dock (about 50 yards), and then tread water for five minutes.

  • Intermediate and Advanced sailors will swim without their life jackets to the far float and back (about 100 yards), and then tread water for five minutes. After treading water, they must demonstrate that they can put on their life jackets in the water.

  • As usual, the sailing instructors will lead the swim test by example.

  • All students should bring a towel and a dry change of clothes to the swim test. If, after three class days, a student has still not passed the swim test, he or she will not be allowed to remain in the program. However, in the past, nearly everyone passed on the first attempt. Many even considered it fun!

Youth Races (updated April ’21)

Youth races are open to anyone age l6 and under, and are held most Saturday mornings in both 420s and Optimists. There is also a special race for Optimists only, the Kent Cove Cup. (See Casino Calendar). We request that Novices consult the Head Instructor before racing as these races can often prove more frustrating than beneficial for them. Those who intend to race should plan to be at the Casino 60 minutes before race time (9:30 a.m.) so that they have plenty of time to rig and get to the starting line. Please keep in mind that Youth Races are not part of sailing class, and We will not always be able to help every one rig. We urge parents to help their yotmg racers rig. We also encourage parents, siblings, and friends to come out and cheer on their child. You can find out more about youth races by talking with your child’s sailing instructors. Unlike Sailing Class, which will be held regardless of weather, youth races may be cancelled. In the event of poor weather or no wind, please call the Casino after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning to learn whether or not the race will be held.