Star Education and Access Program

Vision: Increase International Star class membership and participation.

Mission: Provide education and access to Star sailing for experienced sailors. Sailors will be loaned a complete boat (sails are possible) and will be asked to properly maintain the boat and all its equipment for the period it remains under their control. Mentors will be provided from time to time to help sailors new to the Star class. This Program is intended to be a stepping stone into the class for experienced sailors new to the Star or trying to participate in an event from abroad. We look to continuously involve new people to the program and allow them to graduate into their own boat ownership and involvement in the class.

Venues: SEA launched its pilot program in 2024 with SEA by Schoonmaker in South Florida. The Star Class intends to study other suitable venues and operators for SEA programs throughout the world.

SEA by Schoonmaker program: Based in South Florida, Boats are available to qualified sailors from any country.

Terms: A boat can be borrowed for a single regatta or multiple regattas given experience, program details and boat availability. We are looking to provide boats separately for the Miami seasons and major championships. As we continue to grow over the years and learn about usage we will make adjustments as needed to lengths and locations.

Insurance: Star Class borrowed boat insurance MUST be purchased for each event a boat is used. The grantee will be responsible for the deductible of $250 on any claims and the cost of any uninsured parts. The mast, boom and sails are uninsured while racing. SEA participants could be charged up to, but not exceeding $2,250 for damages to uninsured items.
Star Class Borrowed Boat Insurance

Requirements:

1. Must be 20 years of age.
2. If awarded a grant, must be a Star Class Member.
3. Must have prior sailing experience in technical and competitive classes of Star Class.
4. Shall post on social media about your time with your boat.
5. Take care of your boat in accordance with SEA Program requirements.
6. Log hours on boat, hours on sails, and any maintenance needs to the form on the SEA Program page.

General Interest Form: The general information form is a contact form if you are interested in the program, would like to discuss in more detail with a committee member and you can share your interest in future considerations.

Application: This SEA application form is to be used if you are ready to go racing. That includes committing to any financial burdens, insurance fees and so on for the duration of your grant. 

You will be asked some general questions and then questions specific to your term wishes. The responses will be collected and reviewed by the oversight committee. You will receive a response shortly after we have received your application. Again, if you are just generally interested in the program, would like to be placed on an interest list for future considerations, or any other matters please use the other form.

Application deadlines and approval timing: Each year, the SEA Committee will allocate boats for various events based on the allocation criteria. We view the Miami Winter Series as a season-long commitment or on an individual event basis. Bacardi, and other major events held in Miami during the spring will require an additional application/agreement between a grantee and the committee. Any major events held in the US during the year will also be subject to an application/agreement renewal. The grantee is encouraged to describe their goals, and planned regattas to allow for smooth usage and transitions between events.

Applications for the Miami Winter Series single event usage is due 40 days in advance of the event. If you would like to use a boat for the entire season or multiple events, please describe that on your application and the committee will work with you to see if that is possible. The committee will review your application and respond to you, at the latest, 1 month before each Winter Series Event.

Applications for the 2025 Bacardi Cup are due by January 15, 2025.  A response will be sent back to you by the end of January.  Other major events (Springs, Westerns, NA’s etc.), if boats are made available, are due 3 months prior to the event and the committee will respond to your application 10 weeks before the event is due to start.

Allocation: Boats will be allocated by the SEA Program oversight committee according to qualifications, plan of use of the Team, demonstrated interest/involvement in the class and future Star sailing. If the boat or equipment is not being used as agreed or not being used properly, SEA will notify the borrower in writing. The borrower will have 30 days to correct their deficiency (s). SEA retains the right to recall the boat and all its equipment at any time. In the case of single use allocations, the oversight committee will keep that performance in mind for future applications.

SEA program allocation weighting, in order of importance:

1. Planned regatta schedule
2. Resume and goals
3. Intended involvement with local Star Class Fleet and district
4. Recommendations
5. Boat maintenance experience

Current SEA Oversight members are:

Danny Cayard ​​(NA)
Bobby Lippincott (NA)
Jack VanderMolen (NA)
Pedro Trouche (SA)
Elizabeth Escalera (NA)
Kilian Weise (Europe)
Nic Pro (NA)
Brandon DePalma (NA)

What is provided:

• Boat, mast, boom, pole, trailer, all running rigging, all safety equipment.
• If you need sails, please indicate on application.
• A user’s manual: operating and maintenance guidelines.

What you need to provide:

1. Your life jackets.
2. Your sails if you prefer to use your own.
3. Social media posts about your experience and SEA program.
4. Perform regular maintenance on your boat during the duration of your grant.
5. Report any major damage or maintenance required after each event of your usage to John MacCausland, Project Manager for SEA by Schoonmaker.
6. Log hours of boat and sails used in log book.

Join the SEA Team

If you’d like to donate your boat or contribute financially to the SEA program in the USA or another country, please contact SEA@StarClass.org.

Fleet Tools

• Log into Membership Section
• Annual Report
• Monthly Report
• Change of Boat Ownership
• Duplicate Measurement Certificate
• SEA Program
• Merchandise Shop
• Borrowed Boat Insurance
• Application to Host Championship
• Notice of Race Template-Silver Championships
• Sailing Instruction Template-Gold Championship
• Race Management Policies & Procedures - (Jan 2024)
• Support U30 Sailors
• Buy/Sell

DISTRICT CONTACTS