Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the program. Our foundational sessions are built to get sailors comfortable on the water even if you've never sailed a multihull before. The Advanced Sail Trim Masterclass is the one exception — it assumes you already have multihull racing experience.

Absolutely — many of our sailors come from a monohull racing background. The trim and weight-placement habits on a multihull are different from what you're used to, which is exactly the point: our programs are built to get you past that learning curve quickly with a coach on hand, not to leave you to figure it out alone.

Yes. Most of our training programs put you into a boat with a coach and other sailors, so you don't need to bring your own crew. It's a common way for solo travelers to get time on the water and meet other sailors on the island.

Three main programs: the 4-Day Intensive Training & Racing session, the Advanced Sail Trim Masterclass, and pre-regatta Training Clinic and Race Prep sessions. Each is built around a different goal, from building foundational multihull skills to sharpening race-day performance right before an event.

The 4-Day Intensive Training & Racing session is our most complete program — several days combining coached training with racing, best if you want a full, structured introduction or a deep block of time on the water. Training Clinic and Race Prep sessions are shorter and timed right before a regatta, designed to sharpen specific skills and boat setup ahead of race day rather than build skills from the ground up.

Sailors who already have multihull racing experience and want to refine the details — the habits that separate a solid club racer from a championship-level crew. It's not the place to start if you're new to multihull sailing.

Our core programs are small-group and coached. If you're looking for something more tailored, email us at info@sxmsailingclub.com and we can talk through options.

Diam 24 trimarans, Formula 18 (F18) catamarans, and an ORC 50 catamaran — a real range, from nimble two-person multihulls to a much bigger boat with a different set of dynamics.

The F18 is a high-performance, twin-trapeze sport catamaran considered to be one of the most exciting and dynamic multihull classes on the water. The Diam 24 is a one-design trimaran built for performance racing — light and quick to accelerate, and the boat behind our Diam 24 training and the Caribbean Championship Regattas. The ORC 50 is the biggest boat in the fleet, a 50-foot high-performance catamarancatamaran intended for extended coastal or open ocean passages.

More than you'd expect. The apparent-wind and load-management instincts a fast multihull forces you to develop translate directly back to tactical decisions on a J/70 — reading puffs, choosing downwind angles, anticipating when you're about to get overpowered. It's a genuinely useful off-season cross-training tool for competitive J/70 sailors.

Yes — our club racing calendar is open beyond training program graduates, and it's a good way to get on the water if you already have multihull racing experience. If you're newer to multihulls, we'd recommend the 4-Day Intensive session first, so you're comfortable with the boat before race day.

It's the top-level regatta series for the Diam 24 class, and part of our racing calendar. If you're training on our Diam 24 fleet, it's a natural next step once you're ready to race at that level.

Yes — alongside the Caribbean Championship regattas, we run a general club racing calendar throughout the season, which is a more relaxed way to get race reps in.

Yes — SMSC offers boat charters for visiting crews who already have the experience to sail our boats without a coach aboard.

It varies by boat and length of trip. Email info@sxmsailingclub.com with what you're looking for and we'll put together the right option.

Trade winds are steadiest from December through April, generally in the 15-20 knot range. That's our high season and the most reliable stretch for consistent training and racing conditions.

Princess Juliana International Airport has direct flights from major U.S. hubs including New York, Miami, Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, plus direct service from Toronto and Montreal — no multi-leg routing required from most major cities. Please note that routes change by season.

Swimwear, sun protection, water and a hat that'll actually stay on in the breeze are the essentials. We'll let you know ahead of time if a specific program calls for anything beyond that.

Start with info@sxmsailingclub.com — let us know which program or charter you're interested in and what dates work, and we'll take it from there.

Yes — SMSC is a non-profit association focused on nautical activities and high-performance multihull sailing in Saint Martin. As a volunteer-run non-profit, we also offer community sailing programs for residents who couldn't otherwise afford training fees or a membership.

Definitely — race committee, event logistics, boat maintenance, and coaching support are all areas where volunteers help out. Email info@sxmsailingclub.com if you'd like to get involved.