WHAT'S COMING UP!                            .

EACH YEAR WE TRY SOMETHING NEW!
This year we're trying a bunch of new things!  The 2004 schedule of activities has been posted to the calendars on the web site.  Everything is there and there's something for everybody.  Fun Sails, Moonlight Cruises, Parties, mid week sail outings, the works. 

More Convenient Ground School Dates: We've added Monday/Wednesday ground school dates,  Tuesday/Thursday dates, Saturday dates and Sunday dates as well.  Now no matter what your schedule restrictions are you'll be able to find a convenient date to take all of our ground school classes!

More Outings: Both Saturday and Sunday Group outings will be available this season.  Sunday's have traditionally been reserved for Private Instruction, but this season, group seasons will be available as well.   In addition, this spring will offer alternating  "Wonderful Wednesdays" and "Fantastic Fridays" evening sails which will be both relaxing long distance outings combined with a sprinkling of instruction, but the focus will be on relaxation and enjoying a great sail after a hard day at the office.  Not everyone can arrive at the docks by 6:30 on a weekday evening but for those who can, this could represent a tremendous value.  Officially these are 2-hr outings, but depending on conditions and the degree of gala onboard, potential exists to return "a bit later" than planned.  Keep your Captain "happy" and he might loose track of the time. 

Warning To Returning Students: If you don't already have outings booked through July you should seriously consider doing so now as the boat show has produced bookings as far in advance as August 2004.

New Course Offerings: We've added a Racing Clinic 5-hr class with the opportunity to participate in actual regatta events! Check our web site calendar for dates and times. We've added two new one night $80 seminars this season.  Engine Maintenance is a one night seminar that covers those pesky seasonal issues with both gasoline and diesel engines including outboards.  Basic troubleshooting of fuel, cooling, electrical and seasonal maintenance  issues will also be discussed.  Students will get to actually replace an impellor and bleed a fuel system.  Also 12 Volt Systems has been added this season to cover basic troubleshooting as well as proper installation of that new gadget on your boat. A discussion of charging systems and battery selection should prove to make this a popular seminar this season. 

New LOCATION! In April we begin operations in Savannah!  This Spring there will be 4 weekend two day fun sails about a 47' luxury yacht.  These programs are for pure fun for someone who wants to sample the ICW and bay sailing before stepping offshore for something a bit more involved.  We've had a lot of demand for this program and anticipate that the 4 weekends will fill quickly. Check the Calendar and description of Classes for more info.

Black Boaters Summit 2004: Windsong has been selected as the official training center for this year's Black Boater's Summit destined for the British Virgin Islands in August.  Last year there were 154 participants in the annual event and this year they will have the option of receiving their training in Atlanta prior to their trip.  We anticipate a lot of demand for ground school and outings as a result and hope that our returning students beat the rush by booking early.  If you want more details in person, come meet with Adrienne the BBS representative on Saturday at our booth during the boat show!

Greek Islands Here We Come: Be on the lookout for details of this year's "Fantasy Cruise" destination in June. The Greek Islands are a novel destination sure to fill the hearts and minds while satisfying the urge for long distance sailing. The final details are still in process, but pricing and further details should become final soon.

Want To Buy A Boat, But Can't Afford It? Windsong has just agreed to terms to offer boat ownership time shares aboard Hunter's newest 33 footer.  Only 7 participants will be permitted to opportunity to join this unique boat use program.  For only $390 a month you can use the boat 7 times a month.  More details will follow, but we are excited to be able to offer this first in a planned flotilla of time share vessels to our A.S.A. Bareboat Certified students. These vessels will not be available to the general public and the skill requirements will be high enough to ensure proper operation and care of the vessels. Once you buy into a time share, that's your boat and no one else can use it except the 7 time owners of that vessel.  Details will be available soon.  We are also looking for investors who would be interested in being an owner as well as a time share participant on a Hunter 33.

2004 Price Increases, BUT There Are Early Bird Savings!: Effective March 1st the new ground school prices will become $159, but if you register 4 weeks in advance the same "Early Bird"  $129 price will still be available.  Outings will become $55 per 2-hr class but when you book 8 weeks in advance the same $49 price will still be available.  Obviously Early Booking ensures a more efficient utilization of our resources and your sailing dollars.  Either way the quality and effectiveness of our programs is always a great value.  Just ask a fellow student and you'll understand why. 

IT'S BOAT SHOW TIME AGAIN
January 14-18 is the annual Atlanta Boat Show at the World Congress Center and this year will be better than ever.  Since last season there are two new entries into the market.  Select Yachts and Whitney's Marine, who will be participating in this year's show.  Windsong will be in booth #253 again (Just to the right of the center concession stand) this year with some unannounced specials and great trips planned offshore this season. Additionally Windsong has added  new Seminar Topics.  All seminars are free to the general public and this year's "How To Go Bareboat Chartering" will be very timely as charter season will shortly be upon us.  "How To Go Sailing" will also be a fun and informative topic for beginners or seasoned sailors alike.  Prizes and discounted programs will be available only to those who attend the sessions.  The following is are schedule.

WINDSONG T-SHIRTS & SWEAT SHIRTS! 
If you've already seen our Windsong logo white hooded sweat shirts and think they're great for keeping your ears warm while still being able to hear what's going on while sailing, here's your last chance.  We haven't ordered these in two seasons but we're taking orders now and up to the boat show so they will be available the week after the show.  These will only be available on a Pre-Order basis so order yours now.  Depending on the quantity ordered we hope to retail them for around $25 complete with the Windsong Logo. We still have a few $10 Windsong T-shirts if you would like to get one before they're gone. We will not be re-ordering any this summer. 

FOR SALE!  GOT SOMETHING TO SELL?  Try Our For Sale New Site Free.
Although we intend to limit items for sale to our student members, we will consider items submitted from the general public as well.  We'll play it by ear to see how it goes.  Just remember to let us know when the item is sold so that we can keep our web site current.  So here's the link Items For Sale.

SAILING STORIES NOW OFFERED AT THE WINDSONG WEB SITE
Our very own Pierre Russell "Has Left The Building" and taken his family on a 2 yr sailing sabbatical.  Checkout his most recent sailing journal entries as he travels the east coast with his twin 5 year old boys and wife Kim. (Stories).  So far both of the boys have fallen in the water (At separate times) and were saved by their life jackets!  Storms have threatened them and they've experienced several mechanical and electrical failures. A hurricane forced them to haul the boat out for protection and they've had some very close calls!  Every month has new and exciting bits of knowledge from a family who has done it!

Dave will shortly be adding photos from his recent sailing trips to Key West and the Dry Tortugas as well as from his delivery from Ft Lauderdale to Savannah.  If they don't show up soon, keep bugging him until they appear.  He has some wonderful stories to tell (and some valuable lessons).  Although not particularly sailing oriented, you may find some shots from the Blue Angels air show that he just attended in Jacksonville!

GOT A BUSINESS YOU WANT TO ADVERTISE?
As a suggestion from one of our students, we're starting a Student Business Links web page. If you own or are a principle in a business or hobby that you'd like to have included on this free links page, send us your web address and a brief description about your business and services. Any special discounts extended to fellow students should be mentioned as well.  Students would certainly like to do business with one of their own over a perfect stranger, so let us know about your business, service or hobby.

I HAVE TO BUY A GIFT AND HAVE NO IDEAS!

Let Windsong solve your problems.  Tell everyone to buy you sailing gift certificates for birthdays and holidays and you should do the same for them.  Annually Windsong offers gift certificates in any denomination or for any combination of classes or outings.  Let us know what you desire and we'll gladly ship you a gift certificate for that "Difficult To Buy For" person on your shopping list.  If you think that might be "YOU", make the job easier for others and have them give us a call! This also is a great way to encourage a friend or that special someone to take the plunge and go sailing with you!  

I WANT TO CHARTER A BOAT, BUT NOT SURE I KNOW ENOUGH.
At Windsong we are very responsive to student suggestions.  We are here to serve you and your needs and continue to rapidly implement ideas offered by our students.  Every Saturday at 3:00 we offer "Fun Sails" for senior students who want to charter a boat by themselves, but aren't sure about their abilities to do so. Fun Sails do have a Captain aboard for safety purposes, but what you do and where you go is up to you and the others aboard your outing.  These are not "Instructional" outings.  You are on your own to strut your stuff or merely to kick back and just enjoy some time on the water without all the "Tacking" and "Gibing" every two-seconds. We'd appreciate any feedback concerning our Fun Sails that would make them more appropriate to your needs. 

PLEASE, REACH OUT AND TOUCH US,                 We're listening!!

Many times student's suggestions are implemented on the spot!  We pride ourselves in our customer service and attention to the needs of our students. If you have thoughts or ideas, drop us a line or give us a call.  All things are possible; you just need to ask. 

We updated our communications system last year and the old phone number (404-256-6700) will be terminated in soon.  The new number (770-931-9151) has been in operation for almost two years but we still keep getting calls from students using the old number. The new number and communications link enables us to route your calls and hopefully catch you  in person the first time. "Telephone Tag" can consume a lot of everyone's time and that's not our goal.  Of course email always works and seems to be everyone's preference as it optimizes times that are convenient to everyone.  Just know that if you call when we are out, your call message is forwarded immediately to cell phones and beepers of all our staff.  If your call is urgent, someone will return your call immediately.  Otherwise, calls are usually returned as soon as we can break free, yet it is our goal to return all calls no later than 9 pm daily. 

Thanks!
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our students for their loyal support through the season(s) and encourage everyone to bring one new friend along each year as you sail.  As we grow and expand our operation, we want to make our products and services available to all who may be interested, but first, some one has to make the introduction.  Share the love of your sport with those who may be interested in our unique collection of programs. You'll be glad you did and so will they!