Cruising in class with Betty

Orange Coast College’s sailing fleet boasts renowned yachts such as

Pyewacket and Kialoa III.

Now add Betty to that list.

The most recent addition to Orange Coast College’s School of

Sailing and Seamanship is Betty, a Catalina 42.

Although the college has seen many big boat donations, such as Roy

Disney’s 86-foot Pyewacket and John Kilroy’s 80-foot Kialoa III,

Betty is the first big boat purchase the school has made in its 50

years.

Sailing Program Coordinator Mette Segerblom said the boat fills a

need in the sailing program -- it’s a cruising boat that is more

modern and more similar to something the majority of students would

purchase. And at around $200,000, it’s certainly more affordable than

a racing yacht or a larger cruising vessel.

“She just really presents an opportunity for someone to get

hands-on experience before they decide to buy a boat,” Segerblom

said. “This boat is really designed for family cruising and comfort

sailing, which is really the focus of our program -- teaching people

how to sail and how to enjoy the sport.”

Newport Beach resident Gabi Schwaiger, who’s been taking classes

at the sailing school for two years, was one of the students on board

during Betty’s maiden voyage.

“I just love it,” Schwaiger said. “It’s a brand new boat. It’s a

Catalina 42, which is a beautiful design.... It’s just an awesome

boat and we’re having great fun on her.”

Schwaiger moved to Newport Beach from Germany three years ago for

her job, which is based in Huntington Beach. After driving by the

School of Sailing and Seamanship every day for several months, she

decided that, having always enjoyed the water, she would like to

learn to sail.

“It’s been a fun thing,” she said. “Not only going sailing, but

also meeting fun people from all different walks of life.”

Segerblom said although Betty is smaller than some of the other

big boats, it is not a beginner’s vessel.

“Before you get on board Betty, you will have to have had some

sailing experience,” she said.

Students will need to complete Lidos courses and a couple of

Shields courses before enrolling in the basic cruising classes taught

aboard Betty.

Schwaiger has completed all the beginner courses, and this

semester she is seeking her basic cruising certification through U.S.

Sailing, which the school partners with for certification courses.

There are only five other students in her class, she said, which

makes it more personalized instruction, and each student has more

opportunities at the helm.

She said after this, she will most likely seek her bareboat

cruising certification, which would enable her to charter boats on

her own in most parts of the world.

“I think we really try very hard to provide a program that’s

accessible to everyone and provides our students with more than they

expect when they enroll in the class,” Segerblom said of the sailing

program at Orange Coast College. “Every time you go on the water,

you’re sure to lean something new.”

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at

(714) 966-4625 or o7lindsay.sandham@latimes.comf7.