443-615-4413
443-615-4413
⚓ Sell 🚤 Buy 🛒 Supplies ⛵ Charters 📷 Photo 📚 Blog
🔧 Boat Services 🧭 Captain & Coaching 🏁 Race Team ⛵ J/105 Clinics ⛵ J/22 Clinics 🤝 Crew Connect 👤 About
📞 Call Captain Shane: 443-615-4413
2026 Season · Annapolis Fleet

Best Boating's J/105 Clinic Series10 Sessions · April–September · Better Sailing, Bigger Crew Network

Pro-level coaching from Jahn Tihansky, former Navy Offshore Sailing head coach. But it's not just about getting faster — it's where owners find reliable crew, sailors find boats to race on, and the Annapolis J/105 fleet builds the rosters that win seasons.

Register Now View Schedule

Professional Coaching for the J/105 Fleet

This program is structured like a collegiate varsity offshore sailing practice — the same format Coach Tihansky used to develop national champions at the US Naval Academy for 19 seasons. Pre-sail briefings, structured on-water drills, drone video capture, and classroom debriefs.

But the clinics are about more than boat speed. Every session puts owners and crew together in a structured environment — practicing, debriefing, and building the kind of chemistry that turns a pickup crew into a consistent team. Owners expand their crew base. Sailors meet boats that need them. By mid-season, the fleet knows each other and the racing gets better for everyone.

Ten clinics from April through September. Each session has three phases: a Zoom pre-sail brief while you rig, coached drills on the water with drone coverage, and a post-sail classroom debrief. Whether you're an owner building a roster for the season or a sailor looking to get on the water with a competitive program, this is where it starts.

Coach Jahn Tihansky

Jahn Tihansky

Head Coach — J/105 Clinic Series

We're proud to have Jahn Tihansky leading this program. After 19 seasons as head coach of the US Naval Academy's Varsity Offshore Sailing Team, JT retired in 2023 as one of the most respected sailing coaches in the country.

JT's roots run deep in J-boat racing. He started racing J/24s in 1982, skippered at two J/24 World Championships, and won both the J/24 and J/35 North American Championships. At Navy, his teams raced J/105s in the Chesapeake Bay Championships and trained extensively on one-design keelboats. At J World Annapolis — which he owned for twelve years — he built racing programs around J-boats, training students who went on to compete at Key West Race Week, St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, and the Screwpile.

At the Academy, he took midshipmen with zero sailing experience and turned them into national champions — winning four Kennedy Cups, eleven McMillan Cups, and the 2019 US Offshore Championship.

JT brings a coaching philosophy built on teamwork, fundamentals, and repetition — exactly what makes this clinic series different from just showing up to race on Wednesday nights.

19Seasons at Navy
4Kennedy Cups
11McMillan Cups
12Years at J World

How Each Clinic Works

Three phases — every session, every time. This program is structured like a varsity collegiate sailing practice, not a casual Wednesday night.

5:00 PM
Phase 1 — Pre-Sail Brief

📱 Zoom Briefing from the Dock

One person from each boat joins a Zoom call while the crew rigs. Coach Tihansky lays out the day's plan — what drills you'll run, what to focus on, and how the session is structured.

Put it on speaker in the cockpit. By the time lines are off, everyone knows the plan. No confusion at the mark.

5:30 PM
Phase 2 — On-Water Practice

⛵ Drills at Horn Point Shoal

Boats rendezvous at Horn Point Shoal mark, ready to sail. JT runs structured drills — tacks, gybes, mark roundings, starts, spinnaker work. Drone coverage captures everything from above.

This isn't free sailing. It's organized, coached practice with specific objectives for every minute on the water.

After Sail
Phase 3 — Debrief

🎥 Classroom Debrief

Head to the classroom in Eastport. Watch your drone footage on the big screen, whiteboard sessions on tactics, and open Q&A with JT and guest coaches.

The on-water practice gives you reps. The classroom is where the learning sticks.

Vakaros Atlas 2 racing instrument

Vakaros Integration

The J/105 class has made Vakaros mandatory. If you're racing in 2026, you need to know how to use it — and how to use it well.

Our clinics incorporate Vakaros throughout the season:

  • Setup & Configuration — Get your unit installed and calibrated correctly
  • Start Timing — Use the countdown, line bias, and distance-to-line in real race scenarios
  • Lift/Header Indicators — Read the wind shifts and make smarter tactical decisions
  • Race Tracking — Record your races and review the data afterward
  • Post-Race Analysis — Debrief with actual data, not just gut feel

By the end of the season, you'll be using Vakaros like a pro — not just carrying it because you have to.

Don't have a Vakaros yet? We can help you obtain, install, and set up your device. Send us a text if you're interested.

2026 Clinic Schedule

Every two weeks, alternating Monday and Tuesday evenings. Starting the week before Annapolis NOOD.

Date Day Topic
April 27 Monday Clinic #1 — Season Kickoff & Assessment
May 12 Tuesday Clinic #2 — Starts & Line Positioning
May 25 Monday Clinic #3 — Mark Roundings
June 9 Tuesday Clinic #4 — Upwind Tactics
June 22 Monday Clinic #5 — Downwind & Gybes
July 7 Tuesday Clinic #6 — Crew Communication
July 20 Monday Clinic #7 — Light Air Technique
August 4 Tuesday Clinic #8 — Heavy Air & Reefing
August 17 Monday Clinic #9 — Race Simulation
September 1 Tuesday Clinic #10 — Season Championship

Boats should be on the water and ready to sail. Rendezvous at Horn Point Shoal mark at 5:30pm. Clinics run approximately 5:30–8:00pm.

📅 Add All Dates to Calendar
Captain Shane Kilberg

Your Program Organizer

Shane Kilberg is a USCG 100-ton Master Captain based in Annapolis. He's been racing sailboats for over 15 years — from the College of Charleston offshore team to the America's Cup shore team and media crew with American Magic to winning the Annapolis to Newport Race.

Shane runs Best Boating Annapolis and Drone US Aerial Services. He handles the logistics, crew coordination, and drone coverage while Coach Tihansky runs the on-water coaching program.

Every session includes drone coverage — capturing starts, mark roundings, and maneuvers from above. After practice, you get real video of your boat to review with JT. It's one thing to talk about a bad rounding. It's another to watch it from 200 feet up.

See Drone Work →

Part of the Best Boating Racing Team

This clinic series is part of a larger mission — building a racing community that's competitive, inclusive, and develops new talent.

Learn About the Team →

What You'll Learn

Coach Tihansky structures each clinic around the fundamentals that separate fast boats from the fleet:

Maneuvers & Execution

  1. Tacks & Gybes — Smooth, fast maneuvers that don't bleed speed
  2. Mark Roundings — Tight approaches, clean exits, gaining boats instead of losing them
  3. Spinnaker Sets & Douses — Clean hoists, controlled gybes, crisp takedowns under pressure
  4. Starts & Line Work — Timing, acceleration, and holding your lane off the line

Speed & Tactics

  1. Sail Trim & Shape — Reading the sails, adjusting twist, finding the fast groove
  2. Shifting Gears — Point mode vs. speed mode, and when to use each
  3. Crew Communication — Clear calls, efficient workflow, less chatter
  4. Race Tactics — Playing shifts, boat-on-boat situations, course strategy

Sessions adapt to conditions — light air days focus on patience and acceleration, heavy air days on control and confidence. Every sailor gets better when the fundamentals become second nature.

Who Can Join

Owners with Full Crew

You have a J/105 and a crew already lined up. Sign up as a boat, bring your team, and use the clinics to build consistency and sharpen your program. Practice together in a structured environment with professional coaching.

Owners Who Need Crew

You have a boat but need crew — or want to expand your roster. Sign up and Shane will match you with one, two, or as many clinic participants as you need to fill positions.

This is how you build a team. The sailors placed on your boat for clinics are learning your boat, your systems, and how you communicate. If they're a good fit, they become your crew for Wednesday night racing, beer cans, weekend regattas — the whole season.

We ask owners to make it a point to include the people they practice with. The goal is building lasting crew relationships, not just one-off sessions.

Sailors Looking for Boats

You don't have a J/105 but want to race one. Sign up as crew and you'll be placed on a boat for each clinic based on experience and numbers.

This is your path into the fleet. Show up prepared, work hard, and learn the boat. Owners are looking for reliable crew — and clinic participants who prove themselves typically find racing opportunities beyond the clinics: Wednesday nights, weekend racing, regattas, and more.

How Crew Placement Works

If you're signing up as crew without a boat, here's what to expect:

1
You register and submit a waiver — Tell us your experience level, positions you sail, and availability. All participants (owners and crew) must complete registration and sign a liability waiver before getting on the water.
2
Shane matches you to a boat — Based on experience, boat needs, and numbers, you'll be assigned to a boat for each clinic. You may sail with the same owner all season, or rotate to get different experiences.
3
You show up and sail — Boat assignments are communicated before each session. Treat it like a tryout — be on time, be coachable, and put in the work.

The goal is building real crew relationships. Owners get trained, reliable crew. Crew get on-water experience and a path to regular racing. Everyone wins.

Pricing

Commit to the full season for the best value, or drop in for individual clinics.

Full Season10 Clinics — Best Value
Drop-InPer Clinic
Boat Owners
$1,500
$150/clinic
$475
per session
Crew Members
$650
$65/clinic
$275
per session

What's Included — Owners

  • Organized practice sessions for your boat
  • Crew matching & placement
  • Drone video coverage & review
  • Off-water feedback & debrief
  • Vakaros setup & integration support

What's Included — Crew

  • Placement on participating boats
  • Structured on-water practice
  • Video review & feedback
  • Path to regular racing positions
  • Crew Connect network access

Season commitment = consistent practice = faster improvement. Drop-in available for those who can only make a few sessions.

How to Join

1
Complete Waiver

Review and sign the liability waiver online — Crew Waiver or Boat Owner Waiver depending on your role.

2
Submit Application

Complete the application with your details, experience, and goals for the season.

3
Complete Payment

You'll be directed to the correct payment page based on your participant type.

Sign Your Waiver

All participants — owners and crew — must sign a waiver before their first session. Click below to review and sign online.

⚠️ Important: The boat owner AND every crew member participating must each complete their own waiver and application. No exceptions — everyone on the water needs to be registered.

Boat Owners

Covers vessel operation, crew supervision, insurance requirements, and liability release.

Sign Owner Waiver →

Crew Members

Covers assumption of risk, liability release, and participant acknowledgments.

Sign Crew Waiver →

All participants must wear a life jacket at all times on docks or water. Participants under 18 require parent/guardian signature.

Submit Application

⚠️

Waiver Required Before Applying

You must sign and submit your waiver before completing this application. Please go to the Waivers section above, sign the appropriate waiver (Crew or Boat Owner), then return here.

Go to Waivers ↑

Complete Payment

Final step — select your option and check out securely.

Boat Owners

Loading options...

Crew Members

Loading options...

You'll be taken to secure checkout on bestboatingannapolis.com/shop

Ready to Get Faster?

The 2026 season kicks off April 27. Register now — whether you're bringing a boat or looking for a position.

Register Now →
Captain Shane

Questions?

Call or text Captain Shane: 443-615-4413

⚓Sell 🚤Buy 🔧Service 🧭Captain ⛵Charters 🤝Crew 📷Photo 🏁Racing 🛒Supplies 📚Blog