Sailing U Making the Grade With Its Low Tuition : For $5 you will get a bargain, if not a degree, with advanced classes and top-notch speakers.

It may not be the most prestigious university in Orange County, but what do you expect for a $5 tuition?

Actually, Sailing U, offering advanced instruction in sailing, isn’t a real university at all. It doesn’t even have a campus, and you won’t receive a degree, but that hasn’t stopped more than 100 people from signing up for classes.

The free coffee and cookies and the $5 price tag have lured some, but others are attracted by the number of prestigious speakers, including America’s Cup skipper Bill Ficker and a promised appearance by Tom Whidden, tactician for the current cup campaign of Dennis Conner.

The program is the brainchild of Bob Hickman of North Sails in Huntington Beach, and is jointly sponsored by North Sails, West Marine Products and Santana Magazine. Classes began in June and will continue throughout the year.

One of the main goals of Sailing U, according to Hickman, is to attract more people to the sport by generating renewed interest in sailing.

“Sailing has been on the decline,” Hickman says. “Southern California boaters are destination-oriented. And although sailing is very good for relaxation, when you explain to someone that it’s going to take you five or six hours to get to Catalina in a 30-foot boat. . . .” he threw up his hands.

But for Hickman and other avid sailors, the attraction is not just going from point A to point B. It’s how fast you can tack around the buoys, how you can get the best performance out of your sails, or how you can spend an entire day on the water doing nothing.

“One of the best things about sailing is going out on the water with family and friends and having a nice day,” Hickman says. “It’s quiet and effortless and good for the kids.”

And it’s affordable, he points out. “Because interest in sailing is down, prices are down. It’s a buyer’s market on sailboats right now. A great time to get into the sport.”

Beginners can find a 20-footer for around $1,500, he says.

Sailing U programs cover both cruising and racing--including everything from the most basic level all the way to America’s Cup tactics, Hickman points out. Seminars are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the North Sails loft at 15221 Transistor Lane in Huntington Beach. Admission is $5 per program.

The Nov. 5 program will be on marine electronics. At 6:30 p.m. tours of the loft are offered and to Hickman’s surprise, the tours have been a real hit with participants. Last month’s tour included a stop at the computer where one of North Sails’ employees was hard at work designing a sail.

“I couldn’t tear the people away,” says Hickman. “So many people were interested that we are going to do an entire Sailing U program on computer designed sails one night.”

Hickman admits that Sailing U is not designed for someone who has never sailed. “If you’re thinking of getting into sailing, you probably wouldn’t come here,” he says. “You’d join a sailing club or go take lessons first.”

Hickman, who used to teach sailing, says: “Anyone can learn to sail in no time. Sailing by routine is easy to do. If I can teach an 8-year-old kid how to navigate the bay in a week, I can teach an adult to sail. But the difference between the beginner and the guy who can get there faster is phenomenal.”

And that’s what Sailing U is all about, he says. Hickman believes that even novice sailors can get something out of the program. “Simply by coming to all the seminars and absorbing the information we have to offer you’ll learn a lot.”

So far reaction has been good. The first session drew a maximum of 100 persons. Because space is limited, reservations are required and may be made by calling the sail loft at (714) 898-1234.

“The only complaint we’ve had,” Hickman says, “was about the coffee the first night. And that’s because I made it. I had never made coffee for 100 before. We have somebody else doing that now.”

Racing Series: Dana Point Yacht Club will hold its second annual Doheny Series Saturday and Sunday. The races will be sailed off Dana Point Harbor on Olympic type courses. Entry fee is $10. For additional information call Howard Schutter at (714) 496-8672.

Slips Available: Slips are available at the new 430-slip marina at Newport Dunes in Newport Beach, according to Tom Welch, director of marine facilities. Under construction since Jan. 1, the marina features extra wide concrete docks with berths ranging from 22 to 46 feet. Tenants will have full use of the recently renovated Dunes, including the pool, spa, clubhouse, fitness center and laundry facilities. Slip prices start at $11.50 per foot. For information call (714) 729-1100.

Women Sailors: New officers will be elected when the Women’s Ocean Racing Sailing Assn. meets Tuesday at the Dana Point Yacht Club. Activities begin at 6:30 p.m. Topic for the evening program is “Cruising the Channel Islands.” For membership information, call Shannon Aikman, president, at (714) 721-0172.

Navigation and Maintenance: Two new classes, one in navigation and one in engine operation and maintenance will be offered this fall by the Dana Point Harbor Youth and Group Facility, 24451 Ensenada Place.

The navigation class is aimed at the weekend boater and teaches skills necessary to plot courses and use charts. Fee is $37. The class will be held each Wednesday from Oct. 30 through Nov. 20. Meeting time is 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The maintenance tasks that must be performed on a diesel engine to ensure reliable operation and minimize repairs will be the subject of a class to be held each Monday from Oct. 21 through Nov. 25. Cost is $35, plus $12 for an optional textbook. For information call (714) 661-7122.

Boat Show: The 23rd Annual Long Beach Boat Show will be held Oct. 30 through Nov. 4 at the Long Beach Convention Center. This year’s show will include the addition of an in-the-water display area for up to 60 larger pleasure boats. Tram service will be provided from the show to the nearby downtown marina.

The show is produced by the Southern California Marine Assn., 1006 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, (714) 633-7581.

User Fee: The Coast Guard has announced that strict enforcement of the new boat user fee has begun as of Oct. 1. Boats more than 16 feet in length (except for row and paddle boats) must display a valid decal. Fees are $25 for boats from 16 to under 20 feet; $35 for boats from 20 to under 27 feet; $50 for boats 27 to under 40 feet, and $100 for boats 40 feet and over.

For information on the user fee, call (800) 368-5647. You can order the decal using your MasterCard or Visa by calling (800) 848-2100.