This is a 2-day, hands-on course covering the basics of sailing and boat handling on a 30’+ sized sailboat. Max of 4 students per class.

Course Content:  Getting Underway, Boat Balance, Docking, Securing the Boat, Points of Sail, Tacking & Jibing, Sail Trim, Controlling Angle of Heel, Heaving to, Reefing, Crew Overboard Drill, Solo Checkout, & Written Exam.

Prerequisite: None

This is a 2-day overnight course. Students will learn the fundamentals of large boat cruising in preparation for skippering on larger bodies of water. Max of 3 individual students or 2 couples per class.
Course Content:  More hands on experience with Course 101 content. Additional content includes Boat Systems & Battery, Electrical Panel & Engine, Prop Walk & Docking, Rules of the Road, Sound Signals, Buoys, Lights, VHF, Cruising Tips, Navigation, Chart Problem, Safety Systems, Heavy Weather Sailing, & Written Exam.
Prerequisite:  ASA 101 Basic Keelboat (Qualified sailors may test out of 101 by passing the Basic Keelboat written test, and demonstrating on-the-water proficiency)*

*Fee associated with ASA 101 Test-Out.

This is a 2-day live-aboard course. Boarding the first day at 9:00 a.m. and staying on the boat overnight and going until 6:00 p.m. on the second day. Max of 3 individual students or 2 couples per class.
Course Content:  The course is structured along the lines of an actual charter. It leverages everything learned in Course 101 and 103. Additional content includes the areas of Provisioning, Meal preparation, working with charter companies, Boat Systems, Emergency Procedures, Safety, Anchoring, Navigation, Cruising Tips, & Written Exam.

Prerequisite: ASA 101 and ASA 103

A 3-day, 2-night course covering the material of ASA 101 Basic Keelboat and ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising. Recommended for experienced day-sailors who are interested in cruising, but need the 101 certification first.

It often makes sense for students to combine 2 or more ASA certifications into one extended class.  We can save experienced sailors time and money by allowing moderately experienced sailors to test out of a lower certification.  Or for those with limited time away from work, you can earn multiple certifications into a shorter period of time.

The ASA 103/104 course is a 3-day, 2-night course covering the material of ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising and ASA 104 Bareboat Charter.  The course is built like a short charter vacation and is great for families or couples interested in chartering in the Caribbean.  

The ASA Coastal Navigation Course (ASA 105) is a two-day (16 hour) classroom course with SailTime’s Capt. Jim Johnson. In addition to being a sailing instructor, retired airline pilot, and meteorologist, Capt. Jim is an experienced lecturer, having led seminars in marine weather forecasting for years. He is the perfect teacher to guide you through and demystify a subject with the reputation of being very complicated.

Students will learn the navigational theory and practical skills required to safely pilot a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters with a focus on real world, practical navigation. Students progress from dead reckoning to more complicated piloting incorporating current, leeway, and the integration of electronic navigation. Students learn to use tide and current tables, light lists, Chart No. 1, Notice to Mariners, and other tools.

Materials are sent out ahead of time, and students will be given assignments to prepare them to hit the ground running Saturday morning.

Prerequisite: None

Instructor and students sail across Lake Michigan from either Racine or Winthrop Harbor and arrive in Holland MI. This is typically a three-day, two night live-aboard course, staying on the boat two nights, and going to 5:00 p.m. on the last day. Max of 3 individual students or 2 couples per class.

Course Content:  Proper Selection of Sails, Local Weather in relation to thermal winds, “heaving to”, towing and using a dinghy, understanding boat limitations, emergency preparedness, nautical customs and courtesies, nighttime man-overboard drills, and a written exam.

Prerequisite:  ASA 104 and ASA 105

This 1-day course is designed to teach docking in high wind situations. It covers the basic theory and hands-on techniques needed to dock and undock boats in an efficient manner and without damage or injury.

Course Content:  After reviewing study materials prior, students will spend an entire day on the boat practicing what they learn. Topics to be covered include forces that act on the boat, engine and rudder control, properly securing mooring lines, spring lines, safety, and crew responsibilities.

Prerequisite: None