Students learn to sail a boat of about 20 feet in length in moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. No prior experience is required to take this class.

Our week-end public ASA Basic Keelboat course is limited to 4 people so you get plenty of personal instruction. The course combines classroom and on the water instruction. When you complete Basic Keelboat certification, you will have enough practical experience to skipper a sailboat of about 22′ in light to moderate winds.

Students will learn to skills to perform as skipper or crew of a 30-50 foot boat by sailing in coastal waters. Upon completion students will be able to demonstrate the ability to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (outboard or inboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet length by day in moderate winds and sea conditions.

Students will learn to pilot a sloop rigged keelboat, 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise on inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and seas. Topics to be covered include provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, routine maintenance, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health & safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operation.

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 class 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.  

In this 4 day class, students will learn the navigational theory and hands on skills needed to safely sail a vessel in near coastal or inland waters with a focus on real world, practical navigation in a class room setting. Students move from dead reckoning to more advanced piloting incorporating current, leeway, and GPS navigation. Students learn to use tide and current tables, light lists, Chart No. 1, Notice to Mariners, and other tools.

Students will learn how to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailboat 30 to 50 feet in length in near coastal and inland waters, in any wind and weather conditions. Course syllabus includes: Proper selection of sails, local weather, “heaving to”, towing and using a dinghy, understanding boat limitations, emergency preparedness, nautical customs and courtesies, and night time man-overboard drills.

ASA 101-105 are all prerequisites.

Students will learn how to pilot a cruising catamaran between 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day live-a-board cruise in near coastal waters. At the end of the class, students will be able to sail in moderate to heavy winds and sea conditions. Course material includes: catamaran structure, components & features, performance under sail and power, safety, heavy weather operation, and emergency response.

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.

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.