ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1 is where your sailing journey begins. Designed for new sailors with little or no previous experience, this two-day course combines practical instruction with extensive time on the water

You’ll learn aboard a 22-foot, tiller-steered Hunter 216, which is an excellent boat for developing a strong understanding of how a sailboat responds to the wind, sails, rudder, and crew. Classes are limited to a maximum of four students, giving everyone substantial hands-on time at the helm, trimming sails, and practicing each crew position.

The course is held Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. We generally aim to spend approximately four of the six instructional hours each day on the water, although the exact schedule may vary depending on weather and sailing conditions.

Upon successfully completing the course requirements, you’ll earn your ASA 101 certification and have the foundational knowledge and skills needed to skipper a 20- to 27-foot sloop-rigged keelboat during daylight hours in light to moderate winds and sea conditions.

What You’ll Learn

Throughout the course, you’ll develop practical sailing skills and an understanding of the essential concepts every new sailor should know, including:

• Basic sailing terminology and the parts of a sailboat
• How sails work and how a boat responds to the wind
• Preparing, rigging, and inspecting the boat before departure
• Raising, lowering, and trimming the sails
• Steering with a tiller and maintaining a proper course
• Points of sail and recognizing wind direction
• Tacking, jibing, and other fundamental sailing maneuvers
• Proper helm commands and crew communication
• Leaving and returning to the dock safely
• Crew-overboard prevention and recovery procedures
• Basic navigation rules and aids to navigation
• Required safety equipment and safe boating practices
• Essential sailing knots and their proper uses
• Basic seamanship, boat handling, and crew responsibilities

Because classes are limited to four students, you’ll rotate through the different positions aboard the boat. Everyone will have opportunities to steer, handle lines, trim sails, perform maneuvers, and work as part of the crew.

Prerequisites

No previous sailing experience or certification is required. ASA 101 is designed specifically for beginners and anyone who wants to build a solid foundation in sailing.

Students should be comfortable moving around a small sailboat and participating in hands-on activities aboard the vessel.

What’s Included

Course tuition includes:

• Online Intro to Sailing Prep Course to get a head start before class by learning sailing concepts online at your own pace.
• Two days of hands-on sailing instruction with an experienced American Sailing instructor.
• Saturday and Sunday classes from 8:30 AM–2:30 PM.
• Approximately eight hours of planned on-the-water sailing instruction, weather permitting.
• ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1 instruction, covering the knowledge and practical skills required by American Sailing.
• Small classes with a maximum of four students, giving you plenty of time at the helm and individual instruction.
• Official ASA 101 Sailing Made Easy textbook and course materials, mailed to you ahead of class so you can prepare before arriving.
• ASA 101 written examination and practical skills assessment.
• ASA 101 certification upon successful completion of the course requirements.
• All of your sailing time aboard our training sailboat, including use of the boat and all required sailing equipment.
• No-cost weather make-up session if severe or unsafe conditions prevent your class from completing the required on-the-water skills.

Sailing is naturally weather dependent. Whenever possible, we work around passing rain or lighter wind because there is still plenty to learn in changing conditions. If severe weather makes sailing unsafe, we’ll work with the class to schedule the necessary make-up time at no additional cost.

Course Tuition

$647.00 per person

Take your first step toward becoming a confident, capable sailor and reserve your place aboard!