Anchoring is one of the most important and rewarding skills a cruising sailor can develop.

This hands-on ASA 111 Speciality Clinic focuses exclusively on anchoring, giving students the opportunity to move beyond theory and practice the complete anchoring process aboard a cruising sailboat.

You’ll learn how to evaluate a potential anchorage, choose the appropriate equipment and technique, calculate scope, deploy and set the anchor, confirm that it is holding and monitor the boat’s position. You’ll also practice retrieving and stowing the anchor while using clear communication and crew coordination throughout the process.

The course includes discussion of common anchoring challenges, overnight considerations, preventing anchor drag and responding when an anchoring attempt does not go as planned.

What You’ll Learn

Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify common types of anchors and ground tackle
• Understand the advantages and limitations of different anchor designs
• Select an appropriate anchorage
• Evaluate wind, current, water depth and bottom conditions
• Consider protection, swinging room and nearby hazards
• Calculate appropriate scope
• Prepare the boat and crew before anchoring
• Deploy the anchor safely and under control
• Set the anchor and verify that it is holding
• Use visual references and electronic tools to monitor the boat’s position
• Establish appropriate anchor-watch procedures
• Recognize signs that the anchor may be dragging
• Respond to common anchoring problems
• Retrieve, clean and stow the anchor safely
• Communicate effectively between the helm and foredeck
• Plan a safe departure from the anchorage

The exact anchoring locations and sequence of practical exercises may be adjusted based on weather, wind and water conditions.

Prerequisites

Students must hold:

ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1

ASA 103 Coastal Cruising or previous cruising or anchoring experience is helpful but not required.

What’s Included

Course tuition includes:

• One full day of instructor-led anchoring instruction
• Classroom discussion and hands-on training
• Extensive on-the-water anchoring practice
• Course handouts provided on the day of class
• Use of the training sailboat
• Use of anchors, ground tackle and required sailing equipment
• Practical instruction in anchorage selection, scope and anchor setting
• Practice with anchor watch, retrieval and troubleshooting
• ASA 111 Speciality Clinic certification upon successful completion of the course requirements

No separate textbook or advance reading is required. Students will receive the information and handouts needed during the course.

Course Tuition

$425.00 per student

Format: One day from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Anchor with a plan, understand what the boat and ground tackle are telling you, and leave with the confidence to safely anchor on your own cruising adventures.