Events
- Principles of celestial navigation and why it still matters
- Celestial sphere, time (UTC, zone, GHA/LHA), and navigational almanacs
- Sextants: anatomy, care, index error, dip, and precision technique
- Sun sights (AM/PM) and the classic noon sight for latitude & LAN
- Sight reduction using HO‑229 / Pub. 229 or Pub. 249
- Plotting Lines of Position (LOPs) & running fixes on plotting sheets
- Star & planet sights; body selection & planning
- Moon sights & parallax considerations
- Position Fixes: single‑body intercepts to multi‑sight fixes
- Integrating cel‑nav with modern tools and passage planning
- Exam for ASA 107
- Wednesday, April 15: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday, April 16: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Friday, April 17: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday, April 18: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sail theory and hands-on practice
- Navigating common sailing terminology
- Key safety equipment and procedures
- Crew overboard recovery techniques
- Mastering essential sailing knots
- And much more!
- Saturday 8:30am – 2:30pm
- Sunday 8:30am – 2:30pm
- Thursday 9:00am – 4:00pm
ASA 101 – Basic Keelboat Sailing
ASA 103 – Basic Coastal Cruising
ASA 104 – Bareboat Cruising
- Sail theory and hands-on practice
- Navigating common sailing terminology
- Key safety equipment and procedures
- Crew overboard recovery techniques
- Mastering essential sailing knots
- And much more!
- Saturday 8:30am – 2:30pm
- Sunday 8:30am – 2:30pm
- Sail theory and hands-on practice
- Navigating common sailing terminology
- Key safety equipment and procedures
- Crew overboard recovery techniques
- Mastering essential sailing knots
- And much more!
- Saturday 8:30am – 2:30pm
- Sunday 8:30am – 2:30pm
- Thursday 9:00am – 4:00pm
ASA 105 COASTAL NAVIGATION | APRIL – MAY | MADISON, WI: $457.00
ONLINE - Virtual InstructorThis course teaches navigational skills required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. This is a perfect course to better understand coastal navigation and how you interact with the world around you. Beyond your GPS, you’ll learn skills to safely navigate waters that include tidal and current changes. In this course you will learn chart reading, maritime publications, navigation equipment, tide and current tables, plotting position, bearings, running fixes, set and drift, navigation lights, day shapes, buoyage systems, current and leeway and much more.
Format: Hybrid Instructor Led Training via ZOOM – followed by 2 days In Person at Hoofer Sailing Club – UW Madison. This course is offered as a 5 remote 3 hour sessions, followed by a Saturday, and Sunday, 8 hours each day.
Thursday, April 2nd – 6:00-9:00pm (virtual instructor via Zoom)
Thursday, April 9th- 6:00-9:00pm (virtual instructor via Zoom)
Thursday, April 16th – 6:00-9:00pm (virtual instructor via Zoom)
Thursday, April 23rd – 6:00-9:00pm (virtual instructor via Zoom)
Thursday, April 30th – 6:00-9:00pm (virtual instructor via Zoom)
Saturday, May 2nd – Times TBD (in-person at Hoofer Sailing Club)
Sunday, May 3rd – Times TBD (in-person at Hoofer Sailing Club) – Review & Exam
Celestial Navigation Workshop (American Sailing 107): $1,247.00
Ocean navigation, done well, is incredibly rewarding. Anybody can stare at a GPS—true seamanship is knowing where you are by the sun, moon, planets, and stars. This intimate, four‑day, hands‑on workshop gives you the knowledge and inspiration to navigate like generations of mariners before us.
Dates & Times:
ASA 101 Keelboat 1 | May 30th & 31st | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $597.00
South Shore Yacht ClubReady to embark on your sailing journey? This course is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to learn the art of sailing. You’ll gain the essential skills and confidence needed to sail a 20-foot boat in light to moderate winds and calm waters without the need for supervision.
Throughout this comprehensive course, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of keelboat sailing, including:
By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to confidently handle a boat and enjoy time on the water.
Course Format:
This course is offered as a 2 day weekend course over Saturday and Sunday.
ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising | June 1st & June 3rd | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $1,497.00
South Shore Yacht ClubThis course is the next step into the world of coastal cruising. It provides the necessary knowledge to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 28 – 35 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions. You will learn the basics of daytime coastal cruising in moderate wind and sea conditions including the recommended safety equipment, forecasting weather, reading navigational charts, marlinspike seamanship, boat handling under sail and power and more.
Over several days you’ll eat, sleep, and sail on the water while building real cruising confidence.
Format: 3 Day Live-aboard.
ASA 118 Docking Endorsement | June 4th | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $697.00
Join us for our docking endorsement course where you’ll learn strategies and techniques to safely and efficiently dock a 30’–32′ auxiliary-powered sailboat in a variety of conditions. Extended hands-on practice will build your overall boat-handling confidence while you gain a deeper understanding of basic auxiliary power theory, engine and steering controls, proper use of dock lines and spring lines, crew communication, and safety.
Format: This course is offered as a 1-day course, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day.
A Learn-To-Sail Vacation on Lake Michigan – June 8th -12th, 2026:
South Shore Yacht ClubDuring your liveaboard experience, you’ll have the opportunity to earn these internationally recognized ASA certifications:
Learn, relax, and explore—then head home as a certified sailor ready for your next voyage.
ASA 101 Keelboat 1 | June 20th & 21st | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $597.00
South Shore Yacht ClubReady to embark on your sailing journey? This course is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to learn the art of sailing. You’ll gain the essential skills and confidence needed to sail a 20-foot boat in light to moderate winds and calm waters without the need for supervision.
Throughout this comprehensive course, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of keelboat sailing, including:
By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to confidently handle a boat and enjoy time on the water.
Course Format:
This course is offered as a 2 day weekend course over Saturday and Sunday.
ASA 104, Bareboat Chartering | June 22nd – 25th | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $1,797.00
South Shore Yacht ClubThis is a comprehensive cruising standard for sailors with cruising experience. Certified students act as skipper or crew of a 28 – 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The course includes basic navigation, cruise planning, advanced anchoring techniques, boat systems and maintenance procedures. International sailing considerations along with learning how to respond to “what ifs” that might occur when you are off-shore and the “first responder”. Most charter companies require a sailing resume from the Skipper and look for this internationally accepted certification when chartering a boat.
Over several days you’ll eat, sleep, and sail on the water while building real cruising confidence.
Format: 4 Day Live-aboard.
ASA 101 Keelboat 1 | July 11th & 12th | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $597.00
South Shore Yacht ClubReady to embark on your sailing journey? This course is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to learn the art of sailing. You’ll gain the essential skills and confidence needed to sail a 20-foot boat in light to moderate winds and calm waters without the need for supervision.
Throughout this comprehensive course, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of keelboat sailing, including:
By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to confidently handle a boat and enjoy time on the water.
Course Format:
This course is offered as a 2 day weekend course over Saturday and Sunday.
ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising | July 13th & July 15th | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $1,497.00
South Shore Yacht ClubThis course is the next step into the world of coastal cruising. It provides the necessary knowledge to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 28 – 35 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions. You will learn the basics of daytime coastal cruising in moderate wind and sea conditions including the recommended safety equipment, forecasting weather, reading navigational charts, marlinspike seamanship, boat handling under sail and power and more.
Over several days you’ll eat, sleep, and sail on the water while building real cruising confidence.
Format: 3 Day Live-aboard.
ASA 118 Docking Endorsement | July 16th | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $697.00
South Shore Yacht ClubJoin us for our docking endorsement course where you’ll learn strategies and techniques to safely and efficiently dock a 30’–32′ auxiliary-powered sailboat in a variety of conditions. Extended hands-on practice will build your overall boat-handling confidence while you gain a deeper understanding of basic auxiliary power theory, engine and steering controls, proper use of dock lines and spring lines, crew communication, and safety.
Format: This course is offered as a 1-day course, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day.
ASA 104, Bareboat Chartering | August 3rd – 6th | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI: $1,797.00
South Shore Yacht ClubThis is a comprehensive cruising standard for sailors with cruising experience. Certified students act as skipper or crew of a 28 – 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The course includes basic navigation, cruise planning, advanced anchoring techniques, boat systems and maintenance procedures. International sailing considerations along with learning how to respond to “what ifs” that might occur when you are off-shore and the “first responder”. Most charter companies require a sailing resume from the Skipper and look for this internationally accepted certification when chartering a boat.
Over several days you’ll eat, sleep, and sail on the water while building real cruising confidence.
Format: 4 Day Live-aboard.
