ASA Certifications

We emphasize the power and fun of experiential learning with an appreciation of the only living coral reef in North America. As an American Sailing Association (ASA) affiliated sailing school, we provide sailing instruction from basic sailing to advanced cruising and coastal navigation. Courses can be taken individually or combined into a live-aboard adventure cruise vacation.

ASA101 - Basic Keelboat Sailing: For beginning sailors, no experience needed. This 3-day course is an introduction to sailing and combines visual classroom presentation material with hands-on coaching aboard a very clean and comfortable sailboat. Course fees include the "Sailing Fundamentals" textbook (Parts 1 through 4 are used for this course), ASA logbook, ASA membership, instructor time, and the written and practical exams. Additionally, this course is approved as a National Safe Boating course. Price: $595 per person. Maximum enrollment: 4 participants

ASA103 - Basic Coastal Cruising (prerequisite: ASA101): This 3-day course will familiarize you with the basics of an auxiliary diesel engine powered cruising sailboat, increase your knowledge of boat systems and seamanship, and build your confidence in docking, anchoring, sail trim, and basic navigation. Visual presentation material is combined with hands-on coaching. The text for this course is "Sailing Fundamentals" parts 5 through 7. The course fee includes one dinner at an overnight anchorage, instruction, and the written and practical exams. Price: $695 per person. Maximum enrollment: 4 participants

ASA104 - Bareboat Chartering (prerequisite: ASQ103): This 3-day intermediate-level course will help you achieve the skills and confidence to skipper your own boat or charter a bareboat (without hired crew). You will learn more about vessel systems such as electrical, plumbing, diesel engine systems. You will expand your anchoring, seamanship and coastal navigation skills, and receive an introduction to electronic navigation instruments such as GPS and chart-plotter. The course fee includes two dinners at overnight anchorages, the “Cruising Fundamentals” textbook, instruction, and the written and practical exams. Price: $895 per person. Maximum enrollment: 4 participants

ASA105 - Coastal Navigation (prerequisite: none): This is a theory course that enables the skills to navigate within sight of land. A self-study DVD and workbook is provided with course registration. When ready you may take the written exam at our facility. Price: $295 per participant

ASA106 - Advanced Coastal Cruising (prerequisites: ASA101 and ASA105): Advanced sailing and seamanship, weather, engineering, and safety are emphasized during this 3-day course, which includes day and nighttime passagemaking. Price: $1095 per person.
Maximum enrollment: 3 participants

Custom Live-aboard Cruise Vacations: Any two consecutive ASA courses may be combined into a 5-day live-aboard adventure cruise. Alternatively you may take just one course during a 5-day trip if you prefer to have plenty of time for relaxation, snorkeling, reef-exploration, fishing, etc. Contact us for pricing at info@sunshinesailing.com.