ASA 101 & 103: Basic Keelboat and Coastal Cruising
4 days
Limited to 4 students, 2 minimum
Learn to skipper a 20' - 35'  (auxiliary powered) keelboat by day, in light to moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn basic and cruising sailing terminology and get hands-on practice learning sailboat parts and functions, helm commands, sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather, safety and seamanship.  Earn 2 ASA certifications.

The boat is your classroom. Practice sailing on 2 or 3 different boats!
Our 28.5 Hunter, Encore, is perfect for learning the basics. Our Beneteau Firsts provide practice using upgraded instruments, advanced sail trim, and other cruising comforts. The 38' Farr, Azzurra, is a speedy racing sailboat, perfect for learning more advanced sail trim, abundant sails for all types of wind, and tiller steering.


Days 1 & 2 will be 9:30am - 5pm, with a break for lunch
   *classroom learning in the morning aboard a vessel
   *hands-on sailing in the afternoons.
Days 3 & 4 will be aboard the boat at anchor.
   *students will provision for and cook one group meal
   *Day 3 - written test in the morning before sailing
   *set sail around noon, cruising and anchoring
   *return on Day 4 around 2 or 3pm and take written exam


Students are responsible for their own meals and lodging in Seward for the first 2 nights and for providing 1-2 shared meals for the night aboard the boat.

Some classes fall on our local William H. Seward Yacht Club's race days. Racing is a great way to test your knowledge of navigation rules, sailing terminology & commands, points of sail and sail trim. Consider it a crash course on learning to sail!  Students of these classes will get hands-on practice crewing in a race. Your WHSYC Race day membership fee of $25 is included.

2026 Dates:

May 22 - 25 *race day Sat May 23

July 24 - 27

Rate $1750 per student