Sailing Training & Courses

Each individual course provides two days of on-water instruction learning the skills required for safe boat handling, sailing theory, crew communications, crew overboard recovery, traffic rules, with emphasis on docking and safety, etc.

Basic Sailing [#101]

A new sailor learns the skills required for safe handling of a 20′ – 32′ vessel. Learn terminology, equipment, sailing theory, points of sail, crew communication, crew overboard recovery, knots, traffic rules, with emphasis on docking and safety.

Two days of on-water instruction from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Prerequisites: NONE
Tuition: $395
(Plus $39 – ASA Certification Fee: ASA Benefits)

Basic Coastal Cruising [#103]

Sailor learns to cruise safely in local and regional waters, as both skipper and crew, on a sailing vessel with inboard power with wheel steering, in moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn Coast Guard equipment requirements, emergency handling, anchoring equipment and techniques, sail handling and reefing, chart reading, docking, weather and much more.

Two days of on-water instruction from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Prerequisites: ASA #101
Tuition: $505

Basic Sailing/Basic Coastal Cruising [#101 & #103]

Combined course with four days of on-water instruction from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Prerequisites: NONE
Tuition: $885

Bareboat Chartering [#104]

An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew on a sailing vessel, sailing by day in coastal waters. The Standard includes knowledge of onboard systems including minor engine troubleshooting, fuel, cooling and electrical systems, the head, and safe use of the galley. Practice piloting, navigation, anchoring, docking, cruise planning, VHF radio use and other skills required for coastal cruising or island hopping

Two days spent aboard with an overnight at anchor.

Prerequistes: ASA #101 & #103
Tuition: $535

Six Day Basic-to-Bareboat [#101, #103, #104]

This course allows candidates to earn three certifications in six days. First and Second day are spent reviewing the basics. Third day is devoted to handling a vessel with wheel steering and inboard engine. Practice steering, turning, backing, docking and anchoring. Work on buoyage and chart reading while cruising Tampa Bay. On the fourth day, practice sailing, reefing, heaving to, and other big-boat skills on the Gulf of Mexico, anchoring for the night at the Manatee River. The fifth morning, we’re off for a long day of sharpening new skills with a night spent at anchor. Sailing back to the docks, with final sailing exercises and testing on the sixth day.

Six Day Course
Prerequisites: Basic Sailing Knowledge
Tuition: $1,295

Advanced Cruising Standard [#114]
Cruising Catamaran Sailing

This course is specifically intended for sailors with Bareboat Charter (104) certification and cruising experience who want to learn to sail and experience a cruising catamaran. The course covers terminology, construction and skills unique to multi-hulls, preventing capsizing, effects of windage, crew overboard, handling under sail, docking, anchoring, and understanding twin screws.

Two Day Course
Prerequisites: ASA #104
Tuition: $1,195

Bareboat Chartering [#104]/Advanced Cruising Catamaran Sailing [ASA #114] Combo Class

An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience desiring catamaran experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew on a sailing vessel, sailing by day in coastal waters with an overnight sailing and anchoring. The Standard includes knowledge of onboard systems including minor engine troubleshooting, fuel, cooling and electrical systems, the head, and safe use of the galley. Practice piloting, navigation, cruise planning, VHF radio use and other skills required for coastal cruising or island hopping. The course covers terminology, construction and skills unique to multi-hulls, preventing capsizing, effects of windage, crew overboard, handling under sail, docking, anchoring, and understanding twin screws.

Three Day Course: Three days spent aboard with an overnight sailing and anchored
Prerequisites: ASA #103
Tuition: $1,495

Coastal Navigation [#105]

This complete Coastal Navigation Course covers chart reading, lights and buoyage, dead reckoning, bearings and fixes, set and drift, tides and currents, lights, dayshapes, signals for shipping, emergency position finding and much more. Be able to demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. There is no Sailing Skills part to this Standard and practical application of this sailing knowledge is found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard.

At Home Study
Prerequisites: None
Tuition: $395

Advanced Coastal Cruising [#106]

This advanced course certifies that the candidate is able to safely act as skipper and crew on a sailing vessel, sailing coastwise day or night in many conditions, and puts to use the skills developed in previous classes. Emphasis is on seamanship and navigation; you’ll sail overnight on the Gulf of Mexico and Intercoastal Waterway while standing watch, navigating and being responsible for various aspects of the operation of our training vessel. To be successful in earning this certification requires serious advance study and mastery of the skills covered in prerequisite courses. This three day course includes two nights aboard.

Three day course with 2 nights aboard.
Prerequisites: ASA #101, #103, #104, & #105
Tuition: $895