ASA Classes are currently being held in St. Petersburg, FL and Annapolis, MD through December 2023.
To become one of the ASA Sailing Schools, Waypoints Annapolis & Waypoints Florida, met rigorous qualification standards which are internationally recognized. Our ASA-certified courses give sailors of all experience levels an opportunity to become more competent and confident in their abilities.
We provide courses to bring the first-timer to a level of competent seamanship (Basic Seamanship), offer advanced courses for the experienced sailor (Advanced Cruising Standard), and open the world of possibilities for those wishing to charter in the world’s finest sailing destinations (Advanced Ocean Cruising).
Your sailing lesson is taught aboard sailboats and catamarans, complete with the amenities of today’s luxury cruising boats. Our boats provide fully-equipped galleys, air conditioning/generators*, private cabins, shared heads (some are private/en-suite), and covered cockpits. No matter which charter destination you choose, you can expect the same level of service and comfort.
ASA Courses
1: Basic Seamanship
ASA 101
Basic Sailing (#101):
A new sailor learns the skills required for safe handling of a smaller vessel. Learn terminology, equipment, sailing theory, points of sail, crew communication, crew overboard recovery, knots, and traffic rules, with emphasis on docking and safety.
2-Day Course: Two Days of On-Water Instruction from 9 am – 5 pm
Return to Dock Daily with Overnight Accommodations Included
Prerequisites: NONE
ASA 103
Basic Coastal Cruising (#103):
Sailors will learn how 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.
2-Day Course: Two Days of On-Water Instruction with an Overnight at Anchor
Prerequisites: ASA #101
ASA 101 & 103 Combo
Basic Sailing (#101)/Basic Coastal Cruising (#103):
Combined course with four days of on-water instruction.
4-Day Course: Four Days of On-Water Instruction
Prerequisites: NONE
2: Advanced Cruising Standard
ASA 104
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. Provisions are not included.
2-Day Course: Two Days Spent Aboard with an Overnight at Anchor
Prerequisites: ASA #101 & #103
ASA 101, 103 & 104 Combo
Six Day Basic-to-Bareboat (#101, #103, #104):
This course allows candidates to earn three certifications in six days. The first and second days are spent reviewing the basics. The 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 the Tampa Bay. On the fourth day, practice sailing, reefing, heaving to, and other big-boat skills on the Gulf of Mexico. The fifth morning, we’re off for a long day of sharpening new skills with a night spent at anchor. The sixth day is spent sailing back to the docks, with final sailing exercises and testing.
6-Day Course
Prerequisites: NONE
ASA 114
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. Provisions are not included.
2-Day Course: Two Days Spent Aboard with an Overnight at Anchor
Prerequisites: ASA #104
ASA 104 & 114 Combo
Bareboat Chartering (#104)/Advanced Cruising Catamaran Sailing (#114) Combo Class:
An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience who also desire catamaran experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew on a sailing vessel, sailing by day in coastal waters with 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. Provisions are not included.
3-Day Course: Three Days Spent Aboard with an Overnight Sailing and Anchor
Prerequisites: ASA #103
3: Advanced Ocean Cruising
ASA 105
Coastal Navigation (#105):
This complete Coastal Navigation Course covers chart reading, lights and buoyage, dead reckoning, bearings, fixes, set and drift, tides and currents, lights, day shapes, signals for shipping, emergency position finding, and more. Learn 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. Practical application can be found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard.
Prerequisites: None
ASA 106
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 various conditions, and utilizes the skills developed in previous classes with an emphasis 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. Earning this certification requires advanced study and mastery of the skills covered in prerequisite courses. This three-day course includes two nights aboard.
3-Day Course: Three Days with Two Nights Aboard
Prerequisites: ASA #101, #103, #104, & #105
ASA 118
Docking Endorsement (#118):
Able to safely and efficiently dock an auxiliary powered (single inboard or outboard engine) sailboat. Knowledge of basic auxiliary power theory, engine and steering controls, proper use of dock lines, crew communication, and safety.