Learn to Sail Vacation - ASA Standards

American Sailing Association Courses Offered

ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing
Prerequisites: None

Knowledge of nautical terms and parts of a boat, sail handling, marlinespike, fire fighting, safety, manners and customs, rules of the road, basic "weather eye", engine checks, helmsmanship and first aid. Also includes Boating Safety Certification approved by NASBLA.

The successful student will be able to sail in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision.

ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising
Prerequisites: ASA 101

Preparation of watch schedules, deckwork, simple coastal navigation and chartwork, basic weather, further rules of the road, basic maintenance, first aid, provisioning, helming, operation of VHF radio, simple passage planning.

The successful student will be able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary sailboat in moderate winds and sea conditions.

ASA 104 Intermediate Coastal Cruising (Bareboat Certification)
Prerequisites: ASA 101 & 103

Includes preparation for sea, further yacht handling under sail and power, passage-making and handling of a yacht under adverse weather conditions, safety, meteorology, knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures and crew supervision.

The successful student with cruising experience will be able to act as skipper or crew of a 30 - 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters.

ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
Prerequisites: None

The successful student will be able to demonstrate navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. There is no sailing skill in this standard, the practical application of this sailing knowledge is found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard.

ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising
Prerequisites: ASA 101, 103, 104, 105

The successful student will be able to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel 30 - 50 feet in length, both day and night in coastal and inland waters in any weather.

ASA 107 Celestial Navigation
Prerequisites: None

The successful student will be able to demonstrate the celestial navigation theory required to safely navigate a sailboat on any offshore passage.

ASA 108 Offshore Passagemaking
Prerequisites: ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106 & 107

The successful student will be able to safely act as skipper or crew of a sailing vessel on offshore passages using all navigational tools including celestial navigation.

I.M.E. is one of the few training facilities with
instructors certified to teach all levels of ASA certification.

Students with sailing experience may challenge ASA levels by taking a written and/or practical exam in lieu of the course work. Inquire for details.