AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION - SAILING CERTIFICATIONS

Upon completing the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course, you’ll be equipped to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat ranging from 20 to 27 feet in length, confidently navigating in daylight and in light to moderate conditions, with winds up to 15 knots. 

You’ll master the essentials of sailing—everything from basic terminology and sail trim to helm commands, seamanship, and the all-important rules of navigation to keep you clear of hazards. The course covers the fundamentals of safe sailing, with auxiliary power operation as an added bonus. It’s your ticket to a lifetime on the water.

In ASA 102, you’ll expand your sailing knowledge and practical skills, focusing on boat handling, sail trim, and safety procedures.

You’ll learn to manage a keelboat in winds up to 20 knots, mastering advanced boat handling techniques like tacking, jibing, and docking. You’ll also gain insight into controlling sail shape and power through key adjustments to the mainsail and jib, optimizing performance under varying wind conditions. 

This course emphasizes safety, teaching you essential crew overboard recovery methods, winch handling, and safe line management. By the end, you’ll be equipped to confidently skipper in coastal waters, making informed decisions about safety, sail trim, and boat control for smoother, more efficient sailing.

Able to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (inboard or outboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet in length by day in moderate winds (up to 20 knots) and sea conditions. 

Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather interpretation, safety, and seamanship.

Able to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary-powered keelboat of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. 

Knowledge of provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, routine maintenance procedures, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health & safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operation.

ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising builds upon your previous sailing experience, offering the skills and confidence needed to skipper a vessel on extended coastal passages in challenging conditions. 

You’ll learn advanced sail handling, night navigation, heavy weather tactics, and emergency procedures. This course

emphasizes decision-making, leadership, and boat management while cruising in variable weather and sea states. 

Through practical, hands-on training, you’ll navigate longer passages, perform crew-overboard drills, and manage a vessel’s systems while underway.

ASA 106 prepares you for advanced cruising adventures, ensuring you’re ready for any conditions coastal cruising might throw at you.

ASA 107 Celestial Navigation introduces the principles and techniques used to navigate by the sun, moon, stars, and planets.

You’ll learn how to use a sextant, apply corrections for accurate altitude measurements, and calculate your position using celestial bodies. Key skills include converting time, determining latitude by the sun or Pole Star, and solving the navigational triangle to plot

your location on a chart. 

Through practical exercises, you’ll gain

the knowledge to plot celestial lines of position and advance them to determine your boat’s exact position during ocean passages.

This course is essential for anyone planning long-distance voyages or who wants to deepen their navigation skills.

ASA 108 Offshore Passagemaking is an advanced course focusing on the skills necessary for safe and effective navigation across open oceans. 

You’ll master passage planning using tools like Great Circle plotting and rhumb lines, and learn to select the right routes for Atlantic and Pacific crossings. 

The course covers essential topics, including vessel and crew preparation, food provisioning, emergency procedures, and advanced navigation techniques.

Practical skills include managing long watch-keeping routines, performing emergency drills, and utilizing celestial navigation for accurate positioning. By the end, you’ll be fully equipped to plan

and execute offshore voyages, handling everything from routine maintenance to emergencies at sea.

ASA 110 Basic Small Boat Sailing provides an introduction to the skills and knowledge necessary to safely sail a small boat of less than 20 feet. 

You’ll learn about the parts of a sailboat, wind awareness, and how to control the boat using different sail adjustments for

various wind conditions. Key topics include points of sail, rigging, launching, beach landings, and basic seamanship like avoiding collisions and recovering from a capsize. 

Hands-on practice covers

everything from getting underway to maneuvering under sail and safely returning to shore. This course focuses on simplicity and fun, making it an accessible and enjoyable way to start your sailing

journey.

ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran is a comprehensive course that covers the unique aspects of sailing and managing a cruising catamaran. 

You’ll learn about the distinct components of catamarans, including hull design, rigging, and onboard systems.

The course emphasizes safety, from the proper use of jacklines to understanding capsizing risks and recovery. You’ll practice essential sailing maneuvers under both sail and power, including handling twin engines, navigating tight spaces, and performing man-overboard recoveries. 

This course will help you master the nuances of multihull performance, making you a confident and capable catamaran sailor ready for coastal and offshore cruising.