This class is very fast paced. The more boating experience you have prior to the class the more you will get out of the training. The focus of this sailing instruction class is to give the student all the skills necessary to handle a cruising sailboat in moderate conditions in regional waters. You will learn how to deal with; sail trim, weather, equipment failures, hypothermia, navigation etc. Our curriculum goes well beyond the ASA minimums. If all goes well you will be certified to bareboat charter in 100's of locations worldwide.
We limit the class size to three students unless we have a couple on board. This allows everyone sufficient hands on time to become confident at each skill.
This class becomes an adventure vacation spending four nights and five days on a sailing yacht visiting various area marinas. We typically log about 130 nautical miles. To view a GPS track of an average class click here. (This particular class overnight'ed the first evening in Corpus Christi Marina. The second night we were in Island Moorings Marina in Port Aransas. The third night was spent in Key Allegro Marina in Rockport. On the last evening we were moored at the Port Aransas Municipal Marina.) Yes, we work you pretty hard but, at the end of the week you will be full of confidence and have a new pastime of cruising new waters and enhancing your sailing abilities. I've been sailing keelboats for more than twenty years and teaching for eight and I am still learning.
The provisions are included, out of the five days you will prepare; 4 breakfasts (Continental), 4 lunches, and two evening meals. On the alternate two evenings you are on your own to visit any of the area restaurants near the marinas.

Day One
The sailing class begins normally on a Monday morning but, the schedule does vary. We meet in our classroom at 0900. Class commences with introductions and a goal explanation. The class then begin a review of the ASA 101 curriculum; points of sail, sailing lexicon, knots, boat parts etc. The class then moves to our basic training vessel, a Catalina 25' for a hands on review of the names and functions the various boat parts. This will take us into lunch, you are on your own to visit local restaurants. After the break, (an hour or so), and we meet back on the Catalina. We depart and begin working on the underway elements of the ASA 101 curriculum. Generally speaking we work on boat handling under sail including; points of sail, basic sail trim, a docking under sail, reefing, Man Overboard etc. After a day in the bay we put the boat to bed and return to the classroom to take the first half of the ASA 101 written test. When completed, we travel to our 31' Hunter to get you berthed for the remaining four nights of class. After a quick introduction to the vessel and marina facilities you are free to venture out into town and visit shops and restaurants.

Day Two
Class prepares breakfast at 0800, (Continental Style). We then travel back to the classroom, (less than 10 minutes drive), to conduct a review of the remaining elements of the ASA 101 curriculum. While in the classroom a student prepares the navigation for that days destination. Back to the boat we go, prepare lunch and depart for an afternoon of exercises, drills and reviews. We arrive at our first destination, secure the boat, hook up shore power then take a break. The remainder of the ASA 101 written test is completed and graded. Dinner is then prepared and you will have a short lecture on the basic ASA 103 elements.

Day Three
Breakfast at 0800, then a quick review and we test on the first half of the ASA 103 elements. After a student has plotted our days travel we shove off to a new destination practising new skills as we go. While underway we work on the elements and standards required for the 103 certifications. After the boat is secured we again sit down for another lecture and complete and grade the ASA 103 written test. Dinner is discussed, on shore at a restaurant or on the boat. Class is over for the evening.

Day Four
Breakfast at 0800 and another lecture on the ASA 104 material plus another navigation problem. The first half of the 104 written test is taken and again we shove off. By this time you are competent at anchoring, hove'ing to, reefing and, Man Overboard drills. We arrive at our last destination and begin an in depth review of boat systems; engine checks, fuel systems, cooling systems, waste handing etc. On our last night we complete the ASA 104 written test. Dinner is again discussed, then we call it day and relax.

Day Five
All written testing is complete, now we concentrate on the required skills. The class plans and charts our route back to Corpus Christi. We discuss what skills we need to practise on our last day on the water. The students are completely in charge of the days sail practising everything that they learned. As we make our way back to the home port we practise any techniques that are not completely understood. We arrive at the marina near 1600 and if all has gone well you'll be certified to bareboat. After packing up and a little cleaning you depart by 1700. You'll have a new sense of confidence and maybe a little bit of a sailor's swagger in your walk.
Captain Chris