Keelboat Sailing Basics with Sail Ontario in Sackets Harbor

Rates

• Person: $549 Books (w/ shipping) and ASA registration fee included
• Minimum 2 students for course to Run. You'll be rescheduled or refunded if minimum enrollment is not met.

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Duration

• 16 Hours

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About

Completing our American Sailing Association 101 course provides you worldwide recognition and the ability to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 26 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds (up to 15 knots) and sea conditions. This 16-hour course is structured around two pillars: knowledge and skills.

Knowledge: Basic sailing terminology, maneuvers and points of sail, navigation rules, aids to navigation, safety gear and procedures Skills (practice and demonstration): safety equipment, sailing (hoist/set sails safely and correctly to obtain proper sail trim), crew overboard, return and secure, and knots.

Skills: Generally, on the first day (2 day schedule*) students learn basic sailing vocabulary, including parts of the boat and the terms used to communicate with fellow sailors. Next, students learn the basic knots necessary to feel safe and comfortable on the water. The afternoon begins with a quick summary of the vocabulary needed to sail the boat, including the different directions that the wind hits the boat (‘points-of-sail’), and the two different ways to turn the boat through the wind – tacking and jibing. We discuss how to leave the dock using the dock lines, and off we go, your captain navigating you out from the dock and then handing you the helm. That first afternoon, you’ll sail the boat straight at different angles to the wind, learn the correct language to use with your other crew members, and how to turn the boat using proper commands and technique. You’ll learn how to stow both sails and prepare for docking.

The next day (2 day schedule*) reinforces what you learned the day before and prepares you for the written test, with the schedule varying depending on the weather. You’ll review vocabulary, knots, points-of-sail, tacking, and jibing. You’ll start the day on the water on one of our smaller vessels and you’ll practice performing different sailing skills, including how to pick up an overboard crewmember. Finally, after a quick review of key points, you’ll take the written multiple choice test – a great way to reinforce your new sailing knowledge. At the end of the day, you will receive your signed ASA logbook – it’s official that you’ve passed your ASA 101 Basic Keelboat certification class. You’re now ready to sail and crew with others, and prepared to develop your skills as you learn how to charter and sail your own keelboat.

Students also receive a FREE boat rental upon completion of the 101 course.