ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising

Seattle, Washington

ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising

Starting at $555 | 21 Hours | 4 Students per Lesson

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Date

Fri, Oct 3

Travelers

2

Adventure Photos

About This Adventure

Enhance your sailing skills with the ASA 103 course, a comprehensive 21-hour program that combines classroom learning and hands-on experience on the water. Perfect for aspiring skippers of boats under 30 feet, this course covers essential topics like navigation, docking, and safety, culminating in a memorable graduation sail with classmates.

Group Lesson Rates (4 Students)

(Non-Member) $855 per student
(SSC Member) $655 per student

Winter Lesson Rates (November 1 - March 31)

(Non-Member) $725 per student
(SSC Member) $555 per student

About

Prerequisite: ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1. If you do not have ASA 101 but do have equivalent certifications in another system (such as US Sailing) or equivalent experience, please contact us at info@seattlesailing.com about a potential test-out. This must be done prior to your ASA 103 course.

This 21-hour (3-hours classroom, 15-hours on-the-water, 3-hour graduation sail, 1-hour exam) course builds directly on the skills learned from ASA 101. If your goal is to skipper boats under 30 feet, equipped with an inboard or outboard engine, and tiller driven, look no further. ASA 103 will sharpen your skills and certify you to skipper boats under 30ft.

Course Topics

Basic Navigation
Planning a Day Sail
Crew delegation
Sail Selection
Inboard Engine Basics
Reefing
Heaving-to
Docking
Anchoring
Boat Handling
Weather
Safety

Post-Exam Graduation Sail After you complete your course, you and your classmates are encouraged to complete a graduation sail together without your instructor. This part of the course is highly recommended. Plan a day and time with your classmates and contact the Club’s front desk staff to schedule a boat. Grad sails must be completed within 60-days of completing your course.

Lesson Size: Minimum to run lesson: 3 students/lesson Maximum: 4 students/lesson

Group Lesson Schedules:

2.5-Day Lesson Students must be available for all sessions of the course to join a lesson - evening session and the 2-days following.

Friday evening 6:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00pm

2-Day Lesson (only available weekdays April- mid August)

9:00am - 6:30pm for 2 consecutive days.

Note: Tipping your instructor is not required, but is greatly appreciated if you enjoyed your lesson. A typical tip ranges from 10–20% of the course cost. For multi-day courses or those with multiple instructors, it's common to tip $20–$50 per instructor per day. All tips go directly to the instructor.

Adventure Tips

Wear Non-Slip Footwear

Choose shoes with good grip to prevent slipping on wet boat decks.

Check Weather Before Sailing

Seattle weather can change quickly; prepare for wind and rain variability.

Bring a Waterproof Bag

Keep your valuables dry and protected during on-water lessons.

Stay Hydrated and Use Sunscreen

Even on cloudy days, UV exposure is strong on the water, so protect yourself and drink plenty of fluids.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Harbor seals
Bald eagles

History

Seattle's maritime heritage has been shaped by its strategic location on Puget Sound, fostering a thriving sailing community for over a century.

Conservation

Seattle Sailing Club promotes eco-friendly sailing practices by encouraging waste reduction and protecting Puget Sound’s delicate ecosystems.

Master Coastal Sailing in Seattle with ASA 103 Course

Difficulty

Duration

Fitness Level

Overview