ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising in Seattle, WA
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
3 days, 2 nights
Fitness Level
Participants should have good physical stamina for handling sails, spending extended periods on deck, and managing boat tasks in various weather conditions.
Overview
Take your sailing skills to the next level with Seattle Sailing Club’s ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising course. This private 3-day adventure teaches crucial navigation and emergency techniques while sailing Puget Sound.
ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising
Starting at $1695 | 30 Hours | Up to 6 Students
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Adventure Photos
About This Adventure
Embark on an exhilarating 3-day, 2-night sailing adventure designed for aspiring sailors. With hands-on training and expert instructors, you'll master essential skills like night navigation, weather forecasting, and emergency operations. This unique experience not only prepares you for global cruising but also enhances your local sailing prowess.
Group Lesson Rates (6 Students, 2 instructors)
- (Non-Member) $2155 per student
- (SSC Member) $1695 per student
About
This course is only offered in Fall & Spring to ensure students can obtain the minimum required night sailing hours for certification.
Prerequisites: ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1, ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising, ASA 104 Bareboat Charter, & ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
Sail for 30 consecutive hours (including overnight) on this hands-on 3-day, 2-night cruising course with four students and two instructors. The skills gained in this course will prepare you to cruise the world, but will prove useful for local cruising as well.
Course Topics
- Practical application of ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
- Rotate watches for 30 consecutive hours of sailing
- Night navigation
- Sail selection based on weather
- Weather & Lee Helm
- True & Apparent Wind
- Weather: relationship between barometer & thermometer, understanding clouds, and forecasting, thermal and prevailing winds
- Heavy weather precautions
- International distress signals
- Anchoring: recovering fouled anchor, using 2 anchors
- Handling rigging emergencies
- Skills to assess diesel engine complications
- Emergency operations
- Beating, reaching, running, tacking, jibing, heading up, bearing away and luffing
- Stand a nightly watch
- Basics of using a spinnaker (this is dependent on time and weather conditions)
Lesson Size: Minimum to run lesson: 3 students/lesson Maximum: 6 students/lesson
Group Lesson Schedule:
- This course will take place over 3-days, 2-nights, beginning at 9am on Day 1 and ending by 5pm on Day 3.
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
Dress in layers
Seattle’s coastal weather can change quickly, so bring moisture-wicking layers and a waterproof jacket.
Familiarize yourself with marine charts
Review local marine charts before the course to better understand the route and navigation landmarks.
Stay hydrated and pack snacks
Long days on the water can be physically demanding; bring water and energy-boosting snacks.
Prepare for seasickness
If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring medication and try to get good rest before setting sail.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Harbor seals
- Bald eagles
History
Seattle’s maritime heritage dates back to its early days as a shipping hub and fishing port, influencing its rich sailing culture.
Conservation
The local sailing community actively participates in marine debris cleanups and promotes sustainable boating practices to protect Puget Sound.
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Adventure Hotspots in Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof sailing jacket
Keeps you dry and comfortable during wet and windy coastal conditions.
fall specific
Non-slip boat shoes
Provides safe footing on slippery decks for better stability.
Sunglasses with UV protection
Protects your eyes from glare reflecting off the water.
summer specific
Marine GPS or chartplotter app
Useful for navigation practice alongside traditional charts.