Basic Coastal Cruising with SailTime Chicago

Crystal Lake•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

2 days, overnight

Fitness Level

Moderate physical condition required to handle boat maneuvers and spend extended time aboard.

Overview

Take your sailing skills to the next level with SailTime Chicago’s ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising—a 2-day, overnight course designed for hands-on learning aboard a large vessel on Crystal Lake.

Crystal Lake, Illinois

ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising

A 2-day, overnight course. The next step after ASA 101.

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Sep 25

Travelers

Adventure Photos

About This Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable 2-day sailing adventure, where you'll learn essential cruising skills while staying overnight on the boat. With a maximum of three students, enjoy personalized instruction covering boat systems, navigation, and safety. This hands-on experience prepares you for skippering larger vessels on open waters.

#Rates Chicago, IL Student: $700 and 9% tax Winthrop Harbor, IL Student: $700 See course description for harbor location.

#About

This is a 2-day, one-night course. Instructor and students will sail from one harbor and stay overnight onboard the boat, then sail back the next morning. Students will learn the fundamentals of large boat cruising in preparation for skippering on larger bodies of water. Max of 3 individual students or 2 couples per class.

Course Content: More hands on experience with Course 101 content. Additional content includes the areas of Boat Systems & Battery, Electrical Panel & Engine, Prop Walk & Docking, Rules of the Road, Sound Signals, Buoys, Lights, VHF, Cruising Tips, Navigation, Chart Problems, Safety Systems, Heavy Weather Sailing, Written Exam.

Prerequisite: ASA 101 Basic Keelboat (Qualified sailors may test out of 101 by passing the Basic Keelboat written test, and demonstrating on-the-water proficiency) *Fee associated with ASA 101 Test-Out.

Adventure Tips

Wear Non-Slip Footwear

Deck surfaces get slippery when wet; choose shoes with good grip to stay safe aboard.

Familiarize Yourself with Navigation Terms

Review basic nautical terms and buoy systems before class to maximize learning.

Be Prepared for Changing Weather

Lake conditions can shift rapidly; bring weather-appropriate gear to stay comfortable.

Ask Questions Early and Often

With small class sizes, take advantage of personalized instruction to clarify concepts.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Great Blue Herons frequent the lake’s edges during morning hours
Occasional sightings of river otters enjoying the freshwater habitat

History

Crystal Lake’s boating tradition stretches over a century, evolving from simple fishing craft to modern recreational sailing engraved in regional culture.

Conservation

Local efforts focus on maintaining water clarity and native fish populations, emphasizing sustainable boating practices to protect this freshwater ecosystem.