What is the course length and schedule?

ASA 118 is a ten-hour course delivered as a two-hour online classroom (starts at 6 p.m.) followed by a full day of on-water training.

Is there a minimum age to enroll?

The advertised course is for ages 18+, as noted in the listing headline.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

The program follows American Sailing standards: instructors will review forecasts during the online session and may postpone or pause on-water work if unsafe conditions, thunderstorms, or a Special Marine Warning occur.

Do I need prior experience?

No prior technical skills are required; the course is designed for new skippers and sailors looking to build close-quarters confidence.

Should I bring food and water?

Yes—bring sunscreen, water, and snacks; the schedule includes a marina stop where you can buy lunch or eat what you brought.

Will I receive certification?

Graduates receive an ASA 118 docking endorsement indicating they’ve completed the endorsed skills training.

Docking Mastery in Alexandria: ASA 118 Two-Day Docking Endorsement

On the water off Alexandria, Virginia, the ASA 118 Docking Endorsement turns dock anxiety into steady hands and calm commands. This ten-hour, two-day course blends a two-hour evening online classroom with a full day of hands-on practice aboard a training vessel. Located in Alexandria’s working waterfront, the curriculum focuses on close-quarters maneuvering: using wind, current, and prop walk; lining up approaches in narrow channels; and executing clean tie-ups in crowded marinas.

Expect repeated, realistic drills under instructor supervision. Riders rotate through helming, line handling, and stern-first pickups so every student experiences the key positions. Instructors emphasize safety, communication, and risk management — including when to stop and tie up if the weather or sea state makes slow-speed handling unsafe. If a Special Marine Warning or thunderstorm threatens, operations pause until conditions allow a safe return to training.

What sets this course apart for the Alexandria area is its focus on urban waterfront work: tight slips, transient docks, and the traffic patterns common to riverside cities. The local shoreline features tidal currents and sheltered coves that mimic the challenges sailors face in metropolitan harbors. That mix of steady instruction and busy-water realism makes the endorsement useful whether you skipper small daysailers or larger coastal cruisers.

Practical details matter here. The online class starts at 6 p.m. and prepares you to make the most of your full day afloat; bring closed-toe shoes, polarized sunglasses, sun protection, water and snacks, and consider an over-the-counter motion-sickness medicine if you’re prone to seasickness. If you own a USCG-approved Type I, II, or III PFD, bring it; instructors will supply standard safety gear as needed.

Beyond skills, the course connects you to Alexandria’s maritime tradition: the waterfront has long supported river trade and small-boat commerce dating back centuries, and local instructors pair technical teaching with situational awareness unique to this stretch of water. Graduates walk away with a formal ASA 118 endorsement and the practical confidence to select approach vectors, command crew, and correct for environmental forces when docking.

This program is a strong fit for new skippers, seasonal sailors returning to the water, and captains who want to polish maneuvers under real-world pressure. By the end of the weekend you won’t only know the theory — you’ll have practiced it in the kind of close-quarters scenarios that make the difference between a nervous approach and a clean, controlled dock landing.

Course administration follows American Sailing Association standards; instructors will discuss weather contingencies during the evening session and make the final call the morning of the on-water day. Bring a wide-brim hat with a lanyard, sailing gloves for line handling, and expect landings at a nearby marina for lunch. The result: repeatable skills you can trust.

About Heritage Sails LLC

Heritage Sails LLC provides professional on-water sailing instruction and yacht delivery services from Alexandria, Virginia. The company specializes in American Sailing Association (ASA) courses and hands-on experiences designed for new and advancing sailors. Instructors focus on practical skills: sail trim, navigation, docking, safety procedures, and seamanship. Classes include ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1, ASA 103 Coastal Cruising, ASA 105 Coastal Navigation, ASA 118 Docking Endorsement, Discover Sailing introductory sails, and yacht delivery assignments that build real-world experience.

Training takes place aboard appropriately sized keelboats and larger coastal cruisers. ASA 101 prepares students to skipper 20–27 foot boats, while coastal courses emphasize navigation, systems, and trip planning for multi-day cruises. Docking endorsement sessions concentrate on handling wind, current, and prop walk in crowded marinas. Yacht delivery services pair participants with professional crew to transport vessels and gain certification credits.

Heritage Sails LLC emphasizes safety, certification alignment, and practical repetition to build confidence on deck. Instruction follows ASA standards and uses chart plotting, tide analysis, and hands-on drills to teach decision-making under changing conditions. The company operates in the Potomac River and nearby coastal waters from its Alexandria base, offering day and multi-day formats to match student goals.

As a featured provider on The Adventure Collective, Heritage Sails LLC presents verifiable courses and services that prepare sailors for independent cruising and safe boat handling. Prospective students can book specific ASA courses or inquire about scheduling and yacht delivery opportunities directly through the business listing. Flexible scheduling and personalized coaching support learning goals.

Docking Mastery in Alexandria: ASA 118 Two-Day Docking Endorsement

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