Sailing Association certifications are internationally recognized and ensure the student a proven curriculum in a professional, supportive learning environment under the direction of a certified instructor.
Why Choose AYC?
- ASA Sailing School options are available to fit your individual needs.
- Anacortes Yacht Charters has an extensive sailboat fleet that allows the best boat choice for each course.
- The San Juan Islands are ideal for new boaters to develop their skills as you explore the many anchorages in the area. These sheltered waters offer a variety of conditions to further your confidence and enjoyment.
- Anacortes Yacht Charters offers those who graduate from our ASA Sailing School an immediate membership in our Captain’s Club that provides special discounts on AYC charters and other great benefits.
ASA 101/103/104
Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering
AYC offers the popular ASA 101, ASA 103 and ASA 104 courses combined in a 4-day/3-night series – PLUS a new 7-day/6-night option!
Course Descriptions
This 3-course series is a hands-on opportunity for learning and skill-building while focusing on weather, duties of skipper and crew, seamanship, boat handling under power and sail, docking, anchoring, safety, VHF usage, and more.
ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Sailing – Able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20’ to 30’ in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.
ASA 103: Coastal Cruising – Able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 32’ to 40’ in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.
ASA 104: Bareboat Cruising – An advanced cruising standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a 32’ to 40’ boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures.
4-Day Course
4-day Courses are held from Thursday 9am to Sunday 4pm.
Course instruction begins on Day 1 with a half-day classroom session of ASA 101 and progresses to your assigned sailboat for “hands-on” skills for the balance of the day. Day 2 through Day 4 continue your training on your floating classroom for ASA 103 and ASA 104 certifications aboard a 30-40′ sailboat with ‘hands-on’ skill building.
Gain sailing experience as you explore the San Juan Islands with one night spent at the marina in Friday Harbor, and one night ‘on the hook’ in an inlet or cove appropriate for conditions.
4-Day Course Includes:
- 4-days of sailing instruction
- 3-days of cruising in the San Juan Islands
- Breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day, and one dinner on the night spent at anchor. Dinners are on your own when in port.
Course Schedule
| Month | Dates |
| April | 11-14, 18-21, 25-28 |
| May | 2-5, 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30-Jun 2 |
| June | 6-9, 13-16 |
| July | Summer Classes Now Available On request |
| Aug | |
| Sept | 19-22, 26-29 |
| Oct | 3-6, 10-13 |
Course Fee
$1,900 per person, plus $20 per ASA certificate and a required $39 ASA fee.
Each course has a maximum of 4 students, and a minimum of 2 students is required.
7-Day Course – NEW
7-day Courses are held from Saturday 9am to Friday 3pm.
The Course begins on Day 1 as you board the vessel – your home the next week. After vessel orientation the class begins with the ASA 101 curriculum including vessel controls, rigging, hoisting sails, safety protocols and preparation for departure.
This is a hands-on course that departs from Anacortes, Washington for an interactive 7-day journey into the San Juan Islands. Each day is filled with instruction and practice as you explore the islands with ample time for applying what you’ve learned in real-world situations and for practicing your new skills with an ASA certified instructor. The specific route to be determined based on conditions. The course concludes on Day 7 when you return to Anacortes.
7-Day Course Includes:
- 7-days of sailing instruction
- 7-days of cruising in the San Juan Islands
- Two nights of marina moorage. All other nights at anchor.
- All meals onboard. Students may opt to dine ashore on their own when in port.
- All instruction aboard the vessel.
Each course has a maximum of 4 students or auditors, and a minimum of 2 students is required.
Course Schedule:
| June 15 - 22 | July 13 - 20 | Aug 10 - 17 | Sept 7 - 14 |
| June 29 - July 6 | July 27 - Aug 3 | Aug 24 - 31 |
Course Fee:
$2,645 per person, plus $20 per ASA certificate and a required $39 ASA fee. The cost to audit the 7-day class is $2,345 per person and auditor must share a stateroom with a student.
For All Sailing Courses
Required Material: Sailing Made Easy, $29.95; Coastal Cruising Made Easy, $34.95; Bareboat Cruising Made Easy, $44.95 (plus S&H), plus study materials provided by AYC. Please have your study material completed prior to class to the very best of your ability.
Group Class Schedule: Bring a group of 3 or more students and we will make every effort to schedule class dates to meet your needs. Contact one of our friendly Charter Agents for details.
Graduate Perks: All students will immediately become eligible to receive a 5% discount off the Yacht Rate of their next charter within two years.
Cancellation Policy: We will be unable to offer refunds for any reason if cancellations occur within 45 days prior to class. For cancellations outside 45 days, 50% of the total amount will be forfeited.
Note: AYC reserves the right to cancel or change a class schedule or availability due to minimum enrollment requirements. Prices subject to change without notice.