ASA 101 - Basic Keelboat Sailing
Learn the Fundamentals of Sailing
Our Basic Keelboat course is all new this season. We have structured the full certification course into three parts, allowing you to schedule the course conveniently. We’ve also expanded the curriculum to further support what we’ve always emphasized – more time with an instructor, more time on the water to practice individual skills, and encouraging sailing as often as possible. Our new training programs change how you will learn to sail. Ultimately, we are going back to how people always learned to sail, by sailing often. People learn new things one way, by practicing!
Prerequisites: None Location: Marina Del Rey, CA
Basic Keelboat - Part 1
Fundamentals of Sailing
You’ve made the decision to learn to sail! Whether you’ve been crew on someone else’s boat or have no prior experience, this class is for you. If you like being outdoors, you’ll love sailing. You’ll be in the fresh air and learning something new with other interesting people.
Sailing requires good observation skills and an understanding of how the boat works. BK Part 1 will start you on a path to loving sailing by becoming a competent crew … plan on being amazed!
Day 1 topics: Wind & boat awareness, sailing instructions, how the wind interacts with the boat
Day 2 topics: Sailing in the ocean, rules of the road, practice good communication and anticipation skills
Tuition also includes an additional 4 hour community sailing session. See the description of our EZCrew sessions for more information.
Length of course: Two 5-hour sessions, plus a separately scheduled EZCrew session.
Part 1 Pay As You Go Tuition: $1190 per person. Discounts are available.
Schedule a BK Part 1 Session
Your first step to getting certified! Pick a Basic Keelboat session that works for you. All BK Part 1 sessions run from 9:30AM – 2:30 PM.
Private Lessons also available. We can schedule your Basic Keelboat course on dates that work for your schedule. See below for Private Lesson pricing and details.
And don’t forget to sign up for your EZCrew session! One session is included in your tuition! Choose the date that works best for you.
Basic Keelboat - Part 2
Skippering Skills
Sailing will change your life. The goal of this two-day session is to begin your transformation from crew to skipper. During two five-hour sessions, you will learn how to prepare the boat for sailing, train your crew to help you sail the boat, and get back to the dock safely.
Day 3 topics: Getting the boat rigged and docking fundamentals, boat check, crew training, skipper checks, engine use, docking maneuvers, and skipper/ crew communications
Day 4 topics: Precision sailing, buoys and local knowledge, hat overboard drills, putting it all together
Tuition also includes an additional 4 hour community sailing session. See the description of our EZCrew sessions for more information.
Length of course: Two 5-hour sessions, plus a separately scheduled EZCrew session
Part 2 Pay As You Go Tuition: $1790 per person. Discounts are available.
Schedule a BK Part 2 Session
Once you’ve completed Part 1, continue your training with Part 2. Pick a session that works for you. All BK Part 2 sessions run from 9:00AM – 2:00 PM.
Private Lessons also available. We can schedule your Basic Keelboat course on dates that work for your schedule. See below for Private Lesson pricing and details.
Basic Keelboat - Part 3
Checkout Day!
Checkout sail and Basic Keelboat certification (ASA 101)
The program will prepare you to safely sail a boat with less experienced crew. During the checkout sail, you’ll prove you’re ready to begin chartering boats. Certification requires successfully passing an on-the-water competency check and written exam. Once complete, you are ready to start practicing by bareboat chartering. Free sailing time and a one-year membership is included with your tuition.
Day 5 topics: Review Navigation lights, boater safety rules, charts, sailing limits, and certification testing
Length of course: One 4-hour session plus testing
Part 3 Pay As You Go Tuition: $890 per person. Discounts are available.
Schedule a BK Part 3 Session
Your last step to certification – Checkout day! Schedule a session when you are ready. All BK Part 3 sessions run from 10:00AM – 2:00PM.
Private Lessons also available. We can schedule your Basic Keelboat course on dates that work for your schedule. See below for Private Lesson pricing and details.
EZCrew
Join the crew!
The Basic Keelboat program includes community sailing time. Schedule one after each section of the program.
EZCrew – our community of learners
EZCrew sessions are community sailing sessions reserved for our students. Crewing with students who are focused on the “art of sailing” propels the learning experience. These practice sessions are not instructor led, but opportunities to learn with other students. Everyone participating is a student and the conversation aboard is about sailing.
Think of this as free study time! You will join two or three other students and go sailing for four hours. The skippers are more advanced students. These sessions are always fun. We recommend taking advantage of several sessions prior to scheduling an on-the-water checkout. Each session is 4 hours.
Tuition fees are included in BK Part 1 and BK Part 2. Additional sessions: $60 per person
Basic Keelboat Pricing & Details
Bluewater Sailing’s package discount:
- When you pay for each part of the BK program as you enroll, the total price to certification is $3,870.00.
- We offer a discount to individuals that sign up for all three parts of the BK program as a package.
- To earn the discount, we request a 50% deposit ($1715.00) when you enroll in a BK Part 1 session.
- The balance of the tuition ($1715.00) will be due at the start of the first lesson. The certification total is discounted 11%, or a savings of $440.00 for a total of $3,430.00.
- With the subscription plan, scheduling subsequent parts of the program is as easy as a phone call.
Tuition includes all 24 hours of instructional time, two EZCrew sailing sessions, directed practice time, a graduation charter, ASA certification, the ASA Logbook, the ASA 101 textbook, an full year membership in Bluewater Sailing’s bareboat charter program, and all state, local, county taxes and surcharges.
Sign up with a friend and get an additional discount. Please call 310-823-5545 for information.
If you are interested in Private classes – please contact us to discuss scheduling private sessions and arrange special pricing for your program.
All sales are final. Deposits and payments are non-refundable.
There is nothing like a private lesson. Our focus is your success. We have designed a comprehensive curriculum, but the pace is yours. Private sessions are scheduled as your life dictates.
There are three parts to the curriculum and total of five individual sessions. Each instructional session is typically four or five hours, but we have some flexibility to schedule shorter or longer individual lessons based on the topic and schedule.
The private program allows you to select dates and times. We schedule appointments seven days a week. Weekend appointments should be arranged well in advance. If you need to change or cancel a lesson, we require at least a 48-hour notice.
The all in price for one person is $6,275. Since the program is modular, optional packages are available to fit your goals, timing, and budget.
• A 50% deposit is due when you enroll in a private training program.
• The balance of the tuition is due at the time of the first class.
Share the class with a friend or two and save! Call 310-823-5545 for more information.
Discounts are available for multi-person private classes. Tuition for two students is $7,850.00 ($3925 each). Tuition for three students is $8,400.00. ($2800 each)
Tuition includes all 22 hours of instructional time, directed practice time, graduation charters, an ASA certification, ASA Log book, and a textbook for each student, an annual membership in Bluewater Sailing’s bareboat charter program, and all state, local, county taxes and surcharges.
All sales are final. Deposits and payments are non-refundable.
Covid-19 Guidelines
As of June 2021, the CDC has issued guidelines for wearing face masks on public transportation, which includes the guidelines for passengers aboard vessels.
- The CDC has announced that it does not require passengers to wear a mask in outdoor areas of transportation, which includes outdoor areas of vessels.
- However, the CDC continues to recommend wearing of masks in these areas by people who are not fully vaccinated.