Live Aboard and Learn to Sail Vacation
ASA (American Sailing Association) Certifications
We offer all levels of ASA (American Sailing Association) certifications from basic keelboat to ASA 114 catamaran handling.
The American Sailing Association is the predominant standards bearer and codifier in the arena of recreational sailing education in the Americas. The organization was founded in 1983 by television producer Lenny Shabes who felt there was no recognized educational system in place to learn the sport of sailing.
Earning an ASA certification will become one of your prized accomplishments. Not only does it evidence your new sailing ability to the world, it gives you the confidence to maximize your experience.
Depending on the level of ASA certification you are seeking, we have several packages for you to choose from: Please note that you must be certified at each level
If you have previous sailing experience and want to jump up to Coastal Cruising, you must first challenge the ASA Basic Keelboat written and practical exam. For details on challenging, please call us at 619-316-6430
ASA (American Sailing Association) Classes
All quoted package prices are for 2 students (not per person).
You may include additional friends or family at a cost of $500 per additional person.
Basic Keelboat and Basic Coastal
(best suited for students with prior sailing/boating experience)
$3,250
3 Day Learn to Sail for Two
Cruising (ASA 101/103)
$4,150
4 Day Learn to Sail for Two
Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Charter (ASA 103/104)
(must have previously completed Basic Keelboat ASA 101)
$3,850
4 Day Package for Two
Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Charter
(ASA 101/103/104)
$5,400
6 Day Package for Two
We also offer the following certifications:
- Cruising Catamaran ASA 114
- Coastal Navigation ASA 105
- Advanced Coastal Cruising ASA 106.
Please call for scheduling and pricing.
Packages are all inclusive, but they do not include provisioning.
- We provide you transportation to several nearby grocery stores after you arrive, so you can purchase what you need.
- We pick you up from the airport or provide free parking if you are driving or renting a car.
- The boat has a fully equipped galley (that's kitchen on a boat š ) including a microwave, for you to prepare any meal. If you donāt want to cook
- If you do not want to cook, there are several excellent restaurants to have dinner withing walking distance. Starbucks for breakfast and a great deli right at our marina.
- We provide linens and towels
We usually anchor each day for lunch and to review and prepare you for your written exam.
What does the class price include:
- All textbooks
- Study materials
- One year membership to the American Sailing Association (101 only).
- If scheduling permits, you may be able to stay aboard the Beneteau Oceanis 37ā Platinum Edition the night before, or the night after your class begins or ends. Or, you can contact the Sheraton Harbor Resort and Marina, located next to us, for special rates or promotions.
Cancellation Policy:
If for any reason you need to cancel, all cancellations need to be in writing or email.
- More than 60 days before your class, a $100 per person charge will be made to cover the cost of books, shipping, etc.
- From 30 days to 60 days before your class, a fee equaling 25% of the full cost of the class will be charged.
- Less than 30 days will result in loss of your 50% deposit.
If we are able to rebook your time slot, we will issue a full credit for money paid to apply to a future booking.
Have a question? Contact us at 619-316-6430
Basic Keelboat (101)
Prerequisites: None
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 27 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds and sea conditions. Knowledge of basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship and safety including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards. Auxiliary power operation is not required.
Basic Coastal Cruising (103)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) Certification
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (outboard or inboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet length by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, Read more...
Bareboat Chartering (104)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) and Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA103) certifications.
Demonstrated ability to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered keelboat (or catamaran, if course is conducted on such) of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Course is conducted as a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours. Read more...
Coastal Navigation (105)
Prerequisites: None
Able to demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. There is no Sailing Skills part to this Standard and practical application of this sailing knowledge is found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard.
Advanced Coastal Cruising (106)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Chartering and Coastal Navigation Certification
Able to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length. This is a day and nighttime Standard in coastal and inland water, in any weather.
Basic Small Boat Sailing (110)
Prerequisites: None
Able to sail a centerboard or multihull sailboat in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required.
Cruising Catamaran (114)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat (101) and Basic Coastal Cruising (103). The Bareboat Charter Standard (104) is also a prerequisite and can be attained either by itself prior to BBC Multihull (114) or in conjunction with BBC Multihull (114). In either case, all material in both standards (104 & 114) must be taught and tested before 114 can be awarded.
The ASA "Challenge"
Knowledgeable and experienced sailors who have reviewed the ASA standards and consider themselves proficient in each area are invited to āchallengeā the standards at an ASA certification facility. Each certification must be challenged successively, with corresponding prerequisites met at each level. Contact Us for more information
International Proficiency Certificate
ASA is proud to offer the first International Proficiency sailing certificate available in the United States.
This certificate can be ordered through Learn to Sail San DiegoĀ® as long as you are an ASA member who has completed through ASA 104, Bareboat Charter. One must be a current member of ASA to be issued the certificate. More info