Located in a quiet cove on Lake Norman, we have access to large areas of open water ideal for learning to sail larger boats. Our goal is to help you become successful and confident on the water, whether it be on the lake or the ocean. Our ASA courses allow our students to experience sailing on larger boats and learn skills that will open up a whole new world of sailing possibilities. We even coordinate charter trips on the Chesapeake Bay and BVI (British Virgin Islands) each year for you to practice what you have learned. No matter what your sailing experience is, we have a class for you.
Our ASA courses are taught locally on our own 22'-28' keelboats and on chartered boats in the Chesapeake Bay and Carolina coast. We require you to have taken a basic Learn to Sail course (or an equivalent course) or demonstrate these skills before taking ASA 101 Basic Keelboat.
ASA Certification Courses
Basic Keelboat (ASA 101)
2 days, $530
Time on Water: 13 Hours / Off Water: 3 Hours
Prerequisite: Must read/study the course textbook Sailing Made Easy prior to class in preparation for the written exam
Able to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 27 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds (up to 15 knots) 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.
Learn to skipper a 22' sailboat in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters. Taught on a Catalina 22 keelboat, perfect for stability and responsiveness as well as crew comfort. Build on the basic sailing skills developed in Learn to Sail (or equivalent experience) and progress to sail trim control, anchoring, knots, navigation rules, safety, and basic navigation. Although not required for ASA 101, the Catalina 22 is equipped with an outboard motor to facilitate training.
2019 Schedule
Additional weekday sessions available upon request.
- December 7-8
- December 18-19 (weekdays)
- December 28-29
Course Textbook Not Provided: Sailing Made Easy
Order Online
TO INQUIRE ABOUT A CLASS: Email your name, phone number, best email address and the name of the class in which you are interested
to [email protected] or call (704) 947-7245.
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Coastal Cruising (ASA 103)
2 days, $650
Time on Water: 13 Hours / Off Water: 3 Hours
Prerequisite: Basic Keelboat (ASA 101); Must read/study the course textbook Coastal Cruising Made Easy prior to class in preparation for the written exam
Cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on auxiliary powered sailboat in moderate winds and sea conditions. Taught on a 28' keelboat with inboard auxiliary power. New skills include navigation, anchoring, mooring ball pickups, reefing, chart-reading, weather, maneuvering under power with inboard diesel, emergency procedures, and confidently handling a larger sailboat under sail or power. Overnight option available for this course on Lake Norman. Some classes will be offered on a Chesapeake Bay charter.
2019 Schedule
Weekday sessions available upon request.
- February 9-10 (if air temperature is above 45 degrees)
- April 13-14
- May 25-26
- June 29-30
- October 17-19 (1 Spot)
- November 2-3
Course Textbook Not Provided: Coastal Cruising Made Easy
Order Online
TO INQUIRE ABOUT A CLASS: Email your name, phone number, best email address and the name of the class in which you are interested
to [email protected] or call (704) 947-7245.
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Bareboat Cruising (ASA 104)
2 days, $650
Time on Water: 13 hours / Off Water: 3 hours
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat (ASA 101) and Coastal Cruising (ASA 103); Must read/study the course textbook Bareboat Cruising Made Easy prior to class in preparation for the written exam
This live-aboard course is the gateway to worldwide bareboat chartering. A more advanced course for individuals with basic coastal cruising experience, you'll act as skipper and crew of a 32'-40' boat, sailing in daylight hours in coastal waters. This course covers cruise planning, provisioning, boat systems, maintenance procedures, navigation, emergency procedures, weather, maneuvering under power, and more advanced sailing skills - the tools you will need to charter a cruising boat or skipper your own. Taught on cruising yachts on Chesapeake Bay or other coastal waters.
2019 Schedule
- March 2-3
- April 13-14
- June 1-2
- June 29-30
- More to follow
Course Textbook Not Provided: Bareboat Cruising Made Easy
Order Online
TO INQUIRE ABOUT A CLASS: Email your name, phone number, best email address and the name of the class in which you are interested
to [email protected] or call (704) 947-7245.
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Coastal Navigation (ASA 105)
4 days, $600
Time on Water: 4 hours / Off water: 21 hours
Prerequisites: Some previous sailing experience
Students will be able to demonstrate the skills required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. Three days of classroom work and testing, combined with one day of on the water practical training. This course takes all navigation variables into account. Establishing a fix, estimated position, and plotting a course, while considering set/drift/leeway are all covered. Chart reading/updating, compass deviation, magnetic variation, coast pilot and notice to mariners publications, tide and current predictions are covered. GPS and other electronic aids are used to create cohesion between paper and electronic navigation. Practical experience with electronic tools including Navionics.
TO INQUIRE ABOUT A CLASS: Email your name, phone number, best email address and the name of the class in which you are interested
to [email protected] or call (704) 947-7245.
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Basic Learn to Sail Class: Flying Scot Learn to Sail
7 Hour Class, $300
Prerequisites: None
If you do not have any sailing experience or do not have the minimum experience necessary to begin your ASA Certification Courses you can enroll in our Flying Scot Learn to Sail class to learn the basics needed. Click here for schedule.