Basic to Bareboat Learn-n-Cruise

Basic Sailing (ASA 101), Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103) and Bareboat Cruising/Charter Certification (ASA 104)

(11 AM Saturday through 10:30 AM Friday)

Our most popular course! In just one week in the beautiful San Juan Islands, you can achieve your ASA Bareboat Cruising (Charter Certification) and be qualified to charter your own sailboat up to 40 feet in length anywhere in the world. This weeklong learning vacation takes you out in the islands for a wonderful adventure of sailing, exploring and learning. Your only prerequisites are pre-study and a desire to learn.

• You'll set sail Saturday afternoon and spend each night anchored in a different one of the many scenic anchorages or quaint island ports found in the San Juan Island Archipelago.
• Spend the week learning how to anchor, navigate, maneuver, trim sails, and skipper a larger sailboat while surrounded by the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife unique to this part of the world.
• All meals included, with the exception on one night, when you’ll eat ashore and enjoy the local island dining. Students share in meal preparation and clean-up duties.
• Overnights are mostly spent at anchor or mooring ball, with one night at a marina. Bed linens and towels are provided.
• The boats used for the courses vary and range in size between 34' and 45' long. Class size is limited to four students. This allows for plenty of time for individual instruction and hands-on learning.
• There will be both a written and a skills test for each certification to complete the course. Thorough study of the texts, Sailing Made Easy, Basic Coastal Cruising Made Easy and Bareboat Cruising Made Easy, will prepare you for your course and greatly enhance your learning experience. The curricula (links below) are helpful to follow while reviewing the texts and will streamline your studying.
• Your instructor will cover the entire curriculum for three levels of certification: Basic Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, and Bareboat Cruising. When you return the following Friday, you should have achieved three levels of certification during the week, depending on your preliminary study, skills, and effort.
• This is a "Non-Smoking/Non-Vaping" course. For the safety and learning of all aboard, alcoholic beverages are allowed only after instruction, when at dock or at anchor, with a 2 drink limit.
• All Women option available. Click here for details.

This unique course is an exceptional value combining an incredible sailing adventure while leaning a lifelong skill. We've been teaching sailing for over 30 years and know how to do it right. In fact, most of our new students come to us by referrals.

You won't find a better value anywhere!

Please arrive at our office at 10:45 am. We will introduce you to your instructor and you’ll begin loading your gear onto your boat (making lunch together with your crewmates will be your first activity before departing). You'll need to be fully prepared to take your Basic Sailing (ASA 101) written test either Saturday evening or Sunday morning, after you are on the boat. This is the first of three written tests. Each level of certification has a written exam and a skills exam and every few days another written exam will be completed. Thorough study of the textbooks will prepare you for the course and greatly enhance your learning. We highly recommend using the curriculum (link below), in conjunction with the textbooks, as a guide to help streamline your studying.

At the end of your learning vacation your boat will return to the San Juan Sailing docks by 10:30am on Friday. Please allow yourself 1-2 additional hours to unload, debrief, and shower when planning your transportation home. All Learn-n-Cruise courses require a minimum of three students, maximum four students for confirmation.

Class size is limited, so please contact us by e-mail or at 360-671-8339 for course availability, to register or if you have additional questions. If none of the above dates fit your schedule, please contact us to explore alternate arrangements.