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Cruising Catamaran Learn-n-Cruise

Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103), Bareboat Cruising/Charter (ASA 104) and Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114)

(11 AM Saturday through 11 AM Friday)


Our most popular course model, this weeklong live-aboard course will take you out in the San Juan Islands aboard one of our swift, stable, spacious catamarans, for a long stretch of sailing, exploring and learning, in a relaxing teaching environment. This course is designed to develop your fundamental sailing and navigation skills as well as to introduce you to the skills unique to multihull sailing and twin engine maneuvering. You will have the opportunity to achieve Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103), Bareboat Cruising (ASA 104) and Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114). Basic Sailing certification or equivalent experience is a prerequisite.

  • If you already have ASA 103 and 104, you can still attend this course and enjoy a more relaxing week of review and skill refinement, while also completing your ASA 114.
  • You’ll learn the skills essential to skippering a twin screw 38' - 41' catamaran aboard this comprehensive weeklong course.
  • This course will cover sailing fundamentals for Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103) and Bareboat Cruising/Charter Certification (ASA 104), well as the nuances of multihull cruising for Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114).
  • The course is taught on one of our beautiful catamarans and is geared to the student who is primarily interested in learning and sailing on a catamaran and who wants the added skills to charter multihulls between 30 and 50 feet.
  • There will be both a written and a skills test for each certification to complete the course. Thorough study of the texts, Basic Coastal Cruising Made Easy, Bareboat Cruising Made Easy and Cruising Catamarans 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.
  • Based on boat size and cabin layout, this course can accommodate up to 5 students. A 4 student minimum is needed to send a course.
  • There will be opportunities for free time, to go ashore and explore the island beaches and trails, villages and marinas, or simply enjoy a quiet anchorage from the cockpit of your catamaran.
  • All meals included, with the exception on one night, when you’ll eat ashore and enjoy the local island dining. Overnight will mostly be at anchor or mooring ball, with one night at a marina. Bed linens are included.

SPRING (3/15 – 6/7)
$3025 per person (private stateroom)
$2725 per person (shared stateroom)*

SUMMER/FALL (6/8 – 10/15)
$3295 per person (private stateroom)
$2995 per person (shared stateroom)*


Spend 7 days/6 nights living aboard and learning from an ASA certified USCG Captain/Instructor, while exploring the San Juan Islands. Tuition includes your ASA 103, 104 & 114 certifications, a private stateroom, linens, meal provisioning, fuel and moorage.

*To receive the $300 shared stateroom discount, you and the person you will be sharing a stateroom with must book your course together. We do not pair people who do not know each other.

This course covers ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising/Chartering), and ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran).

If you prefer to join the class to practice hands-on skills but not pursue ASA certifications, you are welcome to do so. Please let us know if you will not be pursuing ASA certifications and we will discount your tuition $60.

Basic Sailing (ASA 101) certification

If you don’t have the prerequisites, but do have equivalent experience, click here for information on challenging prerequisite certifications.

Classes occur Saturday to Friday while cruising the San Juan Islands. To register for a course please contact us at 360-671-8339 or school@sanjuansailing.com.

Course Full? If the course you are seeking is full, please contact us to be put on a waitlist.

Coastal Cruising Made Easy by ASA
Bareboat Cruising Made Easy by ASA
Cruising Catamarans Made Easy by ASA

Order texts online through ASA/American Sailing Association, through Amazon or iBooks, or check out from your local library.

Now you’re ready for your first catamaran bareboat charter vacation! Click here for information on options to let you implement and enjoy what you have learned after graduation and to help you continue to build your sailing skills.

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 want to be fully prepared to take your Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103) 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 noon on Friday. Please allow yourself two additional hours to unload, debrief, and shower when planning your transportation home.

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 the above dates do not fit your schedule, please contact us to explore alternate arrangements.

Special Opportunities