How do I reserve my course?
Just give us a call or email us and we’ll answer any questions you might have. Our School Team is ready to assist you with your sailing goals and can tailor fit the instruction based on your skills, whether a beginner or if you are coming with experience. We’ll let you know course availability and can often open up a new course if you have specific date limitations.
At the time of registration, we’ll guide you on what textbooks are needed, how to prepare with the curriculum and provide you with a detailed packing list as well finding out your food requests and/or restrictions. We work very well with food allergies and restrictions.
When do I pay for my course?
You will pay a 30% reservation deposit if you reserve your course more than 45 days before the departure date. This reservation deposit can be paid by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Discover) or by personal check. After that the balance will be due 45 days before your course starts. We always recommend travel insurance, so that you’ll be covered if an unexpected event doesn’t allow you to attend your course.
What is the cancellation policy for courses with San Juan Sailing/Yachting?
If you cancel your reservation 45 or more days before the start of your course, your tuition will be refunded in full less $150/person cancellation fee for weeklong courses and stateroom bookings, $75/person cancellation fee for 2-day courses, $175/person for 10-day or 14-day courses or stateroom bookings, and $100/person for the Power LNC.
If you cancel within 45 days of the start of your course, your tuition (less the cancellation fee) will be refunded if we are able to enroll a new student to take your place in the course. If we are unable to fill your space, your tuition will be forfeited. We highly recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance (available directly through TravelGuard, World Nomads, or from your local travel agent).
How many students are in a class?
Most classes have four students, but there is a minimum of three students and a maximum of five, plus the instructor. We have found this to be the ideal student/instructor ratio to maximize student learning. The exception to this is our catamaran courses, which have a minimum of four and a maximum of five students.
What size of boat is typically used for courses?
Your course will be taught on a boat ranging in size from 36 -45 feet in length, usually with either 2 or 3 cabins.
Will I know what boat I will be on before I arrive?
We will let you know approximately 2 weeks before you arrive what vessel is planned for your course. Please be aware that changes in boat availability can cause vessel assignment to change at the last minute. We keep all our boats to the highest maintenance standards and want to be sure that the boat you are learning on is the best one for your course!
What are the sleeping accommodations for the course?
Depending on boat availability and crew make-up, your course will take place on either a 2 or 3 stateroom boat. If coming on a course alone, or if coming with others but you all want your own staterooms, you will book your course at the private stateroom tuition rate. If you are taking the course with another person that you wish to share a stateroom with, your tuition will be at the shared stateroom rate. In this case, 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. Stateroom assignments will be worked out with the instructor once all the students arrive. Please note that the private stateroom tuition rate guarantees you will have your own stateroom, but not your choice of stateroom or a private head.
Should I tip my instructor?
Tipping is common in this industry, but not expected or required. If you would like to tip your instructor the amount is completely at your discretion. Tip amounts are highly variable, but those who choose to tip often do so in the range of $10/day to $50/day. Please plan ahead to bring cash or check (or ask your instructor if they use a mobile payment app) as tips cannot be charged to your credit card and there is not a cash machine within walking distance of our office.
Are classes ever rescheduled if the winds are too severe?
We want to make sure that your experience is as safe and positive as possible. Therefore, if the weather is too severe we may need to reschedule your course. Rescheduling will be based on weather and experience level, as well as the best judgment of your instructor. For example, ASA 101 courses will be rescheduled if the sustained wind speed is greater than 20 knots, ASA 103 if the sustained wind speed is greater than 25 knots, and ASA 104 if it is greater than 30 knots.
Will there be an opportunity to do my laundry during the week (on the Learn-n-Cruise)?
Chances are that you will find you neither need nor desire to do laundry during your cruise, but many of the ports of call will have laundry facilities, so that you can do a quick laundry. Bring plenty of quarters along for the machines.
May I bring along my favorite alcoholic beverage?
Yes, you may do so, as we do not provide alcohol in our provisioning. However, 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.
Is smoking allowed during the course?
All our boats are non smoking. If you smoke, it can only be done ashore (with minimal opportunities for stopping).
What if I have a particular snack I want to bring. Is there room for this?
Yes, bring along your favorite treats. Our provisioning includes snacks, but if you have a favorite you cannot do without, bring it along.
Can you accommodate food allergies or food preferences, such as vegetarian?
Yes. If you have dietary restrictions or needs (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, allergies), please indicate these details on the Student Survey form which is part of the school registration packet.
What if I become seasick?
Are there precautions I should take? The San Juan Islands are in a protected area, without ocean swells, however, it is always a good idea to come prepared with sea sickness medication, even if you never need to use it. Treatments include acupressure wrist bands, or medications such as Dramamine or Bonine (please note that these medications can cause drowsiness). A non-medication option is ginger. There is evidence that this herb settles the stomach and can be taken in many forms including: raw ginger, candied ginger, ginger snap cookies, ginger ale or ginger beer (non-alcoholic). Once onboard, many people find that the sea-sickness will subside on its own after a few hours as the body re-balances and they find their “sea legs”. Staying above deck and getting fresh air will also help.
What if I need to bring along my CPAP machine?
All of our boats have 12-volt cigarette lighter sockets at the electrical panel. Most of our boats have an inverter as well, also located at the electrical panel. The electrical panel is generally between 10-15 feet from the staterooms. Based on the model of your CPAP machine, you'll need an extension cord that will be able to reach from where you are sleeping to the electrical panel. Most CPAP machines have a 12-volt cigarette lighter power option.
We suggest the following in order to make your CPAP machine boat compatible:
- Purchase two (2) 12-volt cigarette lighter extension cords. Don’t unwrap the second one unless it’s needed for sure…as you can always return it if it’s unopened. That way you’ll definitely have power to the CPAP machine, since all boats have the 12-volt cigarette lighter socket.
- Test first by plugging in the one extension cord and try the machine in your car…just to make sure you’ve got the right cord and that it works well.
- Also, if you have a 110-volt A/C power cord, bring that with an 12 foot extension cord (one should do it) to use when hooked up to shore power at a dock (this will only happen once or twice during a weeklong course). That MIGHT also work if the boat has an inverter, BUT…the CPAP machine draws so little power that the inverter sometimes thinks there’s no current draw and it shuts off. Sometimes, plugging in a phone charger along with the CPAP machine helps the inverter know that devices are in need of power, and it won’t shut off.
- If your machine takes batteries (and many do), please bring lots of batteries in case the other two options are inconvenient (cords all over the place), you aren’t hooked up to shore power or in case something in the electrical system fails while out in the islands.
I am a member/veteran of the US Armed Forces or a first responder. Do you offer a discount?
As a member or veteran of the US Armed Forces we appreciate your sacrifice and offer a discount on several of our courses as an acknowledgement of and in gratitude for your service. We also extend these discounts and our appreciation to police, fire and EMT first responders. Our military/first responder discounts are:
How should I prepare for the written exams?
The written exams for ASA 101, 103, 104, 114 & 118 each have 100 questions or less, primarily true/false or multiple choice. A passing grade is 80% or higher. The best way to fully prepare for the written exam is to fully read the required textbook(s) before your course. Each course has a corresponding curriculum that should be used as a study guide, focusing on the items in the section titled “Knowledge” as you pre-study. The “Skills” section of the curriculum will be taught while you are on your course.
The written exams for ASA 105 and ASA 106 are multiple-choice and short answer questions. These advanced exams also involve manual chart-plotting and calculations. The ASA 105 exam typically takes about 2-3 hours to complete and requires intensive preparation by studying the recommended textbook(s).
How old do you need to be to participate in a course?
The suggested minimum age for American Sailing certifications is 18. We do allow students that are 16-17 years old to participate in our courses, if they attend the course with another adult and share a stateroom. If there is going to be a student that is 15 or younger, we only allow them to participate in a buy-out situation. The prices for a 2 or 3-person buyout can be found under the "options" tab on each individual course page. Note: Though certifications can be earned, most companies will not accept a solo charter guest under the age of 18.
What if I already have my certifications and just a want a review?
If you want to participate in a course and already have the certifications being offered, we will deduct the cost of those from your tuition ($69 for ASA 101, $20 for ASA 103 and above). Another great option for review is participating in one of our Stateroom Booking opportunities – the perfect steppingstone between your core ASA certifications and your first bareboat charter! They also serve as an excellent refresher to practice and build your skills. For those with their ASA 101 certification, ASA 111 (Sailing Refresher) is available as an option.
