Beginner’s / Refresher Courses
| Course 102 Become a Sailor in One Weekend Prerequisite: None |
Boat: Rainbow 24 Days: Sat. - Sun. Cost: $495  Per Person |
Course 102 is by far our most popular course. Conveniently scheduled over a weekend, this introductory course strikes the perfect balance between intensive instruction and relaxed fun on the water. Taught on our famous Rainbow sloops, Course 102 is the perfect way to start a sailing career.Students often wonder if you really can learn to sail in a weekend. The answer to that question is a resounding “yes”! The basics of sailing are really quite simple and can be mastered by nearly everyone in two days. Once the basics are mastered, you can practice and refine your skills for a lifetime and never know everything there is to learn. This open-endedness makes sailing an ideal lifetime sport. Whether you learn as a child or as an adult, you can practice for a lifetime and there will always be another challenge to overcome or another technique to master.
Course 102 presents the bare minimum of theory to help you understand what is going on in the boat. You will be sailing during the very first session. Building on the introduction, Course 102 provides the basics of sailing vocabulary, principles of sailing, sail trim, steering with a tiller and rules of the road. All of this information is presented in a safe, non-threatening way as you sail your Rainbow under the watchful eye of your on-board instructor.
At the end of the weekend you will be ready to begin your sailing career. The best follow-up to our course is to sail. Sail with friends, crew on a racing boat, rent a Rainbow from us, charter or buy a boat, but the more you sail, the more you will be amazed at how much you learned in your weekend course.
Prerequisite: None |
Boat: Rainbow 24 Days: Mon. - Wed. Cost: $630 Per Person |
An even better way to learn to sail is to take our Course 103. The first two days cover the same introductory content as our famous weekend introductory course, with the addition of a third day of supervised sailing. The additional sailing time helps reinforce your new sailing skills and affords more time ashore to explore the Annapolis area.
Prerequisite: None |
Boat: Rainbow 24 Days: Mon. - Wed. Cost: $700 Per Person |
The same content course #103 but includes the textbook, logbook and the ASA 101 certification test.
Prerequisite: As with Course 102, there are no formal prerequisites for these introductory courses. |
Boat: Rainbow 24 Days: Mon. - Fri. Cost: $835 Per Person |
This course is the all-time favorite of students and instructors alike. Similar to Course 103, but providing three full days of supervised sailing, this course comes close to being the ideal beginner’s learning experience on the water.
Prerequisite: As with Course 102, there are no formal prerequisites for these introductory courses. |
Boat: Rainbow 24 |
The same as course #105 but includes the textbook, logbook and the ASA 101 certification test. Course 105A is the preferred beginner’s course for students interested in ASA Basic Keelboat Certification.
| Course 122 Learn to Sail on a Hunter 36 Prerequisite: None |
Boat: Hunter 36 Days: Sat. - Sun. Cost: $650 Per Person |
Course 122 is an introductory course designed for beginners with no prior sailing experience, but who want to learn on a larger boat. The course content of Course 102 has been adapted to a larger cruising boat. This course is especially useful for first-time sailors starting out on a cruising boat or beginners who will be crewing on larger boats. Classroom time is kept to a bare minimum and hands-on sailing is emphasized. The focus of Course 122 is on basic sailing skills. The small class size and low student-to-instructor ratio ensures maximum learning and an enjoyable first sailing experience.
| Course 110 Half-Day refresher on a Rainbow Prerequisite: Previous sailing experience. |
Boat: Rainbow 24 Days: available 7 days a week 9am - 1pm or 1pm - 5pm Cost: $150 Per Person |
Course 110 is for people who would like a refresher onboard the Rainbow with an instructor. Your instructor will review any skills you would like to reinforce and can be tailored exactly to the needs of the student. We offer Course 110 seven days a week either from 9 am – 1 pm or 1 pm-5 pm.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
| Course 120 Full-Day refresher on a Rainbow Prerequisite: Previous sailing experience. |
Boat: Rainbow 24 Days: available 7 days a week 9pm - 4pm Cost: $250 Per Person |
Course 120 for people who would like a refresher onboard the Rainbow with an instructor. Your instructor will review any skills you would like to reinforce and can be tailored exactly to the needs of the student. We offer Course 110 seven days a week from 9 am – 4 pm with an hour break for lunch.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
| Course 130 Follow-Up Weekend on a Rainbow Prerequisite: Previous sailing experience. |
Boat: Rainbow 24 Days: Weekends Cost: $525 Per Person |
Course 130 was designed to bridge the gap between our basic sailing course and our intermediate cruising courses. You instructor will work with you to fine tune your skills and cover more advanced sailing topics.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
| Course 132 Advanced Beginner’s Course Prerequisite: Previous sailing or power boating experience. |
Boat: Hunter
36 Days: Sat. - Sun. Cost: $650 Per Person |
Course 132 covers the same content as Course 102 but is designed for people with previous sailing or boating experience. This course is taught entirely aboard a cruising auxiliary and can be tailored exactly to the needs of the students. Many adults, taking up sailing again after learning in years past, find this course the perfect refresher to re-awaken long dormant skills.
Intermediate / Cruising Boat Refresher Courses
Prerequisite: Some sailing / boating experience |
Boat: RA 24’ & Hunter 36 Days: Mon. - Fri. Cost: $1,200 Per Person |
Recreational sailors have recognized the need for certification for chartering, renting or just for confidence. Our Course 201 combines the content necessary for ASA 101 and 103 into one 5-day course. Your course begins with two days onboard the Rainbow 24’ covering the skills and requirements for ASA 101 certification. The third day you board our Hunter 36’ cruising auxiliary. The next three days are spent transferring the skills learned on the Rainbow daysailor to handling a 36’ cruising sailboat. All of the skills and requirements for ASA 103 are covered in this intensive course. The last day is spent working with you on the written and practical testing for your ASA certifications.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
Prerequisite: ASA 101 |
Boat: Hunter 36 Days: Mon. - Fri. Cost: $2,000 Per Person |
For many ASA 101 graduates the ultimate goal is to experience the cruising lifestyle. Our ASA rally cruise (a rally is a group of boats cruising together) offers the best available introduction to cruising. Designed for sailors with ASA 101, our rallies offer a five-day tour of some of the best cruising areas on the Bay. We provide the boat, the experience and local knowledge of a certified ASA onboard instructor. The experience of cruising with other students looking to achieve the same ultimate goal of gaining the upper level ASA certifications, will enable you learn more from your colleagues. The usual cruise plan affords the experience of anchoring out two nights and spending two nights at marinas. There will be 20 spots (5 boats, 4 students per boat) available for each cruise. Price includes textbook and ASA 103 & 104 Certification fees.
* Linens provided, but students will learn to provision boat.
| Course 222 Weekend Introduction to Cruising Prerequisite: Students should have some sailing background and some general knowledge of boats |
Boat: Hunter
36 Days: Sat. - Sun. Cost: $675 Per Person* |
This course is a shortened, weekend version of our five-day cruising course.
Students should have some sailing background and some general knowledge of boats. In two days and one night aboard, students can sample the joys and challenges of living and cruising on a sailboat. Many peaceful and attractive anchorages are attainable in a one-day sail from Annapolis and Course 222 seeks to take maximum advantage of the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay. Fully provisioned and equipped boats, along with friendly, knowledgeable instructors, make Course 222 a popular weekend course.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run cruising courses.
* Price includes all provisions and linens.
Designed for students who have already achieved the ASA 101 certification, this is the next step in ASA’s certification program. This is a live-aboard course that provides a hands-on introduction to cruising. Meals and linens are provided. All of the skills and requirements for ASA 103 are covered in this comprehensive course. The last day is spent working with you on the written and practical testing for your ASA certification.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run cruising courses.
Prerequisite: Students should have some sailing background and some general knowledge of boats. Students interested in ASA certification must already possess ASA 101 certification. |
Boat: Hunter
36 Days: Mon. - Fri. Cost: $1800 Per Person* ASA fee $85 |
Our Bay Country Cruising Course is designed for experienced small boat sailors who want to experience the cruising lifestyle. For one low tuition cost we provide it all: the boat, provisions, bedding and the round-the-clock services of an onboard instructor. While this may sound like a luxury vacation, it is really a very intense learning situation. Students experience all aspects of cruising, from planning the itinerary, meal planning and shopping, to navigation and chart reading. Many of our students use this course to “put it all together” after taking lower level courses. This course is a tremendous confidence builder and a perfect transition from daysailing to cruising.
Each course is different and the instructor and students decide where they wish to go and whether marina hopping or anchoring in quiet coves is the plan. In the course of the five days and four nights aboard, students will experience all aspects of cruising, from choosing the sail plan for the day to engine checks; from cooking on board to anchoring safely and securely in a protected cove while a thunderstorm roars overhead.
* Price includes all provisions and linens.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run cruising courses.
Prerequisite: Previous sailing experience. |
Boat: Hunter
36 Days:available 7 days a week 9am - 1pm or 1pm - 5pm Cost: $250 Per Person |
Course 210 is for sailors who would like a refresher onboard the Hunter 36’ with an instructor. Your instructor will review any skills you would like to reinforce and can be tailored exactly to the needs of the students. We offer Course 210 seven days a week either from 9 am – 1 pm or 1 pm-5 pm.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
Prerequisite: Previous sailing experience. |
Boat: Hunter
36 Days: Mon. - Fri. Cost: $400 Per Person |
Course 220 is for sailors who would like a refresher onboard the Hunter with an instructor. Your instructor will review any skills you would like to reinforce and can be tailored exactly to the needs of the student. We offer Course 210 seven days a week from 9 am – 4 pm with an hour break for lunch.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
Prerequisite: Previous sailing experience. |
Boat: Hunter
36 |
Course 230 was designed to bridge the gap between our intermediate sailing courses and our advanced cruising courses. You instructor will work with you to fine tune your skills and cover more advanced sailing topics.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
| Course 313 Preparation for Handling a Cruising Auxiliary Prerequisite: Several years of small boat sailing experience and good basic sailing skills. |
Boat: Hunter
36 Days: Sat. - Sun. Cost: $775 Per Person |
The focus of Course 313 is on the things that make a cruising boat more complex than a day sailor. Issues like size and maneuverability, electrical and engine systems and all other systems needed for even a weekend aboard dominate this weekend course. Experienced small boat sailors “moving up” will find this information invaluable.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
| Course 322 Coastal Navigation and Piloting Prerequisite: Good boating skills, including familiarity with the basic use of a nautical chart. |
Boat: Hunter 36 Days: Sat. - Sun. Cost: $775 Per Person |
Course 322 presents a perfect balance of theory and practice. Students will review the basic concepts, assumptions and conventions of coastal navigation. Chart reading, plotting dead reckoning courses and the impact of electronic aids to navigation will all be thoroughly explored. At least half the class time will be spent underway, putting the skills taught in the classroom into practical application.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
Prerequisite: Course 225 or a strong sailing background with some cruising experience. |
Boat: Hunter
36 Days: Mon. - Fri. Cost: $1,300 Per Person |
Most new sailors seem to have a plan, either immediate or long term, to bareboat charter in some exotic location such as the Caribbean, Europe or the South Seas. Course 335 can be a major step in realizing that dream. This course is for sailors with big boat experience who are looking forward to chartering. The mix of theory and practice concentrates on docking under power, basic navigation, engine checks and basic troubleshooting— areas that plague fledgling charterers. What to look for on taking command of a chartered boat, how to organize a crew, and some basic emergency steps to take when things don’t work out quite as planned are also touched upon.
Students are graded on a specific list of skills. This grading sheet is kept on file so that potential charter companies can call us and check your references at any time. Having such a third party source of information on your sailing résumé can go a long way toward helping to secure that first charter.
Note: Students may book as singles, but we may require a minimum enrollment to run some courses.
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