ASA 101 / 103 · Basic Sailing & Coastal Cruising
The most efficient path from complete beginner to certified cruiser. Four days aboard a Hunter 31 on Grand Traverse Bay — earn both ASA 101 and ASA 103 certifications in one immersive block, with a live-aboard option and a learning cruise to put your new skills to work.
Apply for ASA 101/103ASA 101/103 is our flagship sailing course — the most popular way to go from never having sailed to independently certified in a single week. The course begins with ASA 101 fundamentals and builds progressively into ASA 103 coastal cruising skills over four consecutive days aboard a Hunter 31.
Students with an existing ASA 101 certification receive a $100 discount and join at the cruising skills level. Please provide your credentials at time of booking.
Note on boats: Courses run on Clara Mae or Hippocampus (both Hunter 31). Boat assignment is confirmed one week before your course start date, at which point you'll receive arrival information including your boat name and location in the marina. We reserve the right to reassign students between boats.
Four days, Thursday through Sunday, 9am to 4pm each day, aboard a Hunter 31. Live-aboard space is limited — call the office to reserve your cabin in advance. The price includes the ASA textbook, study guide, testing, and certification for both ASA 101 and ASA 103.
Board your class boat at 6:00 PM the evening before your first day of instruction. For example, if class begins Thursday, Sleep Aboard starts Wednesday at 6pm. Limited to 2 cabins per boat (up to 2 students per cabin). If 2 students each book a cabin, no additional Sleep Aboard spots are available. Contact the office to confirm availability.
Bedding package for live-aboard students. Recommended if you are not bringing your own.
Charter the same boat used for your course immediately following your class — put your new certifications to work with a supported, independent cruise. The Learning Cruise is only available as an add-on when booking ASA 101/103 and must follow directly after your course. It cannot be reserved at a later date.
Only one Learning Cruise is available per boat following each class. If two boats are running simultaneous courses, one student from each boat may charter their respective vessel.
Call 231.941.0535 to check dates or reserve live-aboard space.
Classes run mid-May through early October. Boat assignment confirmed 1 week prior to course. Contact the office to reserve live-aboard space or ask about additional dates.