Blue Water Sailing Courses
Blue Water Sailing School follows internationally accepted standards of the American Sailing Association (ASA). We offer basic, intermediate and advanced courses in sailing and navigation. Our week-long, live-aboard course format provides the most immersive environment possible and a more thorough experience than being on the boat just a few hours a day. Sure, we have textbooks and required reading, but that’s to prepare you for “hands on” instruction and practice.
We not only teach sailing techniques, we prepare you for a sailor’s way of life.
Courses for All Experience Levels
All of our courses are summarized below. You can check availability and dates, inquire about a particular class, or even apply online by clicking the Enroll Now button. For full details about the ASA curriculum, see the ASA Course Summaries. Information about class times, procedures, policies, and equipment can be found in our FAQ and Travel Planning sections.
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Course A: Bareboat SkipperOur most popular course - learn to sail and become certified for bareboat chartering and big boat sailing. This course combines the Basic Sailing (ASA 101), Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103), and Bareboat Chartering (ASA 104) levels of the ASA curriculum. No prior experience or certification is necessary for this course. If you’re completely new to sailing, however, it’s very important to study and prepare before the first day of class. You’ll receive course material in advance to help you do this.
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Course A+ Cat: Bareboat Catamaran SkipperLearn how to sail and Bareboat Charter a cruising catamaran. Includes everything from Course A+: Bareboat Skipper (above), with additional catamaran training that meets the ASA Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114) certification standard. For more details, see Catamaran Sailing.
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Course N: Coastal NavigationA home study program for Coastal Navigation - ASA 105. Cost includes textbooks, DVD, practice chart, testing and certification fees. Testing will be done immediately prior to the start of Course C or Course C Cat. This course or previous certification in ASA 105 (Coastal Navigation) is required for the Advanced Coastal Cruising (ASA 106) certification. $100 |
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Course C: Advanced Coastal SkipperIn this class for experienced coastal sailors you’ll learn advanced seamanship skills, maintenance, and troubleshooting of boat systems. Leaving from our Fort Lauderdale base, this course includes a Gulf Steam crossing to Bimini, Bahamas. After a few days cruising the Bimini Islands, you’ll make a return crossing of the Gulf Stream to Fort Lauderdale. This course covers the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve the Advanced Coastal Cruising (ASA 106) certification, with practical application of the Coastal Navigation (ASA 105) material. Requires previous certification in ASA 101, 103, and 104. These are earned as part of Course A+ - Bareboat Skipper (above). Also requires previous certification in ASA 105 - Coastal Navigation, or concurrent registration in Course N (above).
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Course C+ Cat: Advanced Catamaran SkipperA class for experienced coastal sailors, in which you’ll apply the navigation theory of Coastal Navigation (ASA 105) on a passage to the Bahamas and back. Learn and practice advanced seamanship skills, onboard maintenance, and troubleshooting of boat systems. This course covers the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve the Advanced Coastal Cruising (ASA 106) certification, with practical application of the Coastal Navigation (ASA 105) material. It also includes coursework and certification for ASA 114, Cruising Catamaran. Students must have prior certification in ASA 101, 103, and 104 (earned in Course A - Bareboat Chartering, above). Also requires previous certification in ASA 105 - Coastal Navigation, or concurrent registration in Course N (above). For more details, see Catamaran Sailing.
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Course D: Celestial NavigationLearn to navigate on the open ocean by the sun, moon, water, and planets. A four day clinic that is held immediately prior to the Offshore Passagemaking (ASA 108) course. Home study prior to the course is highly recommended. Includes textbook, plotting sheets and worksheets. Please inquire for pricing and availability. |
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Course O: Offshore PassagemakingThe ultimate in sailing education and the highest level of ASA certification. Upon successfully completing this course you’ll be able to act as captain or crew on sailing yachts up to 50 feet, anywhere in the world, in any condition. An unforgettable experience of open ocean and faraway islands. Requires all previous ASA certifications, except Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114). Learn more about the Offshore Passagemaking course.
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All our rates are per person, single occupancy. All prices are inclusive of boat, instructor, books, food, certification fees and taxes.
Your next step will be to sail around the world on your own boat…