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Advanced Lessons, Endorsements, and Private Instruction

Already been through the basic sailing lessons? Continue your sailing education with our advanced sailing lessons & sailing endorsements. Whether you wish to cruise downwind with a spinnaker flying or safely and confidently dock boats 24ft-40ft, we have a course that fits your needs.

ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising

Advanced Coastal Cruising sailboat Sail for 30 consecutive hours (including overnight) on this hands-on 3-day, 2-night cruising course with four students and two instructors.  The skills gained in this course will prepare you to cruise the world but will prove useful for local cruising as well.

SSC Member Price

$1617

Non-Member Price

$2079

3 days, 2 nights; first 30-hours continuous sailing with practice rotating watches; 1 night docked or anchored

  • Use of barometer and thermometer independently and concurrently
  • Learn about the weather: the types of clouds and what weather to expect from each, thermal and prevailing winds, and the weather sources available in the U.S.
  • Sail selection in various weather conditions
  • Learn a variety of heavy-weather precautionary safety checks/changes
  • Learn how to use a second anchor to prevent swinging
  • Covers specific emergencies and how to handle each on board
  • Gain hands-on experience reading tides/currents, plotting courses, determining set/drift, three-point fixes, running fixes, compass correction
  • GPS, weather sources, latitude/longitude, charts, local destinations and hazards in the Puget Sound, Admiralty Inlet, and the Straits of Juan de Fuca
  • Learn night navigation, lights, buoys, and how to handle traffic after-dark
  • Practical application of ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
  • 18+ years old
  • ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Certification
  • ASA 103: Basic Coastal Cruising Certification
  • ASA 104: Bareboat Charter Certification
  • ASA 105: Coastal Navigation Certification

Class Size:

Minimum to run a lesson: 4 students/lesson

Maximum in each lesson: 6 students/lesson

Friday – Sunday or 3 Consecutive Weekdays

9:00am the first day thru 5:00pm the last day

Lesson Cancellation Policy (Shilshole lessons only)
  • Cancellations within 14-days of the lesson are non-refundable.
  • Rescheduling within 14-days of the lesson will result in a rescheduling fee of 50% of the cost of the course. 
Lesson Refund Policy:
  • Lessons are refundable up to 6 months after purchase. 
  • Shipping costs are non-refundable. 
  • Course materials picked up or shipped are non-refundable
Q: How can I prepare for my ASA course? Are there any course materials I need before the lesson?

  1. Schedule your lesson. Call or email the club to schedule your lesson. While scheduling this lesson, please make sure to notify SSC of any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
  2. Pick up & READ the course materials. Advanced Cruising & Seamanship by American Sailing Association and ASA 106 syllabus are available at Seattle Sailing Club. If you live out of the area, we can ship the materials to you. Note: The course materials are included in the cost of the course, but there is an additional fee to ship them.
  3. Get a head start on the reading. Reading the course text and syllabus will give you an idea of what to expect during the lesson.
  4. Pack your bag according to the marine weather forecast. We suggest bringing a waterproof outer shell, warm layers made with polyester, fleece, wool or merino wool (no cotton), non-slip/non-marking shoes, a water bottle, lunch, sunscreen, and chapstick. Use the ASA 104 packing list as a guide while you pack for your weekend adventure. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) website provides up-to-date weather forecasts for the Puget Sound area. At the bottom of the page, you will find the forecast for the Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
Q: What is the certification process and how much does it cost?
  1. Complete the lesson.
  2. Pass the ASA 106 written certification exam along with the on-the-water skills test (completed during the last day of the lesson).
  3. Pay the $30 ASA certification exam fee.
  4. Get on the water! After passing your ASA 106 exam, you have officially completed your certification. You are now able to safely skipper vessels 30ft-50ft in coastal and inland waters both day and night.  If you’ve joined one of Seattle Sailing Club’s memberships, you are now certified to skipper all boats within our fleet. Your certification should arrive in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks after passing the exam. For more information on ASA’s International Proficiency Certification, click here.

My favorite SSC memory is seeing the Northern lights during the night sail component of my 106 course with instructor, Beth. Michael S. -- SSC member since 2008

ASA 118 Docking Endorsement

Shilshole Marina SunsetDocking is one of the most stressful aspects of sailing because you are coming within inches of a solid and unforgiving obstruction, very capable of damaging your vessel. We believe docking should be as relaxing as sailing itself, thus we offer the Docking Endorsement, to help make docking your vessel as second nature as parking your car.

SSC Member Price

$494

Non-Member Price

$609

  • Learn to dock confidently in various weather conditions
  • Boat dynamics such as pivot points, rudder friction, and throttle kick
  • Create a plan considering the course, speed and always have a secondary plan
  • Appropriate line handling
  • Skipper and crew responsibilities while docking
  • Boat tie up and docking knots
  • Maneuvering in tight quarters
  • 18+ years old


 Class Size:

Minimum to run a lesson: 3 students/lesson

Maximum in each lesson: 4 students/lesson

Two consecutive days: 10am to 4pm

Lesson Cancellation Policy (Shilshole lessons only)
  • Cancellations within 14-days of the lesson are non-refundable.
  • Rescheduling within 14-days of the lesson will result in a rescheduling fee of 50% of the cost of the course. 
Lesson Refund Policy:
  • Lessons are refundable up to 6 months after purchase. 
  • Shipping costs are non-refundable. 
  • Course materials picked up or shipped are non-refundable
Q: How can I prepare for my ASA course? Are there any course materials I need before the lesson?
Docking Techniques book cover - Purchase ASA 118 Textbook Here

  1. Schedule your lesson. Call or email the club to schedule your lesson.
  2. Pick up & READ the course materials. Docking Techniques by Tom Tursi and ASA 118 syllabus are available at Seattle Sailing Club. If you live out of the area, we can ship the materials to you. Note: The course materials are included in the cost of the course, but there is an additional fee to ship them.
  3. Get a head start on the reading. Reading the course text and syllabus will give you an idea of what to expect during the lesson.
  4. Pack your bag according to the marine weather forecast. We suggest bringing a waterproof outer shell, warm layers made with polyester, fleece, wool or merino wool (no cotton), non-slip/non-marking shoes, a water bottle, lunch, sunscreen, and chapstick. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) website provides up-to-date weather forecasts for the Puget Sound area. At the bottom of the page, you will find the forecast for the Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
Q: What is the certification process and how much does it cost?
  1. Complete the lesson.
  2. Pass the ASA 118 written endorsement exam along with the on-the-water skills test (completed during the last day of the lesson).
  3. Pay $30 ASA 118 endorsement exam fee.
  4. Upon completing this course you will have acquired the skills to confidently skipper inboard and outboard engine charter boats in tight quarters. You will gain hands-on experience maneuvering and securing boats in various weather conditions and increase your competence with techniques applicable to 20ft-50ft single engine sailboats. Your certification should arrive in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks after passing your certification exam. 

ASA 111 Review – Spinnaker Handling Course

Spinnaker Handling CourseSpinnakers are the colorful, balloon-shaped sails that increase a boat’s speed while sailing downwind in a sailing regatta. Learn the fundamentals of this fun downwind sail and how to safely and efficiently pack, jibe, trim, and douse asymmetrical spinnakers on both the J/80s and J/105s.

SSC Member Price

$494

Non-Member Price

$609

12 hours; 2-3 hours of in classroom instruction*; 10-11 hours on the water hands-on instruction on keelboats 22′ to 40′

  • Fundamentals of the spinnaker
  • Use of spinnakers for racing and cruising
  • Advanced sail trim
  • How to safely hoist and douse
  • Equipment and rigging
  • Packing, jibing,  and trimming
  • Asymmetrical spinnakers

 

  • 18+ years old
  • ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Certification
  • ASA 103: Basic Coastal Cruising Certification

 Class Size:

Minimum to run a lesson: 3 students/lesson

Maximum in each lesson: 4 students/lesson

Two consecutive days – 10am to 4pm

Lesson Cancellation Policy (Shilshole lessons only)
  • Cancellations within 14-days of the lesson are non-refundable.
  • Rescheduling within 14-days of the lesson will result in a rescheduling fee of 50% of the cost of the course. 
Lesson Refund Policy:
  • Lessons are refundable up to 6 months after purchase. 
  • Shipping costs are non-refundable. 
  • Course materials picked up or shipped are non-refundable
Q: How can I prepare for my course?
  1. Schedule your lesson. Call or email the club to schedule your lesson.
  2. Suggested materials for this lesson include The International Marine Book of Sailing by Robby Robinson, Spinnaker Handling Course syllabus and checking out a few J/24, J/80, and J/105 spinnaker videos on YouTube.
  3. Get a head start on the reading. Reading the suggested course text and syllabus will give you an idea of what to expect during the lesson.

ASA 119 Weather Endorsement

Weather Endorsement course

Understanding marine weather is one of the most important skills of a good sailor. When to sail, where to sail, even if you should cast off at all are decisions that rely upon a sailor’s ability to predict the wind. Temperature, wind, and precipitation contribute to the ‘fun factor’ of sailing whether you prefer warm and dry or wet and wild.

Marine weather impacts many safety considerations: skipper and crew experience, vessel stability, what equipment to use, clothes to wear, potential navigational hazards, and a respect that accidents and equipment failures are more likely in adverse weather.

SSC Member Price

$494

Non-Member Price

$609

–         The 14-hour course includes four sessions, each 3.5 hours in length, with breaks. Classroom sessions utilize pictures, videos, websites, and class discussions in addition to presentation slides.

–        Between sessions, students can read the textbook, review suggested articles and blogs, and work through a variety of practice scenarios at their own pace to solidify understanding.

–        This is a live online class with active participation between students and instructors, but individual sessions can be recorded for those that are enrolled in the course, but have to miss a class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18+ years old

This course is run on a demand basis.

Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am – 4pm. 

Class Size:

Minimum to run a lesson: 10 students/lesson

Maximum in each lesson: 12 students/lesson

Lesson Cancellation Policy (Shilshole lessons only)
  • Cancellations within 14-days of the lesson are non-refundable.
  • Rescheduling within 14-days of the lesson will result in a rescheduling fee of 50% of the cost of the course. 
Lesson Refund Policy:
  • Lessons are refundable up to 6 months after purchase. 
  • Shipping costs are non-refundable. 
  • Course materials picked up or shipped are non-refundable
Q: How can I prepare for my ASA course? Are there any course materials I need before the lesson?
Marine Weather book cover

Schedule your lesson. Call or email the club to schedule your lesson.

Pick up & READ the course materials. Modern Marine Weather by David Burch and ASA Introduction to Weather Workbook are available at Seattle Sailing Club. If you live out of the area, we can ship the materials to you. Note: The course materials are included in the cost of the course, but there is an additional fee to ship them.

Get a head start on the reading. Reading over the course text and syllabus will give you an idea of what to expect during the lesson.

Pack your bag according to the marine weather forecast. We suggest bringing a waterproof outer-shell, warm layers made with polyester, fleece, wool or merino wool (no cotton), non-slip/non-marking shoes, a water bottle, lunch, sunscreen, and chapstick. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) website provides up-to-date weather forecasts for the Puget Sound area. At the bottom of the page, you will find the forecast for the Puget Sound and Hood Canal.

Q: What is the certification process and how much does it cost?

Complete the lesson.

Pass the ASA 119 written endorsement exam.

Pay $30 ASA 119 endorsement exam fee.

Upon completing this course you will understand and demonstrate the proper use of weather information in planning and adapting navigation during local and passage-making voyages. Demonstrate the ability to use both the latest technological tools as well as traditional maritime skills to forecast weather conditions.  Your certification should arrive in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks after passing your certification exam. 

Private Lessons

Couple with sailing Private InstructionMade your way through the basic and advanced ASA courses but looking for more time practicing skills? We can organize time with one of our instructors and design a curriculum to fit your goals. Want to practice jibes, reefing, or spend some time docking? We can make it happen, just give us a ring we’ll get you on the water!

Member Rate

$100/hour (up to 2 students)

Non-Member Rate

$160/hour (up to 2 students)

Private Lessons On Your Own Boat:

$160/hour (it is required that SSC and the SSC instructor are put onto your personal boat’s insurance policy before the scheduled lesson)

Scheduling Your Private Lesson

  • Please plan to schedule 2-3 weeks ahead for private lessons
  • 3-hour minimum
  • Available Monday thru Friday 9am to 5pm, weekends may be available November – February

Call (206)782-5100 or Email for scheduling and availability.

 

Lesson Cancellation Policy (Shilshole lessons only)
  • Cancellations within 14-days of the lesson are non-refundable.
  • Rescheduling within 14-days of the lesson will result in a rescheduling fee of 50% of the cost of the course.
Lesson Refund Policy:
  • Lessons are refundable up to 6 months after purchase.
  • Shipping costs are non-refundable.
  • Course materials picked up or shipped are non-refundable

My instructor Roger is wonderful, very knowledgeable, kind, patient, and helpful…   Becky D. -- SSC member since 2011
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