For an ASA 104 Bareboat graduate, the San Francisco Bay has been an elite training ground. Navigating the Slot’s heavy breeze and the Central Bay’s complex currents has prepared you for more than just local weekenders; it has laid the foundation for global "island hopping" in destinations like the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and beyond.
But there is a distinct line between coastal cruising and the raw, rhythmic endurance of the open ocean. To transition from a coastal skipper to an offshore passage-maker, you must evolve. Our September 7 – 13 ASA 108 Offshore Passagemaking course is the final summit. To get there, you need to bridge the gap this summer with two critical evolutions: one of the mind, and one of the helm.
1. The Navigation Mindset: ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
Scheduled Dates: July 21 – 30
Before you leave the sight of land, you must know how to confidently plan multi-day routes, and handle the ever-changing conditions of coastal waters. ASA 105 is where you stop being a passenger to your GPS and start becomin a true navigator. You’ll learn manual plotting, tide calculations, and the USCG Navigation Rules. Learn more about ASA 105 fundamentals required for the ASA 108 and 107/117 prerequisites.
2. Combination Experience: ASA 105 - 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising
Availability: July 13 – 19 (Only 1 spot left!) | August 17 – 23 (Waitlist)
This is where the theory hits the water. If ASA 104 teaches you how to manage a boat, ASA 106 teaches you how to manage a voyage. Our currently ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising courses have waitlist. There is still one berth available to earn both your coastal navigation and advanced coastal course with this combination liveaboard passage: ASA 105-106 Combination Coastal Cruising course. Leave the protected waters of the SF Bay, learn and test your skills in various conditions, day or night, at anchorage or underway. You’ll learn everything above plus the following in 105 - 106:
- Night Operations: Stand a navigation watch for at least 20 miles under the stars.
- Heavy Weather & Engineering: Troubleshooting engine issues (from fuel lines to electrical) and managing sail trim in 20+ knots of wind.
- Advanced Seamanship: Anchoring as a team and refined sail theory to balance weather helm.
- Learn more about ASA 105-106 here.
3. Celestial Navigation: ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement
Availability: August 08 – 09 (Enrolling Now)
This course is designed for those interested in gaining a foundational understanding of how to navigate offshore without relying on GPS or electronic tools. Prerequisite is ASA 105 Coastal Navigation.
- Sextant Proficiency: Learn the proper care, handling, and technique required to accurately measure celestial altitudes.
- Celestial Calculations: Gain the foundational skills to navigate by the sun, including using the Nautical Almanac and sight reduction tables.
- Navigational Plotting: Interpret time, GMT, and celestial data to determine your position and plot lines of position (LOPs) on a nautical chart.
- Learn more about ASA 117 here.
Flexible Pathways:
At Modern Sailing, you can dive into the physical challenge of ASA 106 before completing your ASA 105 theory. You have up to one year after completing an on-water course (ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising or ASA 108 Offshore Passagemaking) to finish the required navigation theory (ASA 105 Coastal Navigation or ASA 107 Celestial Navigation/ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement) and receive both certifications.
Is your logbook ready for September?
The ASA 108 Offshore Passagemaking course is the pinnacle of the ASA curriculum.
The Pathways
On the Water: ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising → ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising (Complete ASA 105 within 1 year of finishing 106)
Navigation: ASA 105 Coastal Navigation → ASA 117 or 107 (If you complete ASA 105 and 106, you may enroll in ASA 108 based on your resume).
Questions? Let our knowledgable office team go over your specific pathway and suggest development sails, ASA course challenges if you have previous sailing experience but not the certifications. We're here to help.
Learn More - ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
Learn More - ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising
Learn More - ASA 107 Celestial Navigation
Learn More - ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement
Learn More - ASA 108 Offshore Passagemaking
