ASA 103 Sailing Lessons | Modern Sailing School

ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising (Cruising Boat)

2 consecutive weekends, Sat & Sun (9am - 3:30pm); or 4 consecutive weekdays (9am - 3:30pm)

Have you completed ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing? Now that you have a solid understanding of sailing fundamentals under your life vest, you're ready to refine and expand your skills in ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising. This course will prepare you to skipper daytime sailing expeditions in San Francisco Bay. The course curriculum includes:

  • Docking and maneuvering under power
  • Anchoring
  • Crew overboard recovery
  • Heaving to techniques
  • Reefing underway and hove-to
  • Correcting for weather helm
  • Tide and current analysis
  • Introduction to chart navigation
  • Safety and seamanship

This four-day course consists of classroom lectures, and hands-on training under the guidance of a US Coast Guard licensed and America Sailing Association certified instructor. Each course has a maximum of 4 students.

The Coastal Cruising Made Easy textbook is included with your purchase of this course and will be mailed to you. If you wish to pick up your textbook in person or if you sign up less than a week from the first day of your course, please contact our office. Optionally, you may purchase the Coastal Cruising Made Easy e-book directly from the ASA. Advance study of your textbook will enhance your success in this course.

Upon successful completion of ASA 103, Modern Sailing club members are qualified to charter our Silver Fleet vessels. 

There are three ways to register for this course - by phone (415) 331-8250, email, or by clicking the link below.

View Schedule and Sign Up | Bundle & Save - Special Packages

Cost for Members: 
$1130
Cost for Non Members: 
$1470
Prerequisites: 
ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing
Sailing Student trims the sail during a Basic Coastal Cruising Sailing Lesson on San Francisco Bay with Modern Sailing School and Club

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  • John Kipping

    The meeting room was quite adequate and the location most convenient, but the course outline and instruction were outstanding. Modern Sailing is fortunate to have such a well organized instructor in Mr. Stan Lander who teaches very well from a rich professional background. Mr. Lander was generous with his time and patiently in helping students who needed more attention or time in understanding various aspects of the curriculum.

  • Danny Collins

    The office staff was very accommodating in meeting my availability.

  • John Kratochvil, Oregon

    I would like to compliment Stan Lander for his coaching, counseling and teaching Heavy Weather Offshore Sailing. Stan was very accommodating to all of the student's interests and shared his many years of insight on handling the boat in heavy seas. I would certainly recommend Stan and this course to sheltered waters sailors. My confidence in handling a boat of this size was certainly enhanced by the experience.

  • Steve Hood, Basic Coastal Cruising

    I would definitely recommend Modern Sailing to anyone who is interested in learning to sail the right way.

  • David Dolenc, Member

    I love sailing in the San Francisco Bay and greatly appreciate everything that MSC has to offer, the classes, clinics, club sails, racing and charters. I enjoy our supportive sailing community and use every opportunity to spend time on the water. After obtaining the certifications from MSC I did my first charter in Croatia in 2022 with my family. It was amazing and we’re looking forward to returning soon!

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