ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing (Cruising Boat) | Modern Sailing

ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing (Cruising Boat)

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

Learn to Sail on San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay's famous wind, strong currents, and heavy shipping traffic offer sailors one of the most challenging and exciting sailing venues in the world. With the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz in the background, learning to sail in ASA 101 will give you the experience and skills you need to enjoy sailing in a variety of conditions - with confidence. This American Sailing Association course provides the skills you'll need to enjoy active participation as crew in the operation of a sailboat. Learn sailing terminology and its applications, essential knots, points of sail, navigation rules, docking basics, and more. 

Your four days of hands-on training will be under the guidance of a US Coast Guard licensed and ASA certified sailing instructor. Courses consist of lecture and mostly hands-on training while sailing our Silver Fleet vessels (30 to 32 feet). 

Your official ASA logbook and Sailing Made Easy textbook are included with your purchase of this course and will be mailed to you. If you wish to pick up your books 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 Sailing 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 101, you will be prepared for ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising and well on your way to becoming a skipper on San Francisco Bay and beyond.

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

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

Cost for Members: 
$1025
Cost for Non Members: 
$1260
Prerequisites: 
None
Students enjoying the Basic Keelboat Course (ASA 101) on San Francisco Bay

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  • Lisa Butzer Wilde

    Thumbs up to (Club Skipper) Geoff (Love) and his wife Laura. I went on my first Club Sail on Sunday, January 18, 2026. They were terrific!

  • Jessica Zittere, Member

    The Full Moon Sail with Skipper Bob Gutsgell was Ah-Mayzing!! The group dynamic was lovely and the views spectacular. I can't say enough good things about the experience. Thanks so much for the wonderful Club Sails, they are really great.

  • Andrew Goble, San Francisco

    It has been wonderful sailing with MSC over the years. Please extend my thanks to the owners, management, and staff for unrequited professionalism and high standards in a charter fleet. I have sailed with several in my years and none nearly hold a candle to the quality of business and staff at Modern Sailing.

  • Danny Collins

    The office staff was very accommodating in meeting my availability.

  • Mike, Santa Rosa, California

    All of the courses and my instructors (JT and Stan) were extremely professional and full of knowledge and experience. I found I was able to learn from their experiences beyond the scope of the courses, and look forward to future opportunities to do so. I would highly recommend Modern Sailing to anyone.

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Modern Sailing School & Club

Sausalito Location
2310 Marinship Way, Sausalito
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

Berkeley Location
1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

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