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. 


Registration & Next Steps

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

Note on Course Prerequisite Recency:

  • If you have completed ASA 101 within the past 2 years, you are ready to enroll.
  • If you completed ASA 101 more than 2 years ago, and have sailed since but not with Modern Sailing, please submit a recent Sailing Resume.
  • If it has been more than 2 years since you were last on the water, you can fulfill the recency requirement by booking an ASA 111-101 Sailing Review Course. Please contact our team to discuss scheduling and your path to ASA 103.
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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  • Alisa Driscoll, Dual Site Member

    Here are some snaps of Our Saturday, August 20, 2022 Modern Sailing Expedition with Captain Robert Bivin, who was outstanding. Please convey photos and thanks to him. He is an outstanding individual, leader and sailing instructor. His knowledge and experience made us all feel safe and our Farallones Day Trip educational and just amazing. 

  • 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!

  • John Clark

    Every aspect of Modern Sailing - training, syllabus, course materials, quality of the boats, quality of the instructors, and the very friendly and helpful staff - exceeded my expectations. Modern Sailing has a first class sailing program in an environment with challenging winds and currents. I look forward to coming back to charter a boat and certainly plan to continue my sailing training.

  • Danny Collins

    The office staff was very accommodating in meeting my availability.

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