ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement | Modern Sailing

ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement

2 days, 9:00am - 3:30pm

Embark on a journey to learn the age-old techniques of celestial navigation, a fundamental skill that connects mariners to the vastness of the cosmos and the traditions of seafaring. While modern vessels are equipped with sophisticated electronic navigation systems, the ability to pinpoint your position using the sun, moon, planets, and stars offers self-reliance and seaworthy preparedness. 

The ASA 117 course introduces sailors to the timeless art of celestial navigation using a sextant and celestial bodies to determine position at sea. This course is designed for those interested in gaining a foundational understanding of how to navigate offshore without relying on GPS or electronic tools. 

What You'll Learn:

  • Basic concepts of celestial navigation
  • Use and care of the sextant
  • How to measure the sun's altitude
  • Use of the Nautical Almanac and sight reduction table
  • Determining latitude and longitude by sun sight
  • Understanding time, time zones, and GMT
  • Plotting lines of position (LOPs) on a nautical chart

Your Celestial Endorsement textbook, GPS Backup with a Mark 2 Sextant by David Burch, is included with the purchase of your course and will be mailed to you. If you prefer to pick up your course materials in person or if you signed up less than a week from the first day of your course, please contact our office. Advance study of these books will enhance your success in this course.

Enroll in ASA 117 to equip yourself with this essential skill. If you're interested in a deeper dive into celestial navigation, look for our ASA 107 course, typically scheduled during the fall and winter months.

Cost for Members: 
$545
Cost for Non Members: 
$725
Prerequisites: 
ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
Capt. Steve Matles using sextant

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  • John Boynton

    The class was terrific. I know you must get many compliments about your sailing instructors...But I must tell you that Robert is outstanding. Having taught SCUBA, I really appreciate the way he is so sensitive to all on board, dealing with each so well, knowing quickly their strengths and weaknesses making each feel special and cared for.

  • 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. 

  • Ray Arceneaux

    The vessel was clean and in fine condition - very nice boat for training, well-equipped.

  • Trudy Flores

    Captain Jeff Cathers is really cool. I had such a great time on the Farallones Day Trip. It was actually my very best day of 2020. Thank you so much for coordinating the trip.

  • Warren Leiden, Member

    I try to get out on the water every week: out the Gate, around Angel, up Raccoon - I love it all. After 18 years as a member of OCSC in Berkeley, I learned to sail the bigger boats at Modern by taking ASA 103 and 104. My ASA 104 instructor Dave Russell was terrific. Also, Captain Bill Moreland has been very generous in giving informal advice whenever I’ve asked him. Thanks to Bill, I no longer have any anxiety about docking!

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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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