ASA Courses | Modern Sailing

ASA Courses

ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement

Capt. Steve Matles using sextant
2 days, 9:00am - 3:30pm
- All Locations

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. 

ASA 116 - Dinghy & Outboard Endorsement

Modern Sailing offers the American Sailing Association's Dinghy & Outboard Endorsement
One Day, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
- All Locations

The ASA 116 Dinghy and Outboard Endorsement offers practical training in handling and maintaining dinghies and their outboard motors. You'll become familiar with essential terminology, learn safe operating procedures, and develop the skills to maneuver a dinghy in various situations. The course covers all aspects of dinghy use, from launching and boarding to securing your dinghy at a busy dock or yacht. You'll practice key techniques such as safe docking, emergency engine troubleshooting, and deploying anchors.

ASA 108, Offshore Passagemaking

7 days, 6 nights
- Sausalito

Are you ready to take your sailing knowledge and skills to the next level and complete one of sailing’s great rites of passage, a multi-day offshore voyage well beyond the sight of land in the open Pacific Ocean? If so, the Modern Sailing ASA 108 Offshore Passage Making course is for you. 

ASA 107, Celestial Navigation

6 evenings, Tues / Wed / Thurs
- Sausalito

Since ancient times, human beings have looked to the heavens to find our way around on Earth. It was only a few hundred years ago that we developed systems to plot latitude and longitude fixes based on the positions of celestial bodies, and the common practice of celestial navigation by means of a sextant emerged. The basic premise of celestial navigation relies on calculating angles between the observer, the horizon, and a predictable celestial body such as the sun, moon, or visible planets and stars.

ASA 118, Docking Endorsement

Modern Sailing offers the American Sailing Association's docking endorsement, ASA 118
One Day, 9am - 4:30pm
- All Locations

The winds and tidal currents of San Francisco Bay can be challenging to sailors not only when sailing out on the bay, but especially when maneuvering in and out of dock slips. Join us for this one-day course in which you will learn strategies and techniques to safely and efficiently dock a 30' - 32' auxiliary-powered sailboat in a variety of conditions. Hands-on practice will increase your overall boat handling confidence while you gain knowledge of basic auxiliary power theory, engine and steering controls, proper use of dock lines, crew communication, and safety.

ASA 105, Coastal Navigation

6 Evenings, Tues / Weds / Thurs (6:30 - 9:30pm)
- Sausalito

The ASA 105, Coastal Navigation workshop offers advanced chart navigation instruction and prepares students to successfully complete the certification exam. With an experienced USCG captain as your instructor, learn and practice chart reading, tidal current determination, dead reckoning, position fixes, running fixes, danger bearings, set and drift calculations, and more.

This course has no prerequisites! This means no matter where you are in your sailing education, you can gain the skills to become a competent navigator.

ASA 105/106, California Coastal Combination Course (Coastal Navigation & Advanced Coastal Cruising)

7 days / 6 nights, Mon - Sun
- Sausalito

The dynamic California Coast provides the perfect setting for training at an advanced level. This 7-day course combines ASA 105, Coastal Navigation and ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising certifications. Discover ocean sailing and benefit from the wealth of knowledge that our instructors have gained from their own extensive cruising adventures.

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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.

  • Ray Arceneaux

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

  • Sara Jane G.

    I've taken two classes at MSS&C and was very happy with the program. This is also a great club with lots of opportunities for camaraderie and practice on the water. The boats in the fleet are fantastic and kept in tip-top shape. I highly recommend for all sailors and would-be sailors!

  • 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!

  • Steve Hood, Basic Coastal Cruising

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

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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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