I'm new to sailing, bought a Hunter 30 last fall, am 50 yrs old,thinking of taking the asa courses on sailing. Like to hear pros and cons on this, or any other comments or advice would be appreciated. thanks
Beginner Sailor thinking of taking ASA courses
- Thread starter kzilles
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Did same thing! Do it.
At 50, I signed up for ASA Basic and Coastal Cruising. Just before course started, bought a new H260. I sailed the 260 for 5 years before trading for a new, fully equiped 2003 H356. I sail Kentucky Lake and go offshore in Florida each fall either with a friend or charter. My wife and I really enjoy sailing - without the good start, I'm not sure I would have continued on. It all started with the ASA course at Lighthouse Landing on Ky Lake. Have fun and enjoy your boat.
At 50, I signed up for ASA Basic and Coastal Cruising. Just before course started, bought a new H260. I sailed the 260 for 5 years before trading for a new, fully equiped 2003 H356. I sail Kentucky Lake and go offshore in Florida each fall either with a friend or charter. My wife and I really enjoy sailing - without the good start, I'm not sure I would have continued on. It all started with the ASA course at Lighthouse Landing on Ky Lake. Have fun and enjoy your boat.
Go For It
My son and I took ASA 101 and 103 together. This was a two day course. The Marina let us sleep on the boat which saved the cost of a motel and also let us see what living on a boat was like. Our boat was a 32ft C&C. The class was taught by a 76 year old man who had a great sense of humor but was stern with safety and following directions. At first, we were concerned he might not be able to get around the boat at his age, but in all honesty, it was difficult for us to keep up! I'm 45 and my son is 21. The course was far from a no-brainer. Read your insruction book before you go to class - then read it again. Based on my personal experience, the course was money well spent. Best of luck. Joe
My son and I took ASA 101 and 103 together. This was a two day course. The Marina let us sleep on the boat which saved the cost of a motel and also let us see what living on a boat was like. Our boat was a 32ft C&C. The class was taught by a 76 year old man who had a great sense of humor but was stern with safety and following directions. At first, we were concerned he might not be able to get around the boat at his age, but in all honesty, it was difficult for us to keep up! I'm 45 and my son is 21. The course was far from a no-brainer. Read your insruction book before you go to class - then read it again. Based on my personal experience, the course was money well spent. Best of luck. Joe
Sign Up Today
You'll be glad you did. Don't forget to include spouse/significant other when you do. You'll get up the learning curve a lot faster and safer. Other than the cost, there are no negatives. The school at Lighthouse Landing on KY Lake is excellent, and it's a beautiful spot. Good sailing!
You'll be glad you did. Don't forget to include spouse/significant other when you do. You'll get up the learning curve a lot faster and safer. Other than the cost, there are no negatives. The school at Lighthouse Landing on KY Lake is excellent, and it's a beautiful spot. Good sailing!
Best Thing You Will Ever Do
My wife and I took 101-103 when I bought our new 2001 290 in virginia from the dealer and it was a great learning experience for both of us even better than we imagined it to be. We were both over 50 and had been sailing my hobie 18 and sailing on freinds bigger sail boats but it really helped out a lot when we started sailing our own boat,it made a big confidence builder for my wife,she now can sail our boat while I fall a sleep. nick
My wife and I took 101-103 when I bought our new 2001 290 in virginia from the dealer and it was a great learning experience for both of us even better than we imagined it to be. We were both over 50 and had been sailing my hobie 18 and sailing on freinds bigger sail boats but it really helped out a lot when we started sailing our own boat,it made a big confidence builder for my wife,she now can sail our boat while I fall a sleep. nick
get a good school
I also got my instruction at Lighthouse Landing - and it was well worth it. It whet my appetite for more and I continued through 106, all within my first 2 years of boating. What I learned from taking these ASA courses, besides what others have said of their value, is that there are good schools/instructors and not-so-good. My 104 and 106 instructor was incredibly awful. We complained and he ended up on probation when I and my three friends who took the course with me felt it was the clearest case for yanking a license in the history of humankind (several environmental violations, nearly running over snorkelers, and grounding us twice, not to mention not conducting 1/3 of the practical requirement drills for us, ad infinitum). ASA is a for-profit organization as opposed to US Sailing. I can't speak to the quality of US Sailing courses. Bottom line - repost your question about the Sandusky area and see if anyone has experience with the schools on Lake Erie. You want the best. Word of mouth is the best. The price is usually pretty close and will be worth it regardless. Good luck!
I also got my instruction at Lighthouse Landing - and it was well worth it. It whet my appetite for more and I continued through 106, all within my first 2 years of boating. What I learned from taking these ASA courses, besides what others have said of their value, is that there are good schools/instructors and not-so-good. My 104 and 106 instructor was incredibly awful. We complained and he ended up on probation when I and my three friends who took the course with me felt it was the clearest case for yanking a license in the history of humankind (several environmental violations, nearly running over snorkelers, and grounding us twice, not to mention not conducting 1/3 of the practical requirement drills for us, ad infinitum). ASA is a for-profit organization as opposed to US Sailing. I can't speak to the quality of US Sailing courses. Bottom line - repost your question about the Sandusky area and see if anyone has experience with the schools on Lake Erie. You want the best. Word of mouth is the best. The price is usually pretty close and will be worth it regardless. Good luck!
ASA Schools
My wife and I took 101 through 103 a few years ago prior to taking delivery of our new 356. We were both 49 at the time. We chartered a boat out of Miami Fl. and it was just she and I and the Captain (instructor). We were out for 5 or 6 days and it worked out very well. In addition to learning about sailing etc perhaps the most important part is we learned how to work the boat together. We have since done several coastal cruises here in the Northeast and the ASA training was invaluable in building up our confidence.
My wife and I took 101 through 103 a few years ago prior to taking delivery of our new 356. We were both 49 at the time. We chartered a boat out of Miami Fl. and it was just she and I and the Captain (instructor). We were out for 5 or 6 days and it worked out very well. In addition to learning about sailing etc perhaps the most important part is we learned how to work the boat together. We have since done several coastal cruises here in the Northeast and the ASA training was invaluable in building up our confidence.
Do it
My wife and I came back to sailing in our 50s, and took ASA clases through bareboat (I'm still working on navigation) and it was time and money well spent. We took from Tradewinds Sailing in SF Bay, but there are lots of good clubs/schools around, particularly in Florida. Consider tying it into a vacation. A winter week on a boat in the sun and learning: can't beat that.
My wife and I came back to sailing in our 50s, and took ASA clases through bareboat (I'm still working on navigation) and it was time and money well spent. We took from Tradewinds Sailing in SF Bay, but there are lots of good clubs/schools around, particularly in Florida. Consider tying it into a vacation. A winter week on a boat in the sun and learning: can't beat that.
Lighthouse Landing
Interesting that several of you took the courses at Lighthouse Landing. I used to live in Western Ky and knew Marty when he was selling boats on the side of US 62 in Calvert City. We sailed Ky lake for about 5 years. I thought about taking the courses in Fla., now I might do it on Ky Lake.
Interesting that several of you took the courses at Lighthouse Landing. I used to live in Western Ky and knew Marty when he was selling boats on the side of US 62 in Calvert City. We sailed Ky lake for about 5 years. I thought about taking the courses in Fla., now I might do it on Ky Lake.
Best money ever spent
My husband and I took ASA classes together and it's the best money we ever spent. Some information was confirming but we learned a lot and gained more confidence. I would recomend it to anyone. We took our lessons from BaySail Sailing School in Havre de Grace, MD on the Chesapeake. This also allowed us to sail in new waters and beginning next spring we will be keeping our new boat on the Chesapeake. We have only been sailing for 5 years and are in our fifites. We have both become pasionate about sailing. Fair winds! Joanne
My husband and I took ASA classes together and it's the best money we ever spent. Some information was confirming but we learned a lot and gained more confidence. I would recomend it to anyone. We took our lessons from BaySail Sailing School in Havre de Grace, MD on the Chesapeake. This also allowed us to sail in new waters and beginning next spring we will be keeping our new boat on the Chesapeake. We have only been sailing for 5 years and are in our fifites. We have both become pasionate about sailing. Fair winds! Joanne
I was a newby too.....
when I told my missus I wanted to learn to sail. I was 40 on the day of my first lesson, the ASA 101 course and got hooked immediately. You do need to find the right school though and ensure the instructors are doing it for the love of introducing their passion to someone ne rather than because they need the money. Wifey and I trawled a few local marinas and found one ith a fantastic attitude to new sailors and the perfect atmosphere to learn in. I then did the 103, and am currently studying the Coasatal Nav 105 class. When I recently bought my 29.5 Hunter, my 101 instructor and I brought her back form Jacksonville to Merritt Island hich is around 153 miles. Great fun and a new friend. ENJOY.
when I told my missus I wanted to learn to sail. I was 40 on the day of my first lesson, the ASA 101 course and got hooked immediately. You do need to find the right school though and ensure the instructors are doing it for the love of introducing their passion to someone ne rather than because they need the money. Wifey and I trawled a few local marinas and found one ith a fantastic attitude to new sailors and the perfect atmosphere to learn in. I then did the 103, and am currently studying the Coasatal Nav 105 class. When I recently bought my 29.5 Hunter, my 101 instructor and I brought her back form Jacksonville to Merritt Island hich is around 153 miles. Great fun and a new friend. ENJOY.
Probably a good idea, but not required
Hello, If you want to take the course, it's probably a good idea to do so. However, I don't believe that it is absolutely necessary. If you want to learn on your own you can. Try to find a knowledgable friend to go out with the first few times, then just read read read and sail sail sail. Obviously make sure pick good weather until you get more experienced. Regardless of how many classes you take, there is no replacement for lots of time sailing YOUR boat. Good luck, Barry
Hello, If you want to take the course, it's probably a good idea to do so. However, I don't believe that it is absolutely necessary. If you want to learn on your own you can. Try to find a knowledgable friend to go out with the first few times, then just read read read and sail sail sail. Obviously make sure pick good weather until you get more experienced. Regardless of how many classes you take, there is no replacement for lots of time sailing YOUR boat. Good luck, Barry
Take something
My title sums it up. Whatever course you take will not hurt you. ASA likes to advertise that charter companies want the certification, but, out of the US, I found they could care less. Still, go to school. Seamanship is something one can not put a price tag on.
My title sums it up. Whatever course you take will not hurt you. ASA likes to advertise that charter companies want the certification, but, out of the US, I found they could care less. Still, go to school. Seamanship is something one can not put a price tag on.
Bwss
Hi Kim, I'm a newbie and purchased at Catalina 27 this winter. I selected Blue Water Sailing School and I'm head to their ASA 101,103,104 course in St. Thomas this April. I'm the only one signed up as of this moment and one more sailor is require to avoid cancellation. I'm (hopefully) departing on the 8th. Take a look at their site.
Hi Kim, I'm a newbie and purchased at Catalina 27 this winter. I selected Blue Water Sailing School and I'm head to their ASA 101,103,104 course in St. Thomas this April. I'm the only one signed up as of this moment and one more sailor is require to avoid cancellation. I'm (hopefully) departing on the 8th. Take a look at their site.
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