What to Expect During Your Class

How do we teach our classes?

First of all, we spend as much time on the water as possible. We begin each day with a short lecture on theory, knot tying, or Coast Guard rules to ensure that our students are prepared to execute the practical requirements on the water.

Students are expected to have completed all of the assigned textbook reading prior to the first day of the course. If all students adhere to this requirement, then even less time is spent on land.

Then it's out of the slip for practical application. The instructor demonstrates the procedure and then it's the student's turn.

Students alternate as either crew or helmsman for each procedure. Back in the slip, we have a critique of the day's activities and plan for any areas that require additional work. We don't believe doing something once is enough. We stress repetition to reinforce what the student has leaned.

Our instructors only act as helmsman or crew to demonstrate procedures, the majority of the time, the students are handling the yacht.

Our Sailing School method allows students to learn the roles and responsibilities of both helmsman and crew and develop their skills working as a team. When a student is acting as helmsman, he is responsible for organizing and commanding the crew. Proper and clear communication skills are an important part of this position.

Our class size limit of 3 (most courses) to 4 students allows plenty of practice time.

The Written Test

Prior to sailing on your own at your course level, you must pass the written ASA test. You will take the written test on the last day of your course. A passing grade of 80% is required overall and 100% correct is required on the Right of Way rules questions.