All Sailing Classes

Discover our comprehensive sailing courses designed for beginners through advanced mariners.

Chart Your Course with ASA-Certified Sailing Classes

Puget Sound Sailing Institute offers expert ASA-certified training to help you confidently sail Seattle, Tacoma, Des Moines, and Anacortes waters.

Puget Sound Sailing - Seattle Tacoma - Keelboat

ASA 101: Keelboat 1

Beginner Sailing Class

Master the essentials of sailing a 20-27' keelboat in calm to moderate winds. Ideal for beginners seeking confidence on the water.

Skills Covered:

  • Sailing fundamentals and terminology

  • Basic boat handling and safety

  • Sail trimming, tacking, jibing

  • Docking and crew communication

Sunset view from a sailboat with ocean waves and clouds.

ASA 103/104: Combo Class

Intermediate Sailing Class

Learn to skipper a 30-50' sloop-rigged, auxiliary-powered keelboat on day or multi-day cruises in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots).

Skills Covered:

  • Multi-day cruise provisioning

  • Advanced coastal navigation

  • Heavy weather sailing

  • Emergency procedures

A sailboat deck with ropes and masts, against a sunset background.

Maintenance Clinic

All Level Class

Hands-on clinic covering essential maintenance for 36'-46' sailboats, focusing on preventive care and safety.

Skills Covered:

  • Engine and rigging maintenance

  • Electrical and plumbing systems

  • Hull inspection and care

Sailboats racing on open water with sun shining, blue sky, and clouds.

Racing Class

Intermediate Class

Develop strategic sailing skills for competitive racing, emphasizing teamwork and tactics.

Skills Covered:

  • Racecourse strategy

  • Sail trim and boat speed

  • Team tactics and mark roundings

Close-up of coiled rope on a wooden sailboat deck at sunset on the ocean.

ASA 108: Offshore Passagemaking

Advanced Sailing Class

Prepare for extended offshore voyages using celestial navigation and advanced seamanship.

Skills Covered:

  • Offshore navigation techniques

  • Passage planning and sail repair

  • Heavy weather preparedness

  • Watch-keeping protocols

Sailing boat deck in sunset with water splashes

ASA 119: Marine Weather Endorsement

Advanced Sailing Class

Forecast and interpret weather for safer sailing using traditional and modern methods.

Skills Covered:

  • Weather analysis and routing

  • Forecast interpretation

  • Technology-aided planning

Sailboat on a tranquil sea with coastal hills and a small town in the background.

ASA 103: Coastal Cruising

Intermediate Sailing Class

Confidently skipper 25-35' sailboats in moderate conditions, mastering boat systems and coastal navigation.

Skills Covered:

  • Coastal navigation

  • Engine operations and docking

  • Sail trim and seamanship

  • Weather interpretation

Sailboat navigating through a scenic, forested coastal area with rocky shorelines under a partly cloudy sky.

ASA 106: Advanced Coastal Cruising

Advanced Sailing Class

Lead confidently on 30-50' vessels in coastal and inland waters under all conditions.

Skills Covered:

  • Advanced navigation and sail handling

  • Vessel management in heavy conditions

  • Safety procedures and emergency response

White sailboat on calm blue ocean under cloudy sky

ASA 114: Catamaran Cruising

Intermediate/Advanced Sailing Class

Gain expertise sailing cruising catamarans (30-45') on extended coastal voyages.

Skills Covered:

  • Catamaran-specific handling

  • Multi-day cruising

  • Advanced docking

  • Emergency sailing operations

A sailboat navigates through a rocky sea inlet surrounded by silhouetted trees at sunset, with the sky and water reflecting golden hues.

ASA 105: Coastal Navigation

Advanced Sailing Class

​Learn to apply navigational theory for safe sailing in coastal and inland waters. On-water coastal navigation skills elements are contained in the ASA103, ASA 104, and ASA 106, in progressively increasing levels of detail.

Skills Covered:

  • Advanced plotting and piloting

  • Chart reading and tidal currents

  • Route planning for coastal trips

Sailboat with several people sailing on the ocean during sunset.

ASA 111: Basic Keelboat Refresher

All Levels Sailing Class

Perfect your sailing skills on keelboats up to 26 feet. Ideal for sailors returning to the water or needing extra practice.

Skills Covered:

  • Sailing theory refresher

  • Docking techniques

  • Tacking, jibing, sail trim

  • Crew-overboard recovery

Yacht steering wheel and dashboard with ocean view

ASA 120: Radar Endorsement

Advanced Sailing Class

Learn to use small-craft radar for navigation, piloting, and collision avoidance.

Skills Covered:

  • Radar operations and theory

  • Collision risk management

  • Radar image interpretation

Sailing ship with full sails on open sea at sunset, waves visible

ASA 104: Bareboat Cruising

Intermediate Sailing Class

Learn independent cruising on 30-50' sailboats, gaining overnight sailing and advanced seamanship skills.

Skills Covered:

  • Provisioning and navigation

  • Overnight passage planning

  • Safety and emergency at sea

  • Heavy weather tactics

Sailboat on water with sailboat marina and sunset in background.

ASA 118: Docking Endorsement

Intermediate Sailing Class

Learn essential docking and undocking skills for boats with a single inboard engine. This practical course ensures efficient, safe, and damage-free docking.

Skills Covered:

  • Docking and undocking techniques

  • Maneuvering in tight spaces

  • Line handling and communication

  • Avoiding common docking incidents

Sunset view from a sailboat on open water with waves.

ASA 104/114: Combo Class

Intermediate/Advanced Sailing Class

Expertly handle 30-50' sloop-rigged or catamaran sailboats for multi-day voyages in challenging conditions.

Skills Covered:

  • Advanced boat handling

  • Coastal and offshore navigation

  • Docking, anchoring techniques

  • Comprehensive safety training

Sailboat illuminated at night under a starry sky on calm water.

ASA 107: Celestial Navigation

Advanced Sailing Class

Master practical celestial navigation and ocean sailing essentials with this advanced course—a prerequisite for ASA 108. Learn to precisely determine your position using a sextant and celestial bodies, and confidently navigate offshore voyages.

Skills Covered:

  • Sextant operation and accuracy

  • Celestial fixes (sun, moon, stars, planets)

  • Offshore navigation procedures

  • Passage planning

Sailboat on calm ocean at sunset with moon in the sky

ASA 117: Basic Celestial Endorsement

Advanced Sailing Class

Gain essential celestial navigation skills to determine latitude and longitude using a sextant and the Nautical Almanac. This practical course equips sailors with the tools needed to navigate confidently at sea without GPS.

Skills Covered:

  • Latitude and longitude determination

  • Sextant fundamentals

  • Nautical Almanac usage

  • Basic offshore navigation skills