ASA 105: Coastal Navigation
Advanced Sailing Class
Advanced Sailing Lessons
Master the art of navigating coastal and inland waters with ASA 105: Coastal Navigation. This advanced theory-based course builds the critical skills needed to safely plan and execute passages using paper charts, navigational tools, and electronic aids. Whether you're preparing for offshore cruising or simply want to feel more confident at the helm, this course delivers essential knowledge every sailor should know.
While this class is offered online, the techniques you learn will support all your future sailing adventures—including practical applications in ASA 103, 104, and 106.
$419
Class is 40-60 hours of online study presented by STARPATH.
Class Format: 100% online and self-paced (learn anywhere, anytime)
Tides, currents, and weather factors
Course planning and time-distance calculations
Use of GPS, radar, and electronic charts
Reading and interpreting nautical charts
Chart plotting and dead reckoning
Buoyage systems and navigation rules
Sailing Skills You’ll Learn
40–60 hours of comprehensive online training
ASA Coastal Navigation course access through Starpath
NOAA and custom eCharts
What’s Included
ASA logbook certification seal
One-year access to complete the course or request an extension
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for ASA 105, making it a great next step for sailors looking to level up their skills between practical courses.
Why Take This Sailing Class?
ASA 105: Coastal Navigation is the course that turns sailors into confident navigators. While basic navigation concepts are introduced in ASA 103 and ASA 104, this advanced sailing course teaches the complete system of maritime navigation from the ground up. If you want to truly understand how sailors plan safe passages, manage risk, and navigate confidently without relying solely on electronics, ASA 105 is essential.
In this advanced coastal navigation class, you’ll learn how to use paper charts, tides and currents, dead reckoning, and piloting techniques to determine your position with precision. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of how GPS, radar, and electronic charting systems work by first mastering traditional navigation methods. This foundation allows you to use modern navigation tools more intelligently and safely.
One of the biggest advantages of ASA 105 is redundancy. After completing this course, you’ll be able to confidently maintain an accurate position on paper charts even if onboard electronics fail. This skill is critical for coastal cruising, offshore sailing preparation, and advanced certifications like ASA 106 and beyond.
Because ASA 105 is theory focused and offered online, it’s an ideal next step between on the water courses. Whether you’re sailing in Puget Sound, planning longer coastal passages, or preparing for offshore adventures, ASA 105 equips you with the navigation skills serious sailors rely on.
This course is especially valuable for:
Sailors preparing for advanced coastal or offshore cruising
Skippers who want greater confidence planning routes in complex tidal areas
Anyone looking to fully understand chart plotting, navigation rules, and electronic navigation systems
If your goal is to become a self reliant, confident skipper who understands why navigation decisions are made, not just how, ASA 105 is a critical milestone in your sailing education.
Club Members, please contact the office to register for classes to obtain your club level discount.
ASA 105: Coastal Navigation FAQs
These are the most common questions students ask about our ASA 105 Coastal Navigation course, including who it’s for, how the online format works, and what you’ll learn to navigate with confidence using charts, tides, and electronic aids.
What is ASA 105: Coastal Navigation?
ASA 105: Coastal Navigation is an advanced, theory-based American Sailing course that teaches practical navigation for coastal and inland waters. You’ll learn how to plan routes, plot positions on paper charts, calculate time and distance, and use tides, currents, and weather data to make safer decisions as skipper.
Is ASA 105 online, and how does the course work?
Yes. PSSI’s ASA 105 Coastal Navigation course is 100% online and self-paced through Starpath. Most students complete it in about 40 to 60 hours of study, and you can work through the material from anywhere, on your own schedule.
Do I need prerequisites for ASA 105?
No prerequisites are required for ASA 105, which makes it a great next step between on-the-water sailing classes. That said, students who have completed ASA 101 and have some time on the water often find it easier to connect the navigation concepts to real sailing situations.
What will I learn in ASA 105 at PSSI?
ASA 105 teaches the full coastal navigation toolkit so you can plan and execute safer passages. You’ll learn both traditional navigation and how it connects to modern electronic navigation.
- Reading and interpreting nautical charts (NOAA and eCharts)
- Plotting courses, bearings, and fixes on paper charts
- Dead reckoning and keeping an accurate navigation plot
- Time, speed, distance, and route planning calculations
- Tides, currents, and set and drift planning
- Buoyage systems, navigation rules, and real-world piloting
- Using GPS, electronic charts, and radar more effectively
Is ASA 105 useful if I already use GPS and chartplotters?
Yes. ASA 105 makes you a smarter, safer user of electronic navigation. When you understand chart fundamentals, bearings, and position fixing, you can verify what your instruments are telling you, catch errors earlier, and navigate more confidently in busy areas like Puget Sound and coastal inlets.
Will ASA 105 help me if electronics fail on the boat?
Absolutely. A major goal of ASA 105 is navigation redundancy. You’ll learn how to maintain an accurate position on paper charts, track your progress, and make sound course corrections using traditional methods, even if GPS or onboard systems go down.
What’s included with PSSI’s ASA 105 course?
Your enrollment includes access to the ASA 105 Coastal Navigation course through Starpath (40 to 60 hours of online training), NOAA and custom eCharts, an ASA logbook certification seal, and one-year access to complete the course (extensions can be requested if needed).
How long do I have to finish the ASA 105 online course?
You have one year of access to complete the course. If life gets busy, you can request an extension so you can finish confidently without rushing.
What should I take after ASA 105?
ASA 105 pairs perfectly with advanced on-the-water training. Many students continue into ASA 106: Advanced Coastal Cruising, or add endorsements like marine weather or radar to build a complete cruising and passage-planning skill set.
Do sailing club members get a discount on ASA 105?
Yes. Sailing Club members should contact the PSSI office to register for ASA 105 so your club-level discount is applied.