Overview
The Santa Barbara Sailing Center is one of the largest accredited American Sailing Association (ASA) schools in the nation, chosen as the American Sailing Association School of the Year for two consecutive years. Most importantly, we match our fleet and comprehensive staff of instructors with your comfort and skill level.
Course dates listed on our site are only a sampling of our available ASA certification course dates. If the listed dates do not work for you, we are happy to share other dates that are available OR create a course schedule that fits best with your availability.
Courses
Sailing Packages
Packages include complimentary sail time, certification fees, materials, and club membership. Scheduling is flexible, and the school director will work with your preferred dates and availability.
Course Details
Why ASA Certification?
- ASA has had a fully functioning, nationwide keelboat program since 1983.
- ASA standards are used by more than 250 participating schools throughout North America and the Caribbean, representing approximately 90% of the viable commercial sailing schools in the U.S. This makes ASA the undisputed standard for sailing education in the country.
- ASA has certified more than 4,000 professional sailing instructors and over 200,000 students from around the world.
- ASA courses are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
- ASA sponsors the prestigious ASA School of the Year Award. Santa Barbara Sailing Center received this award two years in a row!
101 - Basic Keelboat Sailing
Our Popular Beginners Program
This 20 hour course is a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of sailing. Taught on stable 22 and 24 ft keelboats, you will be skippering on your first day of class and be confident sailing on your own upon completion of the course. Curriculum includes nautical terminology, docking, rules of the road, sail trim and shape, headsail changes, reefing, crew teamwork and responsibilities, docking under sail, safety procedures, points of sail, tacking/jibing, knots, and crew overboard procedures.
Goal
Be a competent sailor of sailboats up to 27’ in familiar waters.
Prerequisites
None
Please Note
We find your classmates for all group classes.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition: $466/person
Damage Insurance: $5
Certification Fee: $49
Course Format
Day 1
10am-4pm
Day 2
10am-4pm
Day 3
9am-5:30pm
Tuition pricing does not include the following
California state sales tax and port tax
Sailing Made Easy Textbook: $24.95 + tax
ASA Log Book: $9.95 + tax
ASA Certification Fee: $49 + tax
Postage: Determined by your ZIP code
Gratuity: It is customary to leave a gratuity for your instructor if you enjoyed your ASA certification course.
We accept major credit cards only. We do not accept cash.
103 - Basic Coastal Cruising
Level Two for Day Sailing Yachts with Inboard Diesel Engines
This course introduces the intermediate sailor to the cruising yacht and offshore sailing procedures. Curriculum includes mechanical and electrical systems, weather navigation, anchoring, reefing, heavy weather sailing, rules of the road, motoring skills, safety and emergency procedures, maneuvering under power, and VHF radio procedures.
Goal
Be qualified to rent 27’ + sailboats with inboard diesel engines for local water day sailing.
Prerequisites
ASA 101
Please Note
We find your classmates for all group classes.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition: $585/person
Damage Insurance: $5
Course Format
Day 1
5pm-8pm
Day 2
9am-5:30pm
Day 3
9am-5:30pm
Tuition pricing does not include the following
California state sales tax and port tax
Coastal Cruising Made Easy Textbook: $27.95 + tax
Postage: Determined by your ZIP code
Gratuity: It is customary to leave a gratuity for your instructor if you enjoyed your ASA certification course.
We accept major credit cards only. We do not accept cash.
104 - Bareboat Cruising
Level Three For Multi-Day Cruising Adventures
This course is for sailors who wish to charter boats for multiple days anywhere in the world. Curriculum includes cruise planning, provisioning, anchoring, weather, navigation, boat systems, reefing, heavy weather sailing, safety, emergency procedures, and long-distance passage making. The course is taught on a 42′ – 50′ yacht.
Goal
Be qualified to bareboat charter 28 ’ – 50’ yachts for multiple days.
Prerequisites
ASA 101 and ASA 103
Please Note
We find your classmates for all group classes.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition: $650/person
Damage Insurance: $5
Course Format
Day 1
5pm-8pm
Classroom Session
Day 2
9am-5:30pm
Hands-On Instruction
Day 3
9am-5:30pm
Hands-On Instruction
Tuition pricing does not include the following
California state sales tax and port tax
Bareboat Cruising Made Easy textbook: $39.95 + tax
Postage: Determined by your ZIP code
Gratuity: It is customary to leave a gratuity for your instructor if you enjoyed your ASA certification course.
We accept major credit cards only. We do not accept cash.
105 - Coastal Navigation
A Home Study Course on Navigation
This course offers a comprehensive overview of all forms of navigation exclusive of celestial. Curriculum includes chart reading, dead reckoning, taking bearings, plotting techniques, tides and currents, set and drift calculations, compass steering, navigation rules and aides, and electronic navigational equipment. This class is a home correspondence course.
Goal
Be able to demonstrate navigation theory required for coastal waters.
Prerequisites
None
Tuition and Fees
Tuition: $301/person (includes textbook)
Course Format
This course is conducted privately. After completing the workbook at home, you attend four hours of in-person class during which you complete a written exam and private tutorial. Although we call this “Level 4,” you can do this program without prerequisite certifications.
Tuition pricing does not include the following
California state sales tax and port tax
Postage: Determined by your ZIP code
Gratuity: It is customary to leave a gratuity for your instructor if you enjoyed your ASA certification course.
We accept major credit cards only. We do not accept cash.
106 - Advanced Coastal Cruising
Level Four for Sailing Confidently in All Weather Conditions
This comprehensive course offers an overview of live-aboard systems and cooking, electronic fixes, sail shape, storm tactics, heavy weather sailing, watch keeping, weather forecast interpretation, harness wearing, night circumnavigation of the Channel Islands, sailing with bare poles, towing, anchoring under sail, and more.
Goal
Be qualified to skipper a sailing vessel over 42’ in coastal waters in all conditions.
Prerequisites
ASA 101, 103, 104, and 105
Please Note
We find your classmates for all group classes.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition: $975/person
Damage Insurance: $5
Course Format
Day 1
5pm-8pm
Classroom Session
Day 2-3
Depart to Channel Islands
2 Overnight Anchorages
Days 4
Return to Harbor
Class done by 5:00pm
Tuition pricing does not include the following
California state sales tax and port tax
Advanced Coastal Cruising & Seamanship Textbook: $39.99 + tax
Postage: Determined by your ZIP code
Gratuity: It is customary to leave a gratuity for your instructor if you enjoyed your ASA certification course.
We accept major credit cards only. We do not accept cash.
Test Out (101 + 103)
Four-Hour Private Instruction to Challenge Your Sailing Experience
In order to be a test out candidate, you must meet the requirements for ASA 101 and/or ASA 103 (please see the syllabus for each credential). The test out includes a written exam, grading, and three hours of sea time during which you must demonstrate mastery of practical knowledge.
ASA 101 TEST-OUT FEES
Tuition: $243
Sailing Made Easy Textbook: $24.95 + tax
ASA Log Book: $9.95 + tax
ASA Certification Fee: $49 + tax
Postage: Determined by your ZIP code
Damage Insurance: $10 + tax
ASA 103 TEST-OUT FEES
Tuition: $372
Coastal Cruising Made Easy Textbook: $27.95 + tax
Postage: Determined by your ZIP code
Damage Insurance: $10 + tax
Tuition pricing does not include the following
California state sales tax and port tax
Gratuity: It is customary to leave a gratuity for your instructor if you enjoyed your ASA certification course.
Weekend Introductory Sailing Lessons
Free One-Hour Orientation Sails to Get Familiar with Our Courses
For those interested in pursuing American Sailing Association courses, we offer free orientation sails on select Saturdays and Sundays. These one hour lessons are conducted entirely at sea with a professional instructor aboard a Capri 22′ or J-24′ and have a maximum of 4 students per class. Instruction is hands on and provides a glimpse of what is taught in the level one (ASA 101) program.
To learn more, fill out the Sailing School Inquiry Form at the bottom of the page, and the Sailing School Manager will contact you.
Q&A
How does scheduling work?
We regularly post new course dates. We are flexible when scheduling courses and will create a program that adapts to your days off and general availability.
Do I receive sleep aboard accommodations?
Students in our 103, 104, and 106 courses can sleep on the class boat the first night at no extra cost. 101 students cannot sleep aboard.
Can I do multiple certification courses on consecutive days?
We do not schedule multiple certification courses on consecutive days. The American Sailing Association recommends extensive practice time between levels to become a competent sailor. Free practice time is included with all of our packages to encourage students to practice before advancing to the next level.
How much studying is involved?
We recommend reading your textbook in its entirety before the first day of class and memorizing key concepts, terms, and diagrams.
Can I bring someone along that does not want to achieve certification?
Yes, but the individual would still need to pay for the full cost of the course since they would be filling a spot. However, additional fees including textbook costs and the certification fee may be waived if the individual does not wish to obtain the credential.
How does parking work?
If you park in the Santa Barbara Harbor, the cost is $3 per hour with a maximum of $18 per 24 hour period. You need to keep your parking ticket and pay upon exiting. The lot is a Santa Barbara City Lot.
What is an average gratuity to give?
Gratuities should be based on your overall experience with each instructor at a particular certification level. You can give cash directly to your instructor or put the gratuity on a credit card with the front desk receptionist in our office.
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a strict non-refundable policy. However, in the case of an emergency, there may be an option to reschedule. The on-site manger determines this based on how much lead time was given and the nature of the emergency.
What happens in inclement weather?
For ASA 101, we will usually reschedule to another date. For other ASA levels, inclement weather provides a great opportunity to further your sailing skills.
Santa Barbara Sailing School Inquiry Form
Please fill out the form below and answer all questions to the best of your ability. Someone will contact you shortly to follow up and discuss additional details.