FAQ’s: ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising Course

How much will the ASA Basic Coastal Cruising course cost?

Expect to pay around $1000 for the three day course. This is equivalent to around £640 or 910 EUROS dependent on the current exchange rates.

What will you get out of it?

The ASA 103 course is designed to get you sailing a yacht of up to 33 feet in comfortable conditions in daylight hours.

There is an awful lot to take in, even if you have completed the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing course. From being a useful crewmember with the previous qualification, you will have to learn how to handle a yacht and crew in a variety of conditions and situations at sea.

What are your limits on passing the Basic Coastal Cruising course?

You will be able to skipper a keelboat of 25-33ft in length in daylight hours in moderate conditions.

Is the course theory, practical or both?

You will cover a lot of theory on the course, including federal and international law, pilotage, buoyage, and navigation. You will also cover a range of sailing boat handling skills.

Can you take it in different countries?

You can take the course anywhere accredited by the American Sailing Association to teach it. This includes some places in the Mediterranean and Aegean as well as Caribbean and some Pacific islands.

What level of experience do you need?

You should have the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat certificate and be able to show the knowledge that you have learned on that course.

How long does the ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising course take?

The course will take three days to complete, though it will help to do some reading on the subject before you start.

What exactly does the course involve?

For a full checklist of the minimum standards you must meet to pass the qualification, have a look at this webpage.

Essentially you should be able to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of a skipper of a yacht in moderate winds in daylight hours. This is a great starting point to a fulfilling career as a yacht skipper, taking your family and friends sailing around Cape Cod, Gulf Coast or Great Lakes for example.

The certificate is over and above individual state minima for going out on the water and the skills you learn will help you, your friends and family enjoy some great times on the water.

How do you progress on completion?

Consider the ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising course, that will enable you to competently sail a boat of between 30-45’ on a multi day sailing trip in challenging conditions.

Does it give you international accreditation?

The course itself doesn’t, though many charter companies recognise it, which means you may be able to go on a flotilla sailing holiday abroad.

Where can you learn more about the course?

Have a look around The Boating Hub for more information as to where to do the ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising near you.

Take a look at the course outline and syllabus here.