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Women's Only - Basic to Bareboat Learn-n-Cruise

Basic Sailing (ASA 101), Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103) and Bareboat Cruising/Charter Certification (ASA 104)

(11 AM Saturday through 11 AM Friday)

This is our most popular course and we are thrilled to be able to offer this wonderful opportunity to learn from experienced female instructors, in a relaxed environment with other women! In just one week in the beautiful San Juan Islands, you can achieve your ASA Bareboat Cruising (Charter Certification) and be qualified to charter your own sailboat up to 40 feet in length anywhere in the world. This week-long learning vacation takes you out in the islands for a wonderful adventure of sailing, exploring and learning. Your only prerequisites are pre-study and a desire to learn.

  • You'll set sail Saturday afternoon and spend each night anchored in a different one of the many scenic anchorages or quaint island ports found in the San Juan Island Archipelago.
  • Spend the week learning how to anchor, navigate, maneuver, trim sails, and skipper a larger sailboat while surrounded by the beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife unique to this part of the world.
  • All meals included, with the exception on one night, when you’ll eat ashore and enjoy the local island dining. Students share in meal preparation and clean-up duties.
  • Overnights are mostly spent at anchor or mooring ball, with one or two nights at a marina. Bed linens are provided.
  • Your boat will vary in length from 30' to 45', and class size is limited to four students. This allows for plenty of time for individual instruction and hands-on learning.
  • Your instructor will cover the entire curriculum for three levels of certification: Basic Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, and Bareboat Cruising. When you return the following Friday, you should have achieved three levels of certification during the week, depending on your preliminary study, skills, and effort.
  • This is a "Non-Smoking/Non-Vaping" course. For the safety and learning of all aboard, alcoholic beverages are allowed only after instruction, when at dock or at anchor, with a 2 drink limit.

This unique course is an exceptional value combining an incredible sailing adventure while leaning a lifelong skill. We've been teaching sailing for over 30 years and know how to do it right. In fact, most of our new students come to us by referrals.

You won't find a better value anywhere!

SPRING (3/15 – 6/7)
$2795 per person (private stateroom)
$2495 per person (shared stateroom)*

SUMMER/FALL (6/8 – 10/15)
$2945 per person (private stateroom)
$2645 per person (shared stateroom)*

Spend 7 days/6 nights living aboard and learning from an ASA certified USCG Captain/Instructor, while exploring the San Juan Islands. Tuition includes your ASA 101, 103, & 104 certifications, linens, meal provisioning, fuel and moorage.

Complete this course and receive up to $1325 in coupons for future classes, instruction and charters! Click here for details.

*To receive the $300 shared stateroom discount, you and the person you will be sharing a stateroom with must book your course together. We do not pair people who do not know each other. Occasionally a berth in the main salon may be available at the shared stateroom rate.

Private Course Option:
Group classes normally consist of 4 students and one instructor. This option allows 2 or 3 students who are traveling together to close their course to additional students, creating a private course. With this option the rates below replace the standard tuition rates.

  SPRING (3/15 - 6/2)
  2 students: $4275/person, All Inclusive
  3 students: $2975/person, All Inclusive

  SUMMER/FALL (6/3 – 10/15)
  2 students: $4600/person, All Inclusive
  3 students: $3175/person, All Inclusive

This course covers ASA 101 (Basic Sailing), ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising) and ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising/Charter Certification).

If you prefer to join the class to practice hands-on skills but not pursue ASA certifications, you are welcome to do so. Please let us know if you will not be pursuing ASA certifications and we will discount your tuition $100.

Pre-study of sailing terms and principles, and a desire to learn to sail.

Classes occur Saturday-Friday while cruising the San Juan Islands. To register for a course please contact us at 360-671-8339 or school@sanjuansailing.com.

Course Full? If the course you are seeking is full, please contact us to be put on a waitlist.

Sailing Made Easy by ASA
Coastal Cruising Made Easy by ASA
Bareboat Cruising Made Easy by ASA

Order texts online through ASA/American Sailing Association, through Amazon or iBooks, or check out from your local library.

Click here for information on options to let you implement and enjoy what you have learned after graduation and to help you continue to build your sailing skills.

Please arrive at our office at 10:45 am. We will introduce you to your instructor and you’ll begin loading your gear onto your boat (making lunch together with your crewmates will be your first activity before departing). You'll need to be fully prepared to take your Basic Sailing (ASA 101) written test either Saturday evening or Sunday morning, after you are on the boat. This is the first of three written tests. Each level of certification has a written exam and a skills exam and every few days another written exam will be completed. Thorough study of the textbooks will prepare you for the course and greatly enhance your learning. We highly recommend using the curriculum (link below), in conjunction with the textbooks, as a guide to help streamline your studying.

At the end of your learning vacation your boat will return to the San Juan Sailing docks by 11am on Friday. Please allow yourself 1-2 additional hours to unload, debrief, and shower when planning your transportation home. All Learn-n-Cruise courses require a minimum of three students, maximum four students for confirmation.

Class size is limited, so please contact us by e-mail or at 360-671-8339 for course availability, to register or if you have additional questions. If none of the above dates fit your schedule, please contact us to explore alternate arrangements.

Go to the following links for more information:


Special Opportunities