Halcyon Sailing is an American Sailing Association sailing school.  The Instructors have completed a rigorous evaluation process and are licensed by the USCG as Master Captains.  The courses offered follow the curriculum developed by ASA

ASA101 - Basic Keelboat Sailing

Two Days of Instruction

Prerequisites: No previous sailing experience necessary

ASA 101 Certification: Sailors must sail a boat of approximately 20 to 27 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. Knowledge of basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship and safety including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards. Auxiliary power operation is not required.   This course alone will not certify you to charter a boat but it will provide you with a solid foundation of basic sailing.

Course will cover:

  • Sailing Terminology
  • Rules of the Water
  • Points of Sail
  • Sail Configuration
  • Rigging
  • Man Overboard Recovery
  • Knots

Cost: $450 per person

The next course in the sequence is ASA 103 – Basic Coastal Cruising.

ASA103 - Basic Coastal Cruising

Two Days of Instruction

Prerequisites: ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing

ASA 103 Certification: Learn to cruise safely as both skipper and crew on a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered 25'-35' keelboat by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather, safety and seamanship.

Course will cover:

  • Gear and Equipment
  • Weather
  • Seamanship
  • Chart Symbols
  • Docking
  • Man Overboard Recovery
  • Reefing/Heaving To

Cost: $450 per person

The next course in the sequence is ASA 104 – Bareboat Chartering.

ASA104 - Bareboat Chartering

Three Days of Instruction

Prerequisites:  ASA 101 & ASA 103

ASA 104 Certification: Sailors must have the ability to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both a skipper and crew on a auxiliary powered sailboat of about 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland/coastal waters in moderate/heavy winds and sea conditions.  Upon successful completion of the course, sailors will be qualified to charter and captain your own cruise!

Course will cover:

  • Voyage Planning
  • Living Aboard
  • Heavy Weather Sailing
  • Galley Procedures
  • Fog/Radar Reflectors
  • Engine Maintenance & Troubleshooting
  • Line Handling & Knots

Cost: $850 per person

The next course in the sequence is ASA 105 – Coastal Navigation

ASA105 - Coastal Navigation

Two Days of Instruction

Prerequisites:  None

ASA 105 Certification: Able to apply the navigational theory and practices for safe navigation of a sailing vessel in coastal and inland waters.  This is purely a classroom course where you learn the theory of coastal navigation using charts and common navigational tools. It is recommended that students self-study the material prior to attending the course. Those with strong math skills may be able to simply come in and have us proctor the exam after their self-study. However, most folks require a full two days to absorb the material and practice the problems before attempting the exam.

Course will cover:

  • Charts, Publications, and Navigational Tools
  • True, Magnetic, and Compass Courses
  • Positioning Using Bearings and Ranges
  • Use of Tide and Current Tables
  • GPS
  • Set and Drift
  • Dead Reckoning
  • Speed Distance and Time
  • Variation/Deviation

Cost: $500 per person

The next course in the sequence is ASA 106 – Advanced Coastal Navigation

ASA106 - Advanced Coastal Cruising

Six Days of Instruction

Prerequisites: ASA 101, ASA 103, ASA 104, & ASA 105 Courses must be taken in sequence to receive certification

ASA 106 Certification: Sailors must have the ability to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length in coastal and inland waters, in any conditions. This is a six-day cruising course that you will develop Advance Coastal Cruising skills including long distance and night sailing, standing watches and sailing in varying weather conditions. You will visit several Michigan and Canadian ports of call and anchorages. The classroom is the boat and the course includes live-aboard accommodations but not meals. *Passport or Enhanced Drivers License is required

Course will cover:

Sailing Theory, Boat & Sail Trim
Weather Analysis and Predicting
Heavy Weather Sailing & Equipment
Long Distance Cruise Planning, Navigation, and Sailing
Sea Anchor and Drogue Deployment
Moorings
Knots
Boat Handling
Towing Procedures
Man Over Board Procedure
Overview of Common Engine and Maintenace Problems

Cost: $1,200 per person

Additional Training courses:

ASA 110 - Basic Small Boat Sailing

Able to skipper a non-ballasted centerboard/daggerboard monohull or multihull sailboat of approximately 8 to 20 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds (up to 15 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of basic sailing terminology, sail trim, points of sail, crew responsibilities, seamanship and safety including capsize avoidance/recovery and navigation rules to avoid collisions.

ASA 118 - Docking Endorsement

Able to safely and efficiently dock an auxiliary powered (single inboard or outboard engine) sailboat. Knowledge of basic auxiliary power theory, engine and steering controls, proper use of dock lines, crew communication and safety.