Sail Away Catamarans Sales and Charters offers a large and diverse fleet of catamaran makes and models available for your ASA training courses! Our charter fleet offers three and four-cabin models depending on your group size, and lengths varying from 38-48’. We offer customized live aboard sail training courses in the Bahamas, Key West, or on the Chesapeake Bay with ASA Certified Instructors all of whom are US Coast Guard Licensed Instructors with years of Cruising, Racing, and Chartering experience.
We truly love our jobs, but we take our sailing seriously so you will be safe on the water. Our teaching philosophy is simple, fun, entertaining, and engaging, focused on safety, and providing the knowledge to set you confidently on your path for sailing.
The American Sailing Association (ASA) program has structured levels of sailing standards, which are examined at progressive certification levels at our sailing schools. Students who learn to sail with Sail Away Catamarans receive a Logbook that lists the standards, certification, and records of sailing experience. All courses and examinations are run by ASA-qualified instructors. When a certification level is successfully completed, your logbook is signed and stamped so that any charter or rental fleet operator can see your level of competency.
Whether you add ASA courses to your charter or desire to take classes as a part of a group of students, Sail Away Sailing School has you covered.
We are passionate about sailing, catamarans, and the care of our pristine local waters. It is our pleasure to give you a top-notch education aboard immaculate vessels while cruising these coveted waters and having a great time!
ASA Sailing Certification Courses Offered
ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailling
Learn to skipper a 20′ – 27′ sloop-rigged keelboat by day, in light to moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn 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.
ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising
Learn to skipper 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.
ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising
Learn how to sail a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered 30′-45′ sailboat during a multi-day cruise upon inland/coastal waters in moderate/heavy winds and sea conditions. Learn about provisioning, boat systems, auxiliary engines, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation, anchoring / mooring, docking, emergency operations, weather, and more.
ASA 114, Cruising Catamaran
Learn to skipper an auxiliary-powered sailing cruising catamaran of approximately 30-45′ feet in length during a multi-day live aboard cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions.
captain rates are $500/day for ASA instruction
Sailing Seminars / Live-Aboard Lessons
Catamarans are the boat of choice for many as they offer spaciousness, comfort, and they don’t heel over. If you are new to catamarans or have never been on one, we offer 6 hour sailing seminars. These seminars are taught completely on the water aboard one of our sailing catamarans. The seminars provide an open forum that introduces you to terminology and hardware specific to cats, and identifies the differences between anchoring and docking a catamaran. You will also have ample opportunity to hoist the sails or take the wheel if you like. If you are considering living aboard, we will also discuss lessons learned and handy tips discovered by our staff while living aboard as well as discussion on how to find the right boat for you if you want to live the cruising lifestyle. These seminars are scheduled several times a sailing season and are generally held with no more than 10 “students” – contact us for available dates. These seminars cost $400/person - feel free to bring your own food and refreshments.
Blue Water Sailing Opportunities
We also offer opportunities to take blue water sailing / life afloat lessons between the east coast of the US and locations such as the Bahamas, USVIs and BVIs. If you have never sailed on the open ocean, these sailing excursions will expose you to an extraordinary sailing experience! Contact us to schedule these special open water excursions!