Quick Details
1 Student
$ 1,314
2 Students
$ 2,628
3 Students
$ 3,942
4 Students
$ 5,256
Go from having no sailing experience to becoming a confident sailor on both 22 foot and 33 foot sailboats in just 4 days with the help of an American Sailing certified instructor on Flathead Lake!
This class meets the American Sailing certification standards for ASA 101 and ASA 103 knowledge and skills. Classroom demonstrations as well as hands-on training on a Capri 22ft sailboat and Pearson 33ft sailboat are included in this combo course.
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ASA 101 and ASA 103 are American Sailing Association courses designed to teach sailors essential skills for safe and effective sailing. ASA 101 is an introductory course for those new to sailing or ASA courses, covering the basics of sailing a 20′ – 27′ sloop-rigged keelboat in light to moderate conditions. ASA 103 is the next step for sailors who have completed ASA 101, focusing on coastal cruising skills aboard a larger 33-foot sloop-rigged keelboat with auxiliary power. Both courses are required for earning an IPC, a credential often necessary for bareboat chartering internationally.
Students taking the ASA 101 and ASA 104 combo courses will learn sailboat terminology, sail handling, helm commands, and basic safety procedures as well as more advanced sailing topics such as boat systems, engine operation, docking, coastal navigation, anchoring, weather awareness, and safety procedures.
While ASA courses are available to students as young as 13, Montana state law restricts the operation of motorized vessels to individuals aged 15 or older. This means younger students can participate in the courses but cannot operate motorized vessels until they meet the legal age requirement.
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Each of the four days you set sail on Flathead Lake for your combo course, you’ll meet at the Go Sail Flathead Lake office between 8:45am and 9am (this time may adjust slightly due to wind and weather). Class ends by 4:30pm each day with a 30 minute on-shore lunch break around 12:30pm. Here’s a closer look at the plan for your four-day ASA 101 and ASA 103 course:
Days 1 and 2:
8:45 a.m. – Check in at the sailing shop
9:00 a.m. – Meet with your classmates and instructor
9:30–12:30 – ASA 101 sailing theory and hands-on sailing skills aboard a Capri 22ft sailboat
12:30–1:00 — Lunch break on the shore
1:00–1:30 — Sailing theory
1:30–4:30 — Sailing skills on the water and ASA 101 sailing exam onshore on day 2
Days 3 and 4:
9:00 AM – Gather with classmates and instructor
9:15–12:30 – ASA 103 sailing theory and hands-on sailing skills aboard a Pearson 33ft sailboat
12:30–1:00- Lunch break on the shore
1:00–3:00 – Sailing theory and ASA 103 sailing skills
3:00-4:30 — ASA 103 sailing exam and exam review with a class summary
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Dress for the weather— and then add a layer or two! It can be 20 degrees cooler on the Flathead Lake waters than on land. You’ll also want to bring lunch, snacks, and water each day. Remember your ASA textbook(s), ASA logbook, and a pencil to take notes too!
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- Safety equipment and life jackets (PFD Type V)
- Sailing logbook, ASA 101 textbook, and ASA 103 textbook
- Allotted boat time
- Advanced sailing instructor
- ASA 101 and 103 certifications upon successful completion of written exams (80% or better) and practical exams (100%).
We will ship your ASA 101 and 103 textbooks in the mail when you confirm your sailing course on Flathead Lake with a deposit or full payment. Remember to read your textbook and complete all the practice quizzes before joining the class on your scheduled start date.
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Our sailing season generally runs from Memorial Day to mid-September, depending on weather and Flathead Lake water level. The lake must be deep enough to launch, but when conditions align (as they usually do), you’re in for an unforgettable experience.
We’ll spend much of our time sailing between Dayton’s shoreline, Wild Horse Island, and Big Arm Bay, where consistent winds promise smooth and enjoyable sailing throughout the Flathead Lake boating season. Learn more about where we sail on Flathead Lake in our Flathead Lake Boating Guide.
Most summer days on Flathead Lake bring the excitement of 10–15 knots of wind sweeping in from the east, with clear blue skies and puffy white clouds overhead. We closely monitor conditions and will confirm your lesson 7 days in advance, making adjustments if needed due to any approaching storms or dangerous sailing conditions. Your safety is our main priority.
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Most of our ASA courses do sell out, however, there is a minimum of 2 students required for the course. If the minimum is not met within 1 week prior to the course date it will be canceled. We will contact you to reschedule to a different day.
Read our full list of policies, terms, and conditions here.