American Sailing Combo Course: ASA 103 & ASA 104

Building on the foundation of ASA 101, ASA 103 and ASA 104 take your sailing skills to the next level. ASA 103 covers essential skills for navigating nearshore waters on a 33-foot sloop-rigged keelboat with auxiliary power. ASA 104 advances your training further, certifying you to skipper a 30′–45′ sloop-rigged, auxiliary-powered sailboat during a multi-day cruise on inland or coastal waters, even in moderate to heavy wind and sea conditions. Successfully completing these courses qualifies you for an International Proficiency Certificate (IPC), a valuable credential for bareboat chartering worldwide.

Although ASA courses are open to students as young as 13, Montana state law requires individuals to be at least 15 years old to operate motorized vessels. This means younger students can fully participate in sailing instruction but must wait until they reach the legal age before taking the helm of a motorized boat.

Meet at the Go Sail Flathead Lake office between 8:45am and 9am (keep in mind, this time may adjust slightly due to wind and weather), sail, eat lunch at 12:30pm, and wrap up class by 4:30pm! That’s the general gist of what each day of your four day ASA combo course will look like. Here is a more in-depth look at the itinerary: 

Days 1 and 2: 

8:45 – 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 — Sailing skills on the water and ASA 103 sailing exam and exam review with a class summary on day 4

Days 3 and 4:

9:00 AM – Gather with classmates and instructor

9:15–12:30 – ASA 104 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 104 sailing skills

3:00-4:30 — Sailing skills on the water and ASA 104 sailing exam and exam review with a class summary on day 4

We’ll have most of what you need for your combo course but here’s a few things you’ll want to pack each day for your four days sailing on Flathead Lake:

• Lunch, snacks, and your favorite drinks
• ASA textbook(s), logbook, and a pencil for jotting down notes
• A warm, waterproof jacket

• Safety equipment and life jackets (PFD Type V)
• ASA 103 and 104 textbooks
• Allotted boat time
• Advanced sailing instructor
• ASA 103+104 certification upon successful completion of written exam (80% or better) and practical exams (100%).

We will ship your ASA 101 textbook 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.

As long as the weather and Flathead Lake water levels are safe for sailing, we’ll be out on the water every day between Memorial Day to mid-September. The consistent winds between Dayton’s shoreline, Wild Horse Island, and Big Arm Bay, make this our favorite area to take sailors during the Flathead Lake boating season. Learn more about where we sail on Flathead Lake in our Flathead Lake Boating Guide. Expect 10–15 knots of wind sweeping in from the east during your “Big Sky” sailing course.  

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.

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.