The Best ASA Instructors in the Virgin Islands
Learning to sail is about getting out of your comfort zone, learning something new— and having a fantastic instructor that makes doing both stress-free and fun!
We only hire and retain USCG Captains /ASA instructors with advanced experience sailing, teaching ASA courses, and local knowledge of the Virgin Islands and beyond. Our top-notch ASA instructors are committed to understanding your expectations and helping you overcome your fears so you can take in as much knowledge as possible during your ASA sailing courses.
When you arrive in the Virgin Islands, your ASA instructor will sit down and get to know you. They truly want to understand the motivation behind your desire to learn to sail and what your sailing goals are. Typically, there is passion in the reason for taking on this challenge! We carefully listen and customize the experience to exceed your expectations.
Once aboard, your ASA instructor (and other possible crew members) will make sure you are well taken care of. They’ll help you navigate any sailing questions you may have, ensure effective communication with everyone onboard while under sail, make sure you have all the knowledge you need to ace your ASA courses, and even cook you a meal or two onboard.
Your Go Sail ASA instructor will never yell at you and will always treat you with respect and patience.
By the end of your ASA courses in the Virgin Islands you’ll not only have your ASA sailing certifications but a mentor with your ASA instructor as well.
Our policy is once you sail with us, you are part of our crew forever. This means we are a constant resource through your sailing journey. We offer special sailing discounts to ASA members and our alumni for refresher courses. You can also bareboat charter in the Virgin Islands with us. Charter companies love seeing ASA certifications issued by Go Sail Virgin Islands because they know that means a sailor is competent.
We want you to start your journey with confidence and the best knowledge you can get!
Meet our Captains & Crew!
We look forward to sailing with you and working with you to gain the skills and confidence you need to bareboat charter around the world! Along the way, we’ll go on a variety of adventures together as well explore the beauty of sailing in the Virgin Islands. Welcome aboard!
Captain Genevieve Evans
“Salt is the cure for everything, sweat, tears, and the sea.”
Captain Genevieve is the founder of Go Sail Virgin Islands. As the lead instructor trainer for Go Sail VI, Evans trains the Captains to be expert instructors. Captain G feels that good sailing captains are good leaders with communication, understanding, empathy, planning, organizing, listening, and command of the situation.
There is no right and wrong in sailing, only a learning journey.
Captain G is originally from Montana. She has raced, taught, and sailed in Montana, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Martinique, St. Lucia, the Bahamas, and Belize on small and large cruising monohulls and catamarans for over a decade.
Captain Genevieve holds a 50 TON Near Costal USCG license and is an ASA Master Instructor with STCW II/3.
Captain JT Quinn
“I have sailed to every island in the Caribbean”
Captain JT first started sailing while living in New Zealand. He is an expert American Sailing instructor. He brings not only years of cruising experience from the Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands, Spanish Virgin Islands, he has also spent time working on yachts all along the Atlantic Coast, Caribbean, and the Med. He has crossed the Atlantic Ocean, sailed to every island in the Caribbean, and transited the Panama Canal. Whether it’s long, open water passages or cruising the islands, JT loves to share his stories and knowledge about sailing.
JT holds a USCG license, RYA Yacht master, and is a certified ASA instructor.
Captain Jalil Jacallen
“We’ll go where you want to, and do the things you’ve been dreaming of.”
Captain Jalil grew up in Alaska, the son of an engineer on ocean-going tugs and fishing vessels. Captain learned to sail in the Åbo archipelago in Finland while in grad school, and has been sailing his own boats ever since. In 2017 he retired early from software consulting and started sailing professionally right here in St Thomas, USVI. He is a USCG licensed captain (OUPV) and an ASA certified instructor 201/203/204/214. The Captain has made several off shore passages to share stories about. He is very knowledgeable about the local history and ecology, and loves to share sea time with fellow enthusiasts of wind, water, and wildlife.
Check out his 5 star reviews on google.
USCG Master Captain and Expert American Sailing Instructor.
Assistant Manager Lizzy
“It’s hard not to sound like I’m bragging when talking about my job”
Lizzy grew up sailing on Flathead Lake in Montana. She started from a young age with her grandparents. When the opportunity arose for her to work a seasonal job with Go Sail Flathead Lake, she knew she couldn’t pass it up. Since joining us in the summer of 2023, Lizzy has gone on to receive a few ASA Certifications, traveled to Annapolis for the annual sailboat show, and has plans to travel to the Virgin Islands to receive the rest of her certifications. She’s hoping to one day get her Instructors License and join the crew down in the VI!
First Mate Claire
“I love to learn from and connect with the students”
As a native of Detroit, Michigan Claire was never far from water. It was the fresh water shores of the Great Lakes and the Detroit River she spent her childhood on. As an adult she found herself drawn to the shores again this time while living in the UK by the Severn River, the beaches of south Wales, and walking the Themes whenever possible. It wasn’t until coming to St. Thomas and sailing with Jalil in the Caribbean for the first time that she found a passion for the art of sailing. She hopes in time to pursue this passion further by attaining her captain’s license. Each new charter to her means learning more and connecting with people through sailing as well as music, food, and the beautiful vistas of the Virgin Islands.
Captain Bob Labine
“My favorite part is the ‘Aha’ Moment”
Captain Bob is an experienced ASA instructor and looks forward to bringing his expertise to Go Sail. He grew up on a lake in the summertime and for many years, Captain Bob’s life revolved around racing sailboats. Over the years he visited a number of sailing destinations but always loved the warm climates best. “If you are going to sail in water it might as well be warm water,” he laughed.
Check out these fantastic sailing itineraries in the British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands!
Meeting Your Captain, Boarding Your Boat
Go Sail Virgin Islands’ 5-star reviews on USVI and BVI Yacht Charters say it all ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Go Sail Virgin Islands provided, my daughter and me, the best possible sailing, learning, and entertaining island and water experience. We achieved our goal of learning and getting certified to charter a bare boat in the most realistic and satisfying way. Captain Genevieve chartered for the ASA classes the appropriate boat for our experiences and desires. Captain Trevon, as our instructor and Captain, quietly assumed responsibility for the wellbeing of his crew and ship. At all times he checked on our actions, and made sure we were proceeding according to the rules and spirit of seamanship. First Mate Stephanie provided us with healthy, tasteful meals, great pictures and videos, and a reassuring graceful presence. The trip was organized as a sail around the US Virgin Islands, as a captain and crew would do in a sailing, exploration, and vacation setting. The one week trip could be replicated as a two weeks’ vacation in USVI, just by expanding the times spent in various places and adding more entertainment and recreation activities. For the aspiring Captains this is, in my opinion, the best first step to take in order to learn, experience, and practice chartering and coastal sailing a blue water vessel. Go Sail Virgin Islands has provided a professional, reasonable priced, and meaningful experience, enabling us to achieve our goals. I would highly and sincerely recommend Go sail Virgin Islands to all aspiring sailors of any level of experience for its classes and trips. Captain Genevieve is one of the best persons to guide and help anyone in the sailing world. It is an honor and a privilege to work with her anytime, anywhere.
– Edi S | Google
It felt like a lot of growth happening in just a few days and each day felt pleasantly long but not overdone and there was something to be learned throughout the day.
– Marc G | Google
We had a great experience with Captain Genevieve at Go Sail Virgin Islands. Captain Genevieve kept us up to date and provided alot of good advise preparing and planning for the charter and the ASA training. She took all of the guess work and uncertainties away which made for a great sailing experience. We will definitely use Captain Genevieve for our future ASA classes and future bareboat charters. My wife and I cannot say enough good things about the ASA Sailing Instructor Captain Jalil Jacallen. His instruction was top notch. He was organized and he explained everything clearly so we felt very comfortable during the hands on sailing of the 44 Leopard. His knowledge of sailing is quite impressive. He answered all of our questions and provided plenty of time to practice. He is very patient and calm allowing us to learn how to sail and develop confidence as sailors.
– Mark M | Google
It is a unique experience going from reading your manual, practicing the skills and then wrapping up the afternoon swimming with sea turtles. We took our student level in 2015 and then in 2021 we came back for our instructor course.
– Matt F | Google
I completed ASA 103 -114 with Captain Jalil and the only thing that surpassed his patience and passion for sailing was his expertise! A great week building and refining skills in a safe but challenging environment. I recommend Go Sail Virgin Islands without hesitation!
– Michael S | Google
My wife and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time learning to sail with Go Sail Virgin Islands. Captain Jalil was awesome! He has a relaxed and comfortable manner, that allowed us to learn the ropes without making us feel pressured or nervous. He’s also a great cook and makes a delicious painkiller! On top of that, he’s also a wealth of information on the area—knows all the best places for snorkeling and dining. We made this trip with another couple, who are friends of ours, and the instigators of this trip as a steppingstone for future bareboat chartering and possibly owning their own catamaran. Three of us completed the ASA 103, 104, and 114 classes, and the fourth, who already had some previous classes/experience, completed ASA 106 and 118. I feel confident that, after these classes and hands on learning with captain Jalil, we will be able to do it mostly on our own next time. All in all, this was a wonderful vacation and experience, and will open up a whole new set of possibilities for future exploration. Thank you Go Sail VI and Captain Jalil!
– Mike G | Google
Great experience, boat and instructor/ captain... would thoroughly recommend!
– Rob U | Google
It was nice to meet new people from other backgrounds in sailing, as well as parts of the country, and learn from them as well since it’s an interactive sport. It was great to have that ability to bounce things off of people and learn from each other.
– Todd F | Google
Attended a great 6 day catamaran sailing course in the USVI. Our instructor JT Quinn was top notch! Highly recommend!
– Trish M | Google
We took the Cruising couples ASA course through Go Sail Virgin Islands. Our captain/instructor was J.T. He is a wonderful teacher. Great sense of humour. Very patient with everyone. A super experience. Thank you J.T.
– Wendy T | Google
I had an amazing week of sailing and exploring the US Virgin Islands with Go Sail Virgin Islands and Captain Genevieve Evans. First and foremost, Captain G is a wonderful and knowledgeable teacher. She thoroughly explained concepts and maneuvers, demonstrating them as well, and then gave us the opportunity to practice throughout the week. She was extremely patient and helped to build my confidence behind the helm tremendously. Additionally, she knows the best spots on each island and made the trip not just about learning and growing as a sailor, but also enjoying time away. I will never forget this trip- if you have the opportunity to learn with Go Sail and Captain G, you won’t regret it. Thanks again Captain G for an absolutely perfect adventure!
– Sara V | Google
The whole experience did not disappoint—truly a wonderful life memory. The boat was in nice condition and served us well. Captain J T Quinn was absolutely fantastic at teaching us and was so easy to have around. And doubled as a tour guide. We would recommend it to anyone.
– Matt B | Google
We took the week live aboard sailing lessons for ASA 101,103,104,114 and it was awesome. Sailed around USVI. Our instructor JT was thorough and a pleasure to be with. Thank you for an awesome experience. Already booked our next sailing excursion as a skipper!
– Stephanie B | Trip Advisor
Just spent a week with Capt. Genevieve navigating around the USVI, a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience. Her teaching style a perfect mix of coaching and hands-on, building my ability and confidence with each passing day. Completed ASA Sailing Certifications 101 103 104 114, such that I’ll look forward to returning next season to charter a boat with my family. We also visited their favorite moorages, snorkeling sites, and places to go ashore for food and fun. Even better, they both provide great hospitality with tasty food, a comfortable boat, and good company.
– Larry C | Google
My family and I sailed with Captain JT Quinn, who provided excellent instruction and is just an all-around good guy. While I went through the hands-on ASA instructions for 101, 103, 104, and 114, my family was able to enjoy cruising around the USVI and BVI. Every afternoon, we would anchor or moor in a bay where we would swim, snorkel, paddle board, and relax for the evening. I was nervous after reading the 4 books and preparing but JT made it really comfortable and easy to learn. He's very knowledgeable and answered every question I had. We shared stories and a lot of laughs. He and Go Sail VI aren't just teaching people to sail, they are cultivating a community of sailors. That's what it's all about in the end — knowing how to
– Tom G. | Google
I can’t believe how much we learned while sailing with Captain G and Trevon! They explained everything so well and really helped us understand the art of sailing. We now feel confident to bareboat our own charter soon! This was definitely the way to earn our sailing experience.
– Ashley S | Trip Advisor
Our week-long catamaran sailing instruction for ASA 106, 114 and 118 certifications was phenomenal! We chartered a week-long monohull instruction for our ASA 101, 103 and 104 certifications in Florida a year prior. There was no comparison with our Go Sail Virgin Islands live aboard experience far exceeding our expectations. Sweet & Salty, the 44' cat, was spacious, clean and well provisioned. Trevon is an exceptional instructor. He has a depth of knowledge and experience, was patient and tailored his coaching to our individual needs. Thanks for the learnings, experience and memories! Shirley, Eric and Jeff
– Shirley E. | Trip Advisor
The folks at Go Sail Virgin Islands are wonderful to deal with! From my first inquiry they were very responsive and attentive with clear and timely proactive communications. They provided all the information I needed, including pricing with no hidden fees, in order for me to make an informed decision, and with no pressure. They delivered on every promise and exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend them whether you want to charter or learn, or both. Captain Jalil has years and years of sailing experiences (in addition to a multitude of other interesting life experiences) that have provided him with a wealth knowledge that he humbly shares. He is gentle, kind, clear, wise, practical and is a very good communicator and chef! Without yelling or shaming, he explains and encourages with patience and enthusiasm to help his students understand the “in and outs” and “how’s and why’s of sailing at any level. You will not be disappointed!
– Paul H | TripAdvisor
My husband and I had been looking for a company to learn to sail with. He is experienced and I am not. From the start the owner made everything seem so easy and seamless. We initially picked this company because we could study ahead and spend the time on the boat with practical things. Out captain JT was AMAZING and we will be using his again when we charter out next cruise. He allowed up ample hands on time and was very knowledgeable. If you did not comprehend something one way he explained it he was so patient and tried another approach. We adored him. Don't hesitate to use this company.
– Dee W | TripAdvisor
We just completed an amazing sailing course with Go Sail Virgin Islands completing ASA 103, 104 &114. Captain Trevon and his first mate Stephanie were outstanding. Trevon’s knowledge and experience was exceptional as was his teaching ability. Stephanie provide first class food and assistance with procedures during our 7 day course. Also their company and off shore visits was very much appreciated and made for an enjoyable life time experience 👏👏
– Chris F | TripAdvisor