Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

American Sailing Textbooks and Course Descriptions

Buy the book and begin sailing theory studies now!

Premier Learn to Sail Vactions Designed for you.

Welcome to a unique kind of sailing school. We have ASA Certified Instructors and USCG Captains on the boat to help you. Classes are customized for the students on board. We take your personal goals as our purpose. You can complete as much or little instruction as you like. You can take all the classes or just some. We want your experience to be exceptional and fun.

​We know sailing, but better yet, we have over a decade’s experience teaching in the Caribbean. Our promise is for you to become a better sailor.

We have two course level options. These cannot be combined. You need to complete series 1 before you can enroll in series 2. We follow and maintain the integrity of the American Sailing Standards for certification.

Series 1 ASA 101/103/104/114 weeklong course

Series 2 ASA 106/114 weeklong course

We have been featured with American Sailing!

logo

ASA DIGITAL TEXTBOOK DOWNLOAD

appleasatextbooksdigitaldownload Googleplayasatextbooksdigitaldownload ASA-Store-Button
diagram

ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran Textbook

ASA 114, Cruising Catamaran Textbook

Prerequisite ASA 104

Description: Able to skipper an auxiliary-powered sailing cruising catamaran of approximately 30 to 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. Knowledge of catamaran structure, components and features, performance under sail and power, boat systems, seamanship and safety, heavy weather operation, and emergency response.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Catamaran Terminology

✔️ Catamaran Features and Performance

✔️ Catamaran Systems

✔️ Heavy weather operation and emergency response

SKILLS

✔️ Predeparture

✔️ Under power

✔️ Under sail

calendar

ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising Textbook

ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising Textbook

Prerequisite ASA 103

Description: Able to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered keelboat of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, routine maintenance procedures, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health & safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operation.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Cruise Planning

✔️ Systems

✔️ Emergencies

✔️ Seamanship

✔️ Navigation and Weather

SKILLS

✔️ Under power

✔️ Under sail

✔️ Navigation and Weather

✔️ Knots

a boat in the water

ASA 101 Coastal Cruising Made Easy Textbook

ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising Textbook

Prerequisite ASA 101

Description: Able to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (inboard or outboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet length by day in moderate winds (up to 20 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather interpretation, safety and seamanship.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Cruising Sailboat Terminology

✔️ Safety equipment and Procedures

✔️ Navigation and Weather

✔️ Sail Planning

✔️ Seamanship

✔️ Emergencies

SKILLS

✔️ Preliminaries

✔️ Navigation

✔️ Under power

✔️ Under sail

✔️ Return to dock/slip

✔️ Knots

a man riding on the back of a boat

ASA 101 Sailing Made Easy Textbook

ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Textbook

Prerequisite none, some experience recommended

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.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Keelboat Sailboat Terminology

✔️ Safety equipment & Procedures

✔️ Weather

✔️ Sail Planning

✔️ Seamanship

✔️ Emergencies

SKILLS

✔️ Tacking

✔️ Jibing

✔️ Figure eight/COB

✔️ Mooring/Anchoring

✔️ Return to dock/slip

✔️ Knots

calendar

ASA 105 Coastal Navigation Online Course

ASA 105, Coastal Navigation Online Course

Prerequisite ASA 104, needed to take ASA 106

ASA 105 Coastal Navigation is essential for sailors ready to take out Advanced Sailing Course. By mastering traditional navigation skills, you’ll gain the freedom, confidence, and capability to plan multi-day routes, explore new cruising grounds, and safely adapt to changing conditions at sea.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Passage Planning

✔️ Tide tables

✔️ Navigation Rules

✔️ Chart Interpretation

✔️Navigation Techniques

SKILLS

✔️ Dead Reckoning

✔️ Bearing Techniques

✔️ Position Fixing

✔️Chart Plotting

✔️And So Much More!!

a small boat in a body of water

ASA 106 Advanced Cruising & Seamanship Textbook

ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising Textbook

Prerequisite Series 1 or ASA 104 and 1 year of sailing experience.

Description: Able 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.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Describe true and apparent wind

✔️ Describe center of effort

✔️ Describe sail shapes

✔️ Heavy weather operation and emergency response

SKILLS

✔️ Engineering

✔️ Vessel maintenance

✔️ Boat handing under sail at night

ASA 107 Celestial Navigation Online Course

ASA 107, Celestial Navigation Online Course

Prerequisite ASA 105

ASA 107 Celestial Navigation is for sailors ready to master the art of navigating by the sun, moon, planets, and stars, with the techniques that have guided mariners for over 40 millenniums. This course builds true self-reliance and offers a rewarding challenge for those seeking to navigate beyond the reach of electronics.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Principles of Celestial Navigation

✔️ Position by Stars

✔️ Solar and Lunar Navigation

✔️ Ocean Plotting

✔️Long-Distance Techniques

SKILLS

✔️ Sextant Operation

✔️ Time Conversion

✔️ The Navigational Triangle

✔️Plotting  Positions

✔️Latitude by Sun or Pole Star

a close up of a sign

ASA 117 Celestial Endorsement Online Course

ASA 117, Celestial Edorsement Online Course

Prerequisite ASA 105

ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement introduces sailors to the core techniques of celestial navigation, using the sun and stars to determine position with a sextant. Designed as a practical and approachable starting point, it builds confidence and provides a reliable alternative to electronic navigation for offshore or emergency situations.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Core Celestial Concepts

✔️ Naurical Almanac Use

✔️ Sunrise and Sunset Times

✔️ Twilight Determination

✔️Sextant Principles

✔️Backup Navigation

SKILLS

✔️ Sextant Operation

✔️ Time Conversion

✔️ Position Fixing

✔️Plotting  Positions

✔️Latitude by Sun or Pole Star

a large body of water

ASA 119 Marine Weather Endorsement Online Course

ASA 119, Marine Weather Endorsement Online Course

No Prerequisites, but ASA 105 is highly recommended beforehand.

ASA 119 Marine Weather Endorsement teaches sailors how to confidently interpret weather data and recognize patterns that impact conditions at sea. With a strong focus on practical forecasting skills, this course helps you avoid surprises, make smarter routing decisions, and sail more safely in all types of marine environments.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Marine Weather Fundatmentals 

✔️ Interaction of Weather Elements 

✔️ Global Weather Systems

✔️ Wind System Behavior

✔️ Traditional Forecasting Methods

✔️ Modern Forecasting Tools

✔️ Weather-aware Voyage Planning

SKILLS

✔️ Wind Pattern Analysis

✔️ Pressure Interpretation

✔️ Cloud Identification

✔️ Seat State Observation

✔️ Weather Map Reading

✔️ Barometer Use

✔️ Satellite Data Interpretation

✔️ Onboard Forecasting

graphical user interface

ASA 120 Radar Endorsement Online Course

ASA 120, Radar Edorsement Online Course

Prerequisite ASA 105

ASA 120 Radar Endorsement equips sailors with the knowledge to confidently use radar as a critical tool in challenging conditions like fog, darkness, or unfamiliar waters. By learning both fundamental operations and advanced techniques, you’ll enhance your situational awareness and safety, becoming a more skilled and prepared navigator.

KNOWLEDGE

✔️ Radar Principles

✔️ System Components

✔️ Signal Structure

✔️ Safe Radar Use

✔️ Collision Avoidance Techniques

✔️ Navigation With Radar

✔️ Adapting to Conditions

SKILLS

✔️ Radar Operation

✔️ Screen Interpretation

✔️ Setting Optimization

✔️ Radar Plotting

✔️ Target Tracking

✔️ Radar-Base Anchoring

✔️ Navigation in Low Visibility

WHY ASA, AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION?

🔷 ASA has certified more than 476,000 sailing students.

🔷 Over 300 professional sailing schools around the world use the ASA system.

🔷 ASA membership represents about 85% of the viable, commercial sailing schools in the U.S.

🔷 ASA is the standard for sailing education in the US and increasingly elsewhere in the world.

🔷 ASA certification is recognized by major charter boat companies as well as other ASA facilities around the world.

🔷 ASA has had a functioning, nationwide keelboat program since 1983.

🔷ASA is the only certifying organization which has adopted an instructor code of ethics.

Go Sail Virgin Islands’ 5-star reviews on USVI and BVI Yacht Charters say it all ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

icon

"An eyeopener into life on a sailboat"

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
icon

"Learned throughout the day"

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
logo, icon

"Allowed us to learn how to sail and develop confidence as sailors."

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
logo, icon, company name

"A unique experience"

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
icon

"I recommend Go Sail Virgin Islands without hesitation!"

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
icon

"A thoroughly enjoyable time learning to sail"

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
logo

"Great Experience!"

Great experience, boat and instructor/ captain... would thoroughly recommend!

– Rob U | Google
logo, icon

"Learning from each other"

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
icon

"Our instructor JT Quinn was top notch!"

Attended a great 6 day catamaran sailing course in the USVI. Our instructor JT Quinn was top notch! Highly recommend!

– Trish M | Google
icon

"A super experience."

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
logo, icon

"Absolutely perfect adventure!"

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
logo, icon, company name

"The whole experience did not disappoint"

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
icon

"Sail VI premium ASA course!"

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
logo

"I highly recommend!"

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
logo, icon

"Excellent Instruction!'

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
logo, icon, company name

"So Rewarding!"

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
logo

"Phenomenal Experience!"

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
logo, icon, company name

"Exceeded Expectations"

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
logo, icon

"JT is an amazing Captain"

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
logo

"Outstanding"

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