Sail Away Key West Catamaran 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 SAILING
Learn to skipper a 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 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 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.