Bay Breeze works with several non-profit sailing organizations to send disadvantaged kids to sailing camps. A portion of all sailing school student fees go towards scholarships so that these kids can experience the joy of sailing!
Private Instruction & Group Courses - Book 4 spots in any class listed below and you’ll have private instruction with 10% off the regular rate. If you want to learn on you own boat in your own homeport, download a Private Instruction PDF.
Bareboat Certifications- If you’re looking for a Bareboat Charter Certification, we make it easy to find the right course with the system below:
Bay Breeze Bareboat Certifications:
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Level 1 – boats up to 32′
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Level 2 – boats up to 36′
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Level 3 – boats up to 39′
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Level 4 – boats up to 45′
Click on the course header for detailed requirements of each course
Basic Sailing
ASA 101 Basic Sailing
- 2-Days – Spring and Fall only
- A two-day course designed to give you the basic sailing experience with at least 10-14 hours of instruction on the water. This ASA certification course will provide the necessary knowledge and skills to sail small fixed keel sailboat in light to moderate conditions. Sail theory, safety, tying knots and terminology are just part of what you will learn. The ASA certification test is taken at the end of the 2nd day. This course includes the ASA Sailing Fundamentals text book and ASA log book. This course alone will not certify you to charter the boat you train on but will give you basic sailing experience.
- 9am-5pm, for a total of 14 hours of instruction. Classes are held in Spring and Fall. This course can be scheduled most anytime if you have 4 students or would like private instruction. Call the office for details!
- $425.00 per student includes ASA 101 certification
Basic Cruising
ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising
- 2-Days – Spring and Fall only
- For graduates of the 101 course or for those that have sailing experience and are willing to test into this course. The 103 course spends more time focusing on developing the skills for independent, short range cruising. More emphasis is put on docking and harbor handling, anchoring, heavy weather tactics, terminology and dives deeper into the topics covered in the 101. Approximately 10-14 hours of instruction on the water.
- 9am-5pm, for a total of 14 hours of instruction. Classes are held in Spring and Fall. This course can be scheduled most anytime if you have 4 students or would like private instruction. Call the office for details!
- $425.00 per student includes ASA 103 certification. Test out option for ASA 101 is $100.
Bareboat Level 1 – Basic Cruising Combo
ASA 101 & 103 Combo Course with ASA certifications included
- Bay Breeze bareboat qualification up to 32’
- 4- Days live-aboard option – limited space for live-aboard, call office to reserve your space!
- Our best selling course. Taught on a 30’ cruising sailboat, this course is designed to give you confidence. You will learn everything mentioned in the above courses but in a consistent 4-day format. Anchoring, expanded terminology, heavy weather tactics, harbor handling and docking, person-overboard recovery, general seamanship and weather is only part of the program. You will also be exposed to a wide variety of gear and hardware found on sail vessels designed for more than just day-sailing. Students are welcome to stay aboard each night at no additional cost but space is limited, stay aboards must be reserved! At the end of each day around 5pm you will be back dockside in our marina and free to browse the beautiful town of Traverse City. Make it a learning vacation you will always remember. This course includes the ASA Sailing Fundamentals text book and ASA log book. Classes held every Saturday through Tuesday, 9am-5pm, mid May through September.
- $795.00 per student includes ASA 101/103 certification: discounts for groups
Bareboat Level 1 Learning Cruise
Independent cruising in protected waters
- 3-Day charter on your own (no instructor)
- After successful completion of the Bareboat Level 1 (ASA 101/103), this popular option allows you to take the boat you learned on (or similar model) for a 3-day cruising experience. Practice skills you just learned and harbor-hop on to Suttons Bay, Northport or Elk Rapids. Or anchor out at nearby Power Island Nature Preserve. The boat is yours and the destinations are many. Our boats have many live-aboard amenities such as propane stoves, refrigeration, holding tank head and hot showers. The boat sleeps 5-6 so you can invite your family and friends along.
- These prices are for the entire boat for 3 days – that’s not per person; that’s for your own private boat!
- $795 for the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday immediately following your 101/103 course or after Labor Day
- $895 for any Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Memorial Day thru Labor Day if not immediately after your course
- Regular pricing may apply if you cannot sail Wednesday thru Friday.
Bareboat Level 2 – Intermediate Cruising
ASA 104 Bareboat Certification (intermediate coastal cruising) optional
- Bareboat up to 36’
- 3 day course
- The 3 day course is for those that have completed 101 & 103 or for those with a good sailing background and are competent with the standards posted in the 101 and 103 courses.
- This course covers cruise planning, mechanical and electrical systems, advanced anchoring techniques, more in-depth navigation, heavy weather tactics as well as the live aboard experience. This is the course to prepare you for that bareboat charter in the Caribbean or for further cruising on your own boat.
- 3-Day Course $695.00 per student. Additional $100 for ASA 104 Certification (prerequisites 101/103 or test out required for 104 certification). Discounts for groups of 4 or more and for private instruction.
Bareboat Levels 1&2 - Intermediate Cruising Combo
ASA 101/103/104 Combo Course with ASA certifications included
- Bay Breeze bareboat qualification up to 36’ / ASA bareboat up to 50’
- 7 day course
- The 7 day course is for those just starting out or for those who would like to fine tune their sailing skills. No prerequisites are necessary. Starts out with 4 days on a 32’ boat and finishes with 3 days on a 39’ boat.
- This course starts out with basic sail theory and tactics (same as Bareboat level 1) and evolves into cruise planning, mechanical and electrical systems, advanced anchoring techniques, more in-depth navigation, heavy weather tactics as well as the live aboard experience. This is the course to prepare you for that bareboat charter in the Caribbean or for further cruising on your own boat.
- 7-Day Course $1395 per student and includes ASA 101/103/104 certifications. Discounts for groups of 4 or more and for private instruction.
Bareboat Level 3 - Cruising Navigation Combo
ASA 104 & 105 Bareboat & Coastal Navigation certifications optional
- Bay Breeze bareboat qualification up to 39’/ ASA bareboat up to 50’
- 7-Day live aboard cruise
- Combines Bareboat Levels 2 and Coastal Navigation courses.
- At least 10 hours of home-study is required to prep for Coastal Navigation. You will receive text books, practice charts and a study guide to further prepare you for the course. You’ll visit quaint harbor towns and scenic anchorages plus hone your skills for live-aboard cruising and navigation.
- $1395.00 per student. Additional $100 for 104 certification. Call for pricing for 105 certification. Discounts for groups of 4 or more or private instruction
Bareboat Level 4 – Advanced Cruising
ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising certification optional
- Bay Breeze bareboat qualification up to 45’ / ASA up to 50’
- 7-Days live aboard cruise
- Hone all the skills learned in prior classes and add in new experiences including night navigation under sail, up to 100 mile non-stop passages, vessel systems troubleshooting, engineering and much more. Class is aboard a 35-45 foot cruising monohull and includes Chapman’s Seamanship & Piloting, parallel rules, dividers and support material.
- $1395.00 per student. Additional $100 for ASA 106 certification (prerequisites 101/103/104/105 or test out required). Discounts for groups of 4 or more or private instruction.
Coastal Navigation Home-Study
ASA 105 Coastal Navigation Certification optional
- A comprehensive and in-depth study of navigation designed to fit most skill levels from beginners to experienced navigators looking for a refresher. In fact, more than a few “old salts” commented on how much they didn’t know after taking this course! You’ll receive the Coastal Navigation text book, CD guide, nautical chart, study aids, practice worksheets and customized study guidelines.
- Students will become proficient in the use of navigational aids, chart reading, use of navigational tools, determining courses, taking bearings, plotting fixes, variation & deviation, dead reckoning, use of tide & current tables and more.
- Cost is $179 includes for materials mentioned above.
- For ASA testing and certification – $250 for one student, $175 per student if two or more test.
