Whether you’re new to sailing or a seasoned “old salty”, SAIL VENTURES has the perfect training program for you wherever you may be in your sailing career. We offer ASA certified training classes from basic keelboat to more advanced coastal navigation and cruising options. All of our instructors are experienced ASA certified trainers and USCG licensed captains, assuring you the highest quality of instruction. All of our training vessels are new modern sailing yachts with the features and amenities you would expect from the premier sailing school on the gulf coast. Are your ready to start a lifetime of fun and adventure? Let us help you get started the right way!
Learn to skipper and crew a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20-27 feet in length by day in light to moderate wind and sea conditions in familiar waters. No prior experience is necessary to take this class.
This is a 2-day course combining classroom and on-the-water instruction covering basic terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship, basic navigation, and safety. Max 4 students per class.
Learn to skipper and crew aboard a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 30 feet in length daily in winds up to 20 knots. Depart, sail, and return with control, demonstrating teamwork.
LIt often makes sense for students to combine 2 or more ASA certifications into one extended class. We can save experienced sailors time and money by allowing moderately experienced sailors to test out of a lower certification. Or for those with limited time away from work, you can earn multiple certifications into a shorter period of time.
The ASA 103/104 course is a 3-day, 2-night course covering the material of ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising and ASA 104 Bareboat Charter. The course is built like a short charter vacation and is great for families or couples interested in chartering in the Caribbean.
During this 2-day class, students will learn the theory and hands-on skills needed to safely navigate a vessel in near coastal or inland waters with a focus on real-world, practical navigation.
Students move from dead reckoning to more advanced piloting incorporating currents, leeway, and GPS navigation.
Students learn to use tide and current tables, light lists, Chart No. 1, Notice to Mariners, and other tools.
Learn practical navigation on inland and coastal waters, including chart reading, piloting, rules of the road, tides and currents, and more. Includes both echart and paper chart training. Self Paced with the option to cover additional material as desired.
Approx. 40-60hrs of material to cover. Instructors and discussion groups available on demand. Course includes the following materials: charts, Navigation Rules, custom eCharts and NOAA eCharts. Excludes plotting tools. This course is a prerequisite for ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising.
Students will learn how to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailboat 30 to 50 feet in length in near coastal and inland waters, in any wind and weather conditions.
Learn practical celestial navigation and other aspects of safe ocean navigation. This course covers how to find position at sea from timed sextant sights of the sun, moon, stars, and planets plus other routine and special procedures of safe, efficient offshore navigation. No previous navigation experience is required. Approx. 40-60hrs of material to cover. Instructors and discussion groups available on demand.
Students will learn how to pilot a cruising catamaran between 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day live-a-board cruise in near coastal waters. At the end of the class, students will be able to sail in moderate to heavy winds and sea conditions.
Learn to apply basic celestial navigation theory and practice to determine latitude and longitude at sea using a sextant and Nautical Almanac. This course covers the basic celestial navigation needed to make your way to safety across an ocean with no special aids except one small book, a watch, and a sextant. Approx. 5-10hrs of material to cover. Instructors and discussion groups available on demand. Includes all material & textbooks: GPS Backup with a Mark 3 Sextant and How to Use Plastic Sextants
This 1-day course is designed to teach docking in high wind situations. It covers the basic theory and hands-on techniques needed to dock and undock boats in an efficient manner and without damage or injury.
After reviewing study materials earlier, students will spend an entire day on the boat practicing what they learn.
Learn to observe and forecast weather conditions using traditional maritime skills and modern technology. Knowledge of weather information for planning and adapting navigation during short-duration and extended voyages.
Approx. 20-40hrs of material to cover.
Instructors and discussion groups available on demand.
Includes all material & textbooks: Modern Marine Weather; eBooks: Modern Marine Weather & Barometer Handbook. Software included: Weather Trainer Live (1-year subscription
