FERNANDINA BEACH BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Coastal Confidence: 4.5 Days to Skipper and Crew on a 25–30 ft Sailboat
A hands‑on Combo Course 101/103 out of Fernandina Beach that teaches sailing, seamanship and cruise skills over a focused 4.5‑day program—this guide explains what you’ll learn and how the training runs.
Coastal Confidence: 4.5 Days to Skipper and Crew on a 25–30 ft Sailboat.
From Fernandina Beach, Windward Sailing runs a popular Combo Course 101/103: an all‑in‑one, 4.5‑day hands‑on program that takes students aboard 25–30‑foot sailboats to learn safety, seamanship, rules of the road and duties of skipper and crew. The combo blends the entry standard of 101—sailing in light to moderate conditions in familiar waters—with 103’s focus on cruising safely as skipper and crew in local and regional coastal waters under auxiliary power.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
An efficient, all‑in‑one learning sequence
The combo packages 101 and 103 into a single concentrated course, offering classroom and on‑deck instruction that covers safety, weather, seamanship, gear and duties of skipper and crew—designed so newcomers can progress to cruising competence.
Sail and cruise on 25–30‑foot vessels
Training is delivered on 25–30‑foot sailboats, with 101 focusing on handling in light to moderate winds without auxiliary systems and 103 extending to auxiliary‑powered cruising in moderate conditions.
Local and regional coastal practice
Students gain experience in familiar local waters and in regional coastal conditions, practicing both pure sailing and auxiliary‑powered cruising scenarios to build skipper and crew confidence.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
Over 4.5 days you move between instruction and hands‑on practice: basics and safety briefs lead into on‑deck drills, sail handling in light to moderate conditions, and supervised cruising under auxiliary power. The pace is concentrated and practical—an intensive introduction that takes novices through the skills needed to operate a 25–30‑foot boat as both crew and skipper.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The program runs as a concentrated 4.5‑day course, combining classroom and on‑water sessions.
The curriculum includes instruction on gear and equipment; participants need no prior experience—bring personal essentials as advised by the operator and a readiness to work hands‑on.
The course is operated by Windward Sailing out of Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Combo Course 101/103?
The combined program runs 4.5 days.
Do I need prior sailing experience?
No prior experience is required—the course is designed to take newcomers through fundamental sailing and cruising skills.
What size boats are used for training?
Instruction is delivered aboard sailboats approximately 25–30 feet in length.
What topics does the course cover?
Areas of instruction include safety, rules of the road, weather, seamanship, gear and equipment, and duties of skipper and crew.
Where and who runs this course?
Windward Sailing operates the Combo Course 101/103 out of Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Is the course appropriate for children or older participants?
The offering is presented as suitable for all ages; prospective participants should consult the operator for any specific age or health guidance.