CRYSTAL LAKE SAILING FIELD GUIDE
Two Days, One Boat: Overnight Coastal Cruising Training on Crystal Lake
A focused 2-day, overnight ASA 103 course that teaches boat systems, navigation, and safety in an intimate, hands-on setting.
Two Days, One Boat: Overnight Coastal Cruising Training on Crystal Lake.
On Crystal Lake, this ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising course compresses essential large-boat cruising skills into a two-day, overnight format: students sail from a harbor, sleep aboard the boat, and return the following morning while learning navigation, systems, and safety under direct instructor supervision.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Two-day, overnight instruction
The course runs over two days with an overnight stay on the training boat, giving students sustained, hands-on practice beyond a single-day clinic.
Very small class size for personalized coaching
Classes are intentionally limited—maximum three individual students or two couples—so instruction on systems, docking, and heavy-weather basics stays practical and individualized.
A practical syllabus: systems, navigation, and safety
Instructors cover boat systems and electrical panels, prop walk and docking, rules of the road and sound signals, buoys and lights, VHF use, cruising tips, chart problems, and safety systems—culminating with a written exam.
What the day feels like
What the two-day course feels like
The ASA 103 on Crystal Lake is an immersive, hands-on progression from basic keelboat instruction: over two days the instructor and a small group move from a harbor departure into practical cruising scenarios, spend the night aboard to practice onboard systems and watch for real-time navigation decisions, then return the next morning to consolidate learning.
THE FORMAT
Two-day, overnight instruction
The course runs over two days with an overnight stay on the training boat, giving students sustained, hands-on practice beyond a single-day clinic.
THE TEACHING
Very small class size for personalized coaching
Classes are intentionally limited—maximum three individual students or two couples—so instruction on systems, docking, and heavy-weather basics stays practical and individualized.
THE CURRICULUM
A practical syllabus: systems, navigation, and safety
Instructors cover boat systems and electrical panels, prop walk and docking, rules of the road and sound signals, buoys and lights, VHF use, cruising tips, chart problems, and safety systems—culminating with a written exam.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a two-day course with an overnight stay aboard the training boat.
Pack clothing and personal items suitable for an overnight stay on a boat and layers for on-deck work; bring any required personal documentation for course enrollment.
Students must have ASA 101 Basic Keelboat or pass the Basic Keelboat written test and demonstrate on-water proficiency to test out of 101.
Maximum of three individual students or two couples per class, ensuring focused, hands-on instruction.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the ASA 103 course?
The course is a two-day program that includes an overnight stay aboard the training boat.
Will we sleep on the boat?
Yes—the itinerary includes an overnight stay onboard the boat between the two sailing days.
What is the maximum class size?
Classes are limited to a maximum of three individual students or two couples per session.
Do I need ASA 101 before taking this course?
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat is a prerequisite; qualified sailors may test out of 101 by passing the written test and demonstrating on-water proficiency.
What topics are covered in the curriculum?
Instruction includes boat systems and battery management, electrical panels and engine, prop walk and docking, rules of the road, sound signals, buoys and lights, VHF operation, cruising tips, navigation and chart problems, safety systems, heavy-weather sailing, and a written exam.
Who operates the course?
The ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising course is operated by SailTime Chicago on Crystal Lake.