CLEAR LAKE SHORES SAILING FIELD GUIDE
ASA 105: Mastering Coastal Navigation from the Classroom at Clear Lake Shores
An ASA-certified, three-day coastal navigation course that teaches chart work, compass use and practical navigation theory; this guide explains the format, prerequisites and what to bring so you can arrive prepared.
ASA 105: Mastering Coastal Navigation from the Classroom at Clear Lake Shores.
Dive into coastal navigation with an immersive ASA 105 program that walks you through chart reading, compass use and navigation theory so you can competently plan and fix positions in coastal and inland waters.
Highlights
Course Highlights
Practical navigation skills you’ll use at sea
The course emphasizes chart symbols, U.S. Coast Guard navigation publication tables, light lists, notice to mariners, dead reckoning, three-bearing and running fixes, set-and-drift computations, and tide and current calculations.
A paced classroom-to-practice structure
Instruction is presented over two classroom days with sample problems, followed by a week of recommended home practice and a third day for review and testing, all taught on a 9–4pm schedule.
ASA-certified and deeper than the USCG module
This ASA-certified course is more in-depth than the USCG navigation module; students should expect outside study and practice problems to internalize the material.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
You spend concentrated days in the classroom working through sample problems and navigation theory, then take a week to complete roughly fifty practice problems on your own before rejoining for a final review and testing session—an intense, study-driven progression designed to build practical competence.
THE CURRICULUM
Practical navigation skills you’ll use at sea
The course emphasizes chart symbols, U.S. Coast Guard navigation publication tables, light lists, notice to mariners, dead reckoning, three-bearing and running fixes, set-and-drift computations, and tide and current calculations.
THE FORMAT
A paced classroom-to-practice structure
Instruction is presented over two classroom days with sample problems, followed by a week of recommended home practice and a third day for review and testing, all taught on a 9–4pm schedule.
THE RIGOR
ASA-certified and deeper than the USCG module
This ASA-certified course is more in-depth than the USCG navigation module; students should expect outside study and practice problems to internalize the material.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who benefits most from this course — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Three classroom days spread over two initial instructional days and a third review/test day about one week later; all course days run on a 9–4pm schedule.
The course fee does NOT include the textbook, workbook, practice chart, divider and plotter—students receive a supplies list to purchase in advance; the student rate includes the testing chart.
Meet at SailTime Houston for the classroom sessions.
Student rate is $595, which includes the testing chart; other course materials are extra and must be purchased separately.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the course?
Three days in the classroom with a week of recommended home practice between the instructional block and the final review/testing day; classroom days run 9–4pm.
What navigation topics are covered?
Chart symbols, U.S. Coast Guard navigation publication tables, light lists, notice to mariners, dead reckoning, three-bearing fixes, running fixes, set and drift computations, compass correction, and tide and current calculations.
Are there prerequisites to enroll?
No ASA prerequisites are required, but SailTime highly recommends a basic understanding of nautical charts and experience reading a compass.
What does the course fee cover?
The student fee of $595 includes the testing chart; the course fee does NOT include the book, workbook, practice chart, divider or plotter, which students must purchase separately.
How is the course delivered?
Instruction is given over two classroom days with sample problems, students are expected to complete about fifty practice problems during the subsequent week, and a third day is devoted to review and testing.
How does ASA 105 compare to the USCG module?
This ASA-certified course is more in-depth than the USCG navigation module and requires additional study outside of class.