Two Days to Keelboat Confidence: ASA 101 from Carillon Point

KIRKLAND SAILING FIELD GUIDE

Two Days to Keelboat Confidence: ASA 101 from Carillon Point

A focused, two-day ASA101 course at Carillon Point Marina that teaches knots, sail trim, seamanship and culminates in ASA certification.

Two Days to Keelboat Confidence: ASA 101 from Carillon Point.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Kirkland
Operator
Northwest Sailing
Category
Sailing
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Embark on an intensive, two-day sailing course based at Carillon Point Marina in Kirkland: hands-on instruction aboard keelboats (22–55 ft) that covers knots, sail trim, helming, rules of the road and seamanship so you leave able to contribute as a confident crew member.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE HANDS-ON TRAINING

Aboard Real Keelboats

Sixteen hours of on‑water training aboard keelboats ranging from 22 to 55 feet puts you at the sheets and the helm, practicing tacking, jibing, sail trim and basic seamanship under expert instruction.

THE CERTIFICATION

ASA Textbook and Certification Included

The course fee includes the ASA textbook mailed to you in advance, plus the ASA test and certification fees, so successful students leave with formal recognition of their skills.

THE ACCESSIBILITY

No Prior Experience Needed

Designed for newcomers as well as novices who want a solid foundation, the class requires no previous sailing experience and runs across two consecutive days.

What the day feels like

What Two Intensive Days Feel Like

The course is an immersive, two‑day program that combines shore briefing and on‑water practice: you learn terminology and knots, rig and trim sails, take turns at the helm, and run drills such as crew-overboard recovery to build practical, repeatable skills.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this course fits — and who should look elsewhere.

1
Adult BeginnersIdeal for adults aged 18 and up who want a structured, no‑experience‑required introduction to sailing.
2
Aspiring Crew MembersA good match for those who want the basics needed to contribute onboard—knots, sail handling and seamanship are core focuses.
3
Committed LearnersSuited to people who can dedicate two consecutive days to training and wish to complete a full 16 hours of on‑water instruction.
4
Not for MinorsNot appropriate for under‑18s: the course is restricted to participants aged 18 and older.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

What’s Included

Course price includes the ASA textbook (mailed ahead) and ASA test and certification fees.

Course Length

Two consecutive days of instruction totaling 16 hours of on‑water training (typically 8 hours per day).

Gratuity

Tipping the instructor is customary within the industry and typically ranges from 10% to 20% of the course fee.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the ASA101 course?

Two days, typically 8 hours each day, totaling 16 hours of on‑water training.

Where does the course meet?

The course is based at Carillon Point Marina in Kirkland.

Do I need prior sailing experience?

No prior experience is required to enroll in the course.

Is certification included?

Yes — the price includes the ASA textbook, the ASA test and certification fees.

Should I tip the instructor?

Tipping is customary and typically ranges from 10% to 20% of the course fee.