MIDDLE RIVER SAILING FIELD GUIDE
Three and a Half Days to Master the Helm: Liveaboard ASA 104 from Middle River
A hands-on 3.5-day, 3-night liveaboard that teaches advanced seamanship and awards ASA 104 plus the ASA International Proficiency Certificate (IPC).
Three and a Half Days to Master the Helm: Liveaboard ASA 104 from Middle River.
Set out from Middle River for a concentrated 3.5-day liveaboard course aboard a 30'–45' sloop, where each passage and anchorage becomes a classroom: advanced sail trim, coastal navigation, emergency operations and hands-on boat systems training are threaded through an intimate coastal cruise of Maryland waters.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Earn ASA 104 and the ASA IPC
Complete the course to receive ASA 104 certification and the ASA International Proficiency Certificate (IPC); training materials and the textbook are provided and fuel and docking fees are included.
Real hands-on seamanship on 30'–45' sloops
Students learn to handle a sloop-rigged, auxiliary-powered 30'–45' sailboat in coastal and inland waters—covering sail trim, auxiliary engines, provisioning and emergency operations through live practice.
Anchorage-rich Maryland coastline
The liveaboard explores Maryland’s coastal anchorages with possible overnights in places such as Rock Hall, Annapolis, Baltimore and Kent Island while departing from and returning to Middle River.
What the day feels like
What the 3.5-day liveaboard feels like
The course is an intensive liveaboard: three nights at sea in a compact crew environment where classroom lessons immediately move to practice—navigation, anchoring, docking and emergency drills unfold between passages and protected anchorages along Maryland’s coast.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should pass.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
3.5 days, 3 nights liveaboard training aboard a 30'–45' sloop-rigged sailboat.
Textbook and training materials, ASA 104 certification and the ASA International Proficiency Certificate (IPC), plus fuel and docking fees are included.
Provisions are not fully included; expect additional costs for provisioning of about $200.
Participants must hold ASA 103 Coastal Cruising and be at least 18 years old.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the course?
The course runs 3.5 days with three nights liveaboard.
Where does the voyage depart and return?
The voyage departs from the Maryland Marina in Middle River, Maryland, and returns to Middle River after the course.
What certification will I earn?
Completing the course awards ASA 104 certification and the ASA International Proficiency Certificate (IPC).
What’s included in the price?
The course includes the textbook and materials, ASA 104 certification and IPC, and fuel and docking fees; provisioning costs are additional.
Are there age or certification prerequisites?
Yes — participants must be at least 18 years old and hold ASA 103 Coastal Cruising as a prerequisite.
What boat type will I train on?
Training takes place aboard a sloop-rigged, auxiliary-powered sailboat approximately 30'–45' in length.