The Delmarva Sailing School ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing, ASA103 Basic Coastal Cruising, and ASA104 Bareboat Cruising Challenge Program is for highly competent sailors who have no ASA Certifications but need or want to gain ASA certifications for ASA101, ASA103, and ASA104 without taking any ASA Sailing Classes.

The ASA Challenge for ASA101, ASA103, and ASA104 is not for beginner or intermediate sailors. Some Intermediate or better sailors may be able to challenge ASA101 and then enter at the ASA103 Basic Coastal Cruising level. We describe this on our website’s Courses, Prices, Schedules, and Shop Page. Challenging ASA101 is common and allows those with sailing experience to enter at the ASA103 level.

The ASA101, ASA103, and ASA104 Challenge Program is for advanced sailors. Since ASA101 Basic Keelboat and ASA103 Basic Coastal Cruising are prerequisites for ASA104 Bareboat Cruising, candidates must also challenge ASA101, ASA103, and ASA104 simultaneously.

Many sailing backgrounds might qualify for this. The main thing is that after learning of the candidate’s sailing background and experience, the candidate is an advanced sailor.

Here is how the ASA101, ASA103, and ASA104 Challenge Program works:

Candidates submit a sailing resume before selection into the program.

Once selected, the ASA101, ASA103, and ASA104 Challenge Program is conducted over a one-day period, during which the candidates’ knowledge and sailing skills are thoroughly evaluated.

The candidates’ knowledge is evaluated by taking the ASA101, ASA103, and ASA104 written tests. To qualify, candidates must score 80% or higher on the written tests.

We also evaluate candidates’ on-the-water sailing skills by sailing together so candidates can demonstrate the skills requirements of all three ASA certifications.

You can see the content of all three ASA certifications by visiting the ASA website certification description pages by clicking on the buttons below:

ASA101 Basic Keelboat Standard

ASA103 Basic Coastal Cruising Standard

ASA104 Bareboat Cruising Standard

The Advanced ASA Challenge Program is not a sailing class. Every sailboat is different, and we are willing to answer questions about how our sailboat operates. Still, Candidates are expected to demonstrate competence without general instruction from the evaluator. 

Price shown on the Courses, Prices, Schedules, and Shop Page includes the textbooks for ASA101, ASA103, and ASA104, ASA tests, ASA log book, ASA 101, ASA103, and ASA104 certifications, and use of our sailboat and instructor time. This evaluation is conducted on our 39-foot Pearson sloop