ASA108 Ocean Passage Making Class- ASA108 students learn the skills required to sail offshore safely for an extended period. ASA108 provides students with an understanding of yacht preparation for ocean sailing, course planning, working a watch schedule, use of celestial navigation, weather analysis, storm avoidance, heavy weather sailing techniques, including use of a drogue and storm jib, use of radar, techniques for crossing the Gulf Stream, and other elements involved in ocean passage making. Our ASA108 classes are conducted while we are on real passages, so students experience the real deal. All ASA108 classes are taught by Captain Mike Brown, an ASA certified instructor evaluator, a USCG ocean master licensed captain, and a highly experienced sailor with over 40,000 nautical miles on the ocean. Class is conducted on a 39-foot Pearson sloop. Prerequisites: ASA101, ASA103, ASA104, ASA105, ASA106, ASA107 or ASA117. ASA102 is not required.
Class Dates: October 26, 2026-November 6, 2026
Our ASA108 class is unique in that it includes an ocean passage and a coastal cruise. This 12-day class includes sailing 150 nm (3 days) down the Chesapeake Bay from Rock Hall, MD, to Norfolk, VA, and then traversing 130 nm (3 days) down the Intracoastal Waterway from Norfolk to Beaufort, NC. This is followed by jumping out into the Atlantic Ocean off Beaufort and sailing 400 nm (3-4 days) offshore to Cape May, NJ. We then sail 100 nm (2 days) up the Delaware Bay and Delaware River, cross the C & D Canal into the Chesapeake Bay, and finally reach Rock Hall.
This includes the ASA 108 certification and all onboard food and beverages. Sleep aboard for free all nights of the class and the evening before the class begins.
Combination ASA106/107: Since our plans include a coastal cruise from Rock Hall, MD, to Norfolk, VA, and down the Intracoastal Waterway, we can offer ASA106 certification to anyone who does not have ASA106 Certification. $500 adder to add ASA106 certification. Includes ASA certification, all on-board food and beverages. Sleep aboard for free all nights of the class and the evening before the class begins.
Note: It is possible to fulfill the Celestial Navigation prerequisites with either ASA 107 Celestial Navigation or ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement. We offer both as home studies. Please see the links below:
