About the Course
Prerequisite: ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising
ASA 105 is a classroom-based ASA certification course that teaches students to apply navigational theory and practices for safe navigation in coastal and inland waters. We practice charting and passage routing using compasses, parallel rules and dividers. Using the basics of seamanship and piloting, students learn the intricacies of tides and currents and how to adjust their projected courses to account for these differences.
Topics Covered in ASA 105 Coastal Navigation
Dead Reckoning and Estimated Positions
Learn how to use nautical charts, plotting tools and terrestrial objects to understand the fundamental relationship between distance, speed and time to find an estimated position or determine an ETA.
Taking Compass Fixes
Expand on ASA 104's teaching of taking two and three-point fixes using a hand-bearing compass and how to apply them to a navigational chart.
Calculating Set and Drift
How do we compensate for currents and the side-slipping motion, Leeway, from our own boat when dead reckoning? We teach how to compensate for set and drift so that you can be confident that your sailing vessel will not drift off course planning routes across tidal or current-heavy areas.
Taking Running Fixes
Learn how to get a moderately accurate position using a fix off of a single object on the coast, how to sail for a length of time, and then how to take a second fix from the same object. Running fixes are a crucial technique when sailing up and down the coast!
Converting courses and bearings between True, Magnetic and Compass North
We teach how to take a compass bearing, account for deviation and variation and plot it on a navigational chart according to True North.
And more!
We teach far beyond the basic ASA 105 curriculum. Our course covers topics such as tides and currents, danger bearings, electronic navigation instruments, navigation rules, important navigation publications helpful navigation skills and much more!
Students will graduate the course with an American Sailing 105 Coastal Navigation Certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ASA 105 held?
ASA 105 is a classroom-only course held in our classroom in East Boston, but sailing experience in previous courses is still required. It takes place over 2 consecutive weekends. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday, then 9:00 am to 5:00 pm again on the next Saturday.
How many students will be in the class?
We limit the number of students in the class to 6 so that there is room to spread out the large training charts and so that each student receives plenty of one-on-one attention from the sailing instructor.
What do I need to bring?
Students will need to bring their own dividers and parallel rules, which they can purchase from us on the first day. The First Reef Boston Sailing School will provide all other course materials.
What other ASA-certified courses are offered at First Reef Sailing?
In addition to ASA 105 Coastal Navigation, First Reef Sailing offers the following ASA courses in Boston, Massachusetts:
