Certification
Explore ASA certifications
All ASA sailing certifications offered by Sailing Virgins.
Beginner Course7 Days • From $3,790
ASA 102: Keelboat Sailing 2
ASA 102 picks up where ASA 101 leaves off: sharper sail trim, smoother tacks and jibes, and the boat handling that makes you the person every skipper wants aboard.
See Beginner WeeksFrom $3,790 per person
5.0 / 217 Reviews
ASA Certified
4-6 Students Max
6 Destinations
Prerequisites: ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing (taught in the same Beginner week)
Duration: 7 Days
Available: Year Round
The official ASA follow-on to ASA 101Sail trim and boat handling that make you a really competent crewPart of our Beginner week from 2027, alongside ASA 101Small crews, so you practise every crew position
ASA 101 gets you sailing. ASA 102 Keelboat Sailing 2 makes you good at it. It is the American Sailing Association's next step on the same kind of boat: a sloop-rigged keelboat, sailed by day in winds up to 20 knots.
ASA describes a 102 sailor as able to skipper and crew that boat with intermediate knowledge and skills of boat handling, sail trim, boat balance, safety and overall sailing performance. In plain terms: you know why the sails are shaped the way they are, you can change that shape on purpose, and you can play every crew position on a tack, a jibe or a crew overboard recovery.
At Sailing Virgins, ASA 102 is part of our Beginner week for weeks starting from January 2027, taught alongside ASA 101 on a live-aboard yacht. (Beginner weeks in 2026 award ASA 101 and ASA 103.) Someone who leaves with ASA 101 and 102 is a really competent crew member, and ready to step up to our Intermediate week.
As with every ASA course, certification depends on showing the skills on the water and passing the written test, and our instructors give you the whole week to get there.
What You'll Master in ASA 102
Sail Shape and Power
Angle of attack, depth and twist: the three sources of sail power, and how to add or take away power on purpose.
Sail Controls
Jib sheets, jib leads, halyard, mainsheet, traveler, outhaul and backstay. What each one does to the sail, and when to use it.
Upwind Performance
Steer to the telltales, sail "in the groove", depower in the gusts and set and shake out a reef.
Reaching and Running
Trim for close, beam and broad reaches, sail wing-on-wing, and avoid an accidental jibe on a deep run.
Boat Balance
Use crew weight, heel and trim to balance the boat, and even sail with the rudder centred and locked.
Every Crew Position
Tack and jibe as helm, jib trimmer and main trimmer, with clear commands and safe winch and line handling.
Crew Overboard Recovery
Figure-8 and Quick Stop recoveries, practised from each crew position with good communication.
Docks, Moorings and Heaving-To
Leave and return to a dock in different winds, pick up and drop a mooring, sail backwards out of irons, and heave-to.
Ready to Start Your ASA 102 Adventure?
Join thousands of students who have transformed their lives through sailing.
Courses year-round
6 destinations
ASA certified
Starting from $3,790 • Accommodations & meals included
Your ASA 102 Journey
Here's what a week of transformation looks like, day by day. Click to explore each day's adventure.
Morning
Arrive, settle into your cabin and meet your crew
Afternoon
Safety briefing, boat walk-through and your first sail
Evening
Welcome dinner at anchor
Skills:Safety equipmentParts of the boatFirst time at the helm
See ASA 102 in Action
Watch our instructors demonstrate the sail trim you'll practise in ASA 102.
Sail Trim Techniques
Tripadvisor Reviews
What Our Students Say
5.0
(217+ reviews)
Outstanding Leadership and Seamless Instruction
James is one of the best leaders I have ever met. He is especially good at teaching by letting you learn through doing. He doesn't over-explain or hover. Instead, he gives you space to practice and steps in with the right feedback at the right time.
N
Nathan S
Feb 2025 • Couples
The best sailing school around!
I attended the BVI Sailing week and had a blast! I took several ASA courses and added onto my sailing skill set! James is an incredible teacher and instructor and could cater to each student's learning style!
B
Bluewater Breeze Co
Nov 2024 • Solo
Meet Your Captains
Our instructors aren't just certified — they're seasoned sailors who have logged thousands of miles and trained hundreds of students.
What's Included in Your Course
Included in Your Fee
- Accommodations on a modern, well-equipped cruising yacht
- All onboard meals and provisions
- ASA 101 and ASA 102 exams and processing fees (Beginner weeks from 2027)
- Expert instruction from certified captains
- Fuel and marina fees
- Course materials and digital logbook
Plan for Separately
- Flights and transportation to/from the destination
- Dinners eaten onshore at restaurants
- Personal travel insurance (required)
- Alcoholic beverages purchased ashore
Budget Tip
Most students budget an additional $300-500 for shore meals, drinks, and personal expenses. Flights vary by destination and origin.
The True Value of Your Investment
~$1,500
7 Nights Yacht Accommodation
~$800
ASA Certifications & Exams
~$1,000
Professional Instruction
Priceless
Skills, Friends, Memories
Your Price
From $3,790
per person, all-inclusive
Is ASA 102 Right for You?
We want to make sure this course is a perfect fit. Here's who thrives in our programs — and who might prefer something different.
This Course is Perfect If You...
- Complete beginners on a 2027 Beginner week (ASA 101 is taught first, in the same week)
- ASA 101 holders who want to really understand sail trim
- Anyone who wants to be a confident, useful crew member on a friend's boat
- Sailors planning to move on to our Intermediate week (ASA 103 + 104)
This Might Not Be for You If...
- Sailors who already hold ASA 103 or 104 (look at our Intermediate or Advanced weeks)
- People looking for a dinghy or small-boat course (ASA 102 is a keelboat course)
Looking for something different? We offer private charters for groups who want a customized experience, or can recommend other options if our courses aren't the right fit.
Real Talk
We Get It. Booking Can Feel Scary.
Every week, students arrive with the same worries. Here's the honest truth about what to expect.
The Solo Traveler Manifesto
Here's a secret: most people who book with us are solo travelers. They come alone but leave with lifelong friends. Living on a boat for a week creates bonds that typical vacations never could.
By day two, you'll forget you arrived alone. You'll be laughing over breakfast, cheering each other on during sail training, and sharing stories under the stars. Our small crew size (4-6 students) means everyone connects.
Many of our students have traveled the world solo—but they say a Sailing Virgins trip is where they've made their deepest friendships. There's something about the sea that strips away pretense.
82%
arrive solo
94%
stay in touch with crew
67%
have sailed together again
“I was terrified to show up alone. By day three, I was planning our reunion trip.”
— Sarah K., ASA 101 Graduate
Still have questions? We're happy to chat. Email us anytime.
ASA Certified School
5.0 / 217 Reviews
Flexible Booking
Your Sailing Certification Journey
See where Keelboat Sailing 2 fits in your path to becoming a confident captain.
Ready for the Next Level?
With ASA 101 + 102 complete, you're ready for our Intermediate Course (ASA 103 + 104). You'll learn navigation and longer passages, working toward ASA 104, the bareboat charter certification that lets you charter yachts worldwide.
Continue to IntermediateFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ASA 102
No. ASA 102 Keelboat Sailing 2 is the follow-on to ASA 101 on the same kind of boat: a sloop-rigged keelboat of about 20 to 30 feet, sailed by day in winds up to 20 knots. We teach it on our live-aboard cruising yachts.
Still have questions? We're here to help!
View all FAQsWhere You Can Take ASA 102
Life on an ASA 102 Course
Your ASA 102 Journey Awaits
Don't let another year slip by wondering “what if.”
Take the helm of your sailing story today.
Questions? Email us at [email protected]
Where to earn it, and what pairs with it
Certification
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Start your sailing journey with the ASA 101 Basic Keelboat course.
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