Have you ever wanted to learn to sail?  Now you can combine your Custom Sailing vacation with sailing instruction.  In collaboration with Reef Runner Sailing School you can now learn to sail while on vacation in the Greek Islands, the Caribbean or New England.

Reef Runner Sailing School is an American Sailing Association (ASA) accredited school offering sailing instruction for the beginning to experienced sailor. The American Sailing Association is the world’s foremost organization dedicated to training, teaching and certifying schools, instructors and sailing enthusiasts. When you join the American Sailing Association, or work with an ASA certified school, you know you’re getting the most rigorous, safety-first education and the best sailing instruction available.

Our Custom Sailing, Ltd. captains/instructors are US Coast Guard licensed and ASA certified and are here to help you learn in a fun and relaxed environment.

Would you like to learn to sail locally prior to your sailing vacation?  Lord Nelson Charters, based in Buford, GA is the recipient of the ASA Outstanding School of the Year Award and offers classes and corporate outtings in the Atlanta area.

ASA Course Outlines

Basic Keel Boat (101)

Prerequisites: None
General Description: Able to sail a boat of about 20 feet in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required.

Basic Coastal Cruising (103)

Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing Certificate
General Description: Able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.

Bareboat Chartering (104)

(Intermediate Coastal Cruising)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing and Basic Coastal Cruising Certification
General Description: An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a 30 – 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The Standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures.

Coastal Navigation (105)

Prerequisites: None
General Description: Able to demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. There is no Sailing Skills part to this Standard and practical application of this sailing knowledge is found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard.

Advanced Coastal Cruising (106)

Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing, Basic Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Chartering and Coastal Navigation Certification
General Description: Able to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length. This is a day and nighttime Standard in coastal and inland water, in any weather.

Celestial Navigation (107)

Prerequisites: None
General Description: Able to demonstrate the Celestial Navigation theory required to safely navigate a sailboat on an offshore passage. The practical application is conducted in the Offshore Passagemaking Standard.

Offshore Passagemaking (108)

Prerequisites: All previous Keelboat Standards
General Description: The sailor is able to safely act as skipper or crew of a sailing vessel on offshore passages in any weather. The Celestial Nav. Standard is performed.

Private Instruction

Prerequisites: None
Private instruction is available without a certification anytime while on-board with Custom Sailing, Ltd.  Just ask your Captain and they will be happy to “show you the ropes”.

Please contact us for additional information on any of the classes offered.