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Learn to sail with confidence in Metro Detroit.
Earn your American Sailing certification through hands-on classes aboard a 30-foot sailboat on Lake St. Clair. From your first day at the helm to advanced bareboat cruising, our instructors help you build real skills—not just pass a test.
More time sailing. More confidence at the helm.
Lake St. Clair Sailing School provides American Sailing classes for adults and teens in Michigan. Our location at Lambrecht Marina gives students from Detroit, Macomb County, Oakland County and throughout Southeast Michigan convenient access to practical sailing instruction.
Classes combine essential sailing theory with active learning aboard a Catalina 30. You will practice sail handling, steering, docking, safety procedures, navigation and crew communication with an experienced instructor beside you.
Choose your next sailing certification.
Start with the fundamentals or continue toward coastal cruising, bareboat chartering and navigation.
Basic Keelboat Sailing
$545Learn sail theory, terminology, safety, points of sail, right-of-way rules and man-overboard recovery aboard a 30-foot keelboat. No previous experience required.
View ASA 101 details →
Coastal Cruising
$595Develop coastal cruising skills, including boat systems, auxiliary engines, safety equipment, weather, heavy-weather preparation and basic navigation.
View ASA 103 details →
ASA 101 + ASA 103
$1,100Combine basic keelboat and coastal cruising certification in an intensive course. This option is best for students who already have some sailing knowledge and practical skills.
Ask about the combination class →
Bareboat Cruising
$1,250Build the planning, navigation, boat-systems and seamanship skills needed to skipper a cruising sailboat on a multi-day voyage and prepare for future bareboat charters.
View ASA 104 details →
Coastal Navigation
$419Study nautical charts, government publications, bearings, fixes, running fixes, dead reckoning, tides, currents, set and drift through focused navigation instruction.
View ASA 105 details →Private Sailing Lessons
CustomArrange private instruction for additional practice, sailing refreshers or specific skills such as docking, sail trim, anchoring and crew coordination.
Request private instruction →From first sail to bareboat skipper.
Each course builds on the knowledge and practical skills developed in the previous level.
Learn the basics
Begin with ASA 101 and become comfortable handling a keelboat.
Cruise with confidence
Advance to ASA 103 and learn the systems and skills of coastal cruising.
Prepare to charter
Complete ASA 104 and develop multi-day bareboat cruising competence.
Master navigation
Add ASA 105 to strengthen your traditional coastal navigation skills.
A sailing school built around real experience.
Experienced instructors
Learn from American Sailing certified instructors and US Coast Guard-licensed captains.
Small-group learning
Classes are limited to five students so everyone can practice and participate.
On-water instruction
Build practical skills aboard a 30-foot sailboat, not only in a classroom.
Progressive certifications
Follow a clear pathway from beginner sailing through coastal navigation and bareboat cruising.
Local practice opportunities
Continue developing your skills on Lake St. Clair through practice and additional instruction.
Flexible scheduling
Ask about weekday dates, private lessons and accommodations for out-of-town students.
Learn on beautiful Lake St. Clair.
Our sailing classes are based at Lambrecht Marina in Harrison Township—convenient to Detroit and communities throughout Macomb and Oakland counties.
Planning your sailing class.
Contact us if you need help choosing the right certification level or scheduling your course.
Ask a QuestionNo. ASA 101 is designed for beginners and does not require previous sailing experience.
On-water classes are held aboard a sailboat on Lake St. Clair from Lambrecht Marina in Harrison Township, Michigan.
We offer ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing, ASA 103 Coastal Cruising, ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising and online ASA 105 Coastal Navigation.
Classes typically require at least three students and are limited to five students, giving everyone meaningful hands-on time.
Our on-water training season generally runs from May through October. Weekday and private scheduling options may be available by request.
Required textbooks may be purchased separately for some courses. Review the course details or contact the school for the current book requirement before class.
Find your American Sailing class in Michigan.
Whether you are a complete beginner or preparing for your next bareboat charter, we will help you choose the right course and get more confident on the water.
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