Lake St. Clair Sailing School: Official Program Catalog
1.0 Introduction: Your Journey into Sailing Starts Here
Whether you dream of chartering a sailboat in the Caribbean, purchasing your own boat for new adventures, or turning a passion for the water into a professional career, your journey begins with the right education. The mission of Lake St. Clair Sailing School is to help you achieve those dreams by providing comprehensive, personalized, and fun sailing instruction. We are dedicated to transforming aspiring mariners into skilled sailors, one course at a time.
Our core value proposition is simple: to provide sailors of all experience levels with the opportunity to become more competent and confident in their abilities. We achieve this through high-quality, hands-on training delivered by our team of American Sailing Association (ASA) Certified instructors. Every lesson is designed to be practical, safety-focused, and tailored to help you succeed on the water.
This catalog outlines the structured certification pathways and diverse sailing opportunities we offer to guide you from novice to expert.
2.0 The ASA Certification Pathway: From Novice to Confident Sailor
The American Sailing Association (ASA) provides the industry’s most comprehensive and internationally recognized set of standards for sailing education. Earning an ASA certification is your passport to the world’s waterways, giving you a proven way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to charter fleets and rental companies worldwide. This commitment to professional standards ensures that every certified sailor is prepared for safe and competent sailing.
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ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Sailing
- Objective: This foundational course equips students with the fundamental skills required to sail keelboats up to 30 feet. The curriculum covers essential sail theory, maritime terminology, on-water safety procedures, basic chart work, rules of the road, and critical man overboard recovery drills.
- Format:
| Feature | Details |
| Price | $545 |
| Schedule | A Two-Day Class From 10am – 4pm |
| Prerequisites | None. No previous experience is required. |
| Required Reading | “Sailing Made Easy” book. Note that booking at least two weeks in advance is required to allow time for reading. Once you book, the manager will send you a link for an online detailed course and a book. |
| Instruction Method | All instruction is hands-on and conducted aboard the boat. |
| Certification | Successful completion earns ASA 101 certification. |
ASA 103: Coastal Cruising
- Objective: This course builds upon the ASA 101 foundation, teaching the fundamentals of coastal cruising on an auxiliary sailing yacht during daylight hours. Subjects include federal and state required equipment, engine operation and basic troubleshooting, weather observation, heavy weather tactics, and basic navigation.
- Format:
| Feature | Details |
| Price | $595 |
| Schedule | A Two-Day Class From 9am – 5pm |
| Prerequisites | ASA 101 Certification |
| Required Reading | “Coastal Sailing Made Easy” |
| Instruction Method | On-board instruction with a written exam. |
| Certification | Successful completion earns ASA 103 certification. |
ASA 101 & 103 Combination Class
- Objective: Designed for students seeking an accelerated path to charter-ready skills, this intensive combination course covers all the material from both Basic Keelboat Sailing and Coastal Cruising. Students will learn everything from sail theory and man overboard drills to basic navigation and engine troubleshooting in a comprehensive two-day format.
- Format:
| Feature | Details |
| Price | $1100 |
| Schedule | A Two-Day Class From 9am – 5pm |
| Prerequisites | None. Designed as a comprehensive entry point. |
| Instruction Method | All instruction is aboard the boat, followed by a written exam. |
| Certification | Successful completion earns both ASA 101 and ASA 103 certifications. |
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With these foundational certifications, you will have the confidence and credentials to begin sailing independently. However, true mastery comes with practice, which is why we offer dedicated programs for continuous skill development.
3.0 Skill Refinement and Practice
Earning your certification is a significant milestone, but consistent time on the water is critical for retaining skills and building true command of a vessel. Our skill refinement programs are the critical next step, providing recent graduates and returning sailors with the hands-on practice needed to stay sharp and confident at the helm.
Student Sailing Practice
- Objective: This program is a dedicated, hands-on training session for ASA 101 graduates who want to take their skills to the next level. It provides an opportunity to reinforce and master key maneuvers in a supportive, small-group environment.
- Details:
- Master key maneuvers including tacking, jibing, and man overboard recovery.
- Build confidence and control on the water through repetition and practice.
- Train in small groups to ensure real-time feedback and teamwork.
- Schedule: Sessions run every Friday from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Sailing Refresher Course
- Objective: This course is the ideal solution for certified sailors who have spent time away from the water and feel their skills could use some polishing. It allows you to rejoin a structured class to refresh your knowledge and rebuild your confidence.
- Details: Students can join any class of their choice at a 50% discount, providing a cost-effective way to get back up to speed with the curriculum and practical skills.
- Call to Action: To reserve your spot, please contact Captain Rene at lscsailing@gmail.com. She will help you get booked and back on the water in no time.
These programs are perfect for honing your recreational sailing abilities, but for those with professional ambitions, we offer a direct path to a maritime career.
4.0 Professional Mariner Program: USCG Captain’s License
For those looking to transform their passion for boating into a profitable career or simply become a safer, more knowledgeable boater, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Captain’s License is the definitive professional credential. Our USCG-approved online courses provide the comprehensive training and materials you need to master the material and successfully earn your license.
The following online courses and exams are available:
- OUPV/Six-Pack Captain’s License – Online Course and Exam
- 25/50 or 100-Ton Master Captain’s License – Online Course and Exam
- OUPV/Six-Pack Upgrade to 25/50 or 100-Ton Master Captain’s License – Online Course and Exam
License Endorsements
Enhance your professional license with specialized endorsements for either Towing or Sailing.
With a curriculum trusted by over 200,000 students, our Captain’s License program is the definitive first step in your professional journey. For those ready to master even more advanced domains, we offer a suite of specialized online courses.
5.0 Advanced & Specialized Online Learning
For experienced sailors who wish to master advanced disciplines, we offer a suite of ASA-approved online courses. These programs are ideal for expanding your knowledge in specialized topics like celestial navigation, marine weather, or radar operation, especially when seasonal or geographic constraints make on-water classes inaccessible.
| Course Number & Title | Focus Area |
| ASA 105 Coastal Navigation | Mastering near-shore navigation techniques. |
| ASA 107 Celestial Navigation | Learning to navigate using the stars and celestial bodies. |
| ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement | Earning a specialized endorsement in celestial navigation. |
| ASA 119 Marine Weather Endorsement | Developing expertise in marine weather patterns and forecasting. |
| ASA 120 Radar Endorsement | Gaining proficiency in the use of marine radar systems. |
Mastering these advanced topics provides the deep confidence needed for any challenge on the open water—and for those moments when you simply want to share the joy of sailing with others, our private charters await.
6.0 Private Sailing Charters & Experiences on Lake St. Clair
For those who wish to experience the joy of sailing on Lake St. Clair without the commitment of a full course, we offer private charters. Led by our experienced and knowledgeable crew, these excursions provide a perfect opportunity to relax with friends and family, celebrate a special moment, or simply enjoy the beauty of the outdoors from the water.
We offer several distinct charter experiences:
- Sunset Sailing: Set sail aboard one of our Catalina Sailboats for an unforgettable evening. This is the perfect date idea and one of the most romantic activities in the Metro Detroit area.
- Day Sailing: Whether you want to practice your skills or simply enjoy a beautiful day on the lake, our day sails offer the flexibility to get on the water with friends and family.
- Moonrise Sailing: We specialize in providing this unique and memorable experience, taking you onto Lake St. Clair to witness the magic of a full moonrise from the deck of a sailboat.
Celebrate Your Special Occasions
Our private charters are the perfect venue for your next celebration. We can be booked for a variety of special events, including:
- Photoshoots
- Marriage proposals
- Anniversaries
- Birthdays
- Graduations
- Mother’s Day & Father’s Day celebrations
While a beautiful sunset on Lake St. Clair is an unforgettable experience, some horizons demand to be explored. For the ultimate sailing adventure, we offer a signature international expedition.
7.0 Signature Expedition: British Virgin Islands Catamaran Trip
Join us for a premier, bucket-list sailing adventure in the stunning British Virgin Islands. This exclusive trip is the ultimate vacation, combining the thrill of blue-water sailing on a modern catamaran with the opportunity to earn advanced ASA certifications in a world-class cruising ground.
| Feature | Details |
| Destination | British Virgin Islands (BVI) |
| Dates | December 27th to January 2nd |
| Departure Marina | Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, BVI |
| Pricing | Starting at $3600 Per Couple in one Cabin |
| Optional Certifications | ASA 103, ASA 104, or ASA 114 (available for an additional fee) |
| Contact for Interest | Email Captain Rene or call 586-770-2518 |
This unforgettable expedition is made possible by the same commitment to quality and professionalism that defines all of our programs.
8.0 Our Commitment to Excellence & Student Success
As an official affiliate of the American Sailing Association, Lake St. Clair Sailing School meets rigorous, internationally recognized standards of excellence. Our curriculum and instructors are dedicated to providing safety-focused, practical, and high-quality sailing education. We are committed to helping every student learn faster, learn more, and have more fun on the water.
What Our Sailors Say
I recently had the best experience completing ASA 101 with Captain Ranam. She is highly knowledgeable and experienced. She instructs clearly and confidently. Make sure you do your part to prepare properly by reading the required text and practicing your knots prior to class. Then, you can spend more time gaining practical experience on the boat. I highly recommend Lake St. Clair Sailing School and would come back again in a heartbeat! Thanks again!
— KH Sailing Student
Lake St. Clair Sailing School and Captain Joe Bowers provide sailing education that is safety-focused, practical, all around high-quality, and that worked around my schedule and the weather. Capt. Joe is very experienced, knowledgeable, interesting person, and a great teacher. I would recommend the sailing school to others and I plan to return for more. Thank you
— Craig Student
I had a great time in ASA101/103. Big learning curve, but Capt Ranam did a great job with the lessons, including going back and spending extra time on areas need extra attention. There was plenty of hands-on at all the different stations; mainsheet/traveller, both jib sheets, helm, mast/sails, etc. I learned a lot and am looking forward to ASA104 next year.
— Robert Student
We invite you to begin your own sailing journey with us and discover the confidence and competence that comes from a world-class sailing education.
9.0 Enrollment & Contact Information
Ready to set sail? Contact us today to book a course, reserve a charter, or learn more about our programs.
- Phone: (586) 770-2518
- General Inquiries: lscsailingschool@gmail.com
- Refresher Course Booking: lscsailing@gmail.com (Captain Rene)
- Business Hours:
- M-F 6:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Sat-Sun 9:00 am – 9:00 PM
- Gift Cards: Gift cards are available for purchase and make the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or birthdays.
- Booking Note: The School Manager will be unable to answer phone calls from September 20th to September 27th. However, we will be available to answer email inquiries at lscsailingschool@gmail.com during that time.
