Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our sailing school, classes, and what to expect during your sailing journey with us. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced sailor, we aim to provide all the information you need to make the most of your experience and feel confident in choosing our school for your sailing education. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Our fundamentals classes, ASA 101 and 103, lessons are conducted on the beautiful waters of Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. This location offers excellent conditions for both beginners and advanced sailors. All of our advanced sailing classes, 104, 114, and 106, are conducted during our 7 - 10 day adventure learning vacations in locations throughout the world. Check out the sailing lessons page for details.

No prior experience is required for our ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat Sailing) classes. We welcome students of all skill levels and will guide you through the process from beginner to advanced. We offer an Introduction to Sailing class that you may find helpful before starting your Level 1 ASA 101 training. Please contact us for scheduling and details.

Upon successful completion of our classes, you will receive certifications from American Sailing (ASA), which are recognized worldwide. These certifications validate your skills and knowledge, allowing you to rent and charter boats globally based upon the experience on your sailing resume.

Our sailing school stands out by offering a unique blend of online and in-person on-the-water training, providing flexibility for students to learn at their own pace and ensuring a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of sailing.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to building real-world experience on your sailing resume, rather than just stamping logbooks or handing out certifications. Our OS Sailing Pathways curriculum extends beyond the core ASA courses, starting with smaller classes on larger boats. This approach makes the transition from ASA 103 to 104 safer and more natural, allowing students to gain confidence and hands-on experience with more complex systems.
Our focus is on ensuring you have substantial, qualifying days of sailing experience, which significantly enhances your skills and readiness for real-world sailing challenges. We believe in creating competent, confident sailors who are not just certified but truly prepared to navigate and enjoy their sailing adventures. Join us to build a robust sailing resume that reflects genuine experience and expertise.

Taking ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat Sailing) and ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising) back to back or as a combo class may seem efficient, but there are several reasons why it's beneficial to take them separately with some time in between:
  • Skill Reinforcement: ASA 101 provides foundational sailing skills that are essential for more advanced classes. Taking some time to practice and reinforce these skills on your own or through additional sailing experiences can greatly enhance your confidence and proficiency.
  • Experience Building: Sailing is as much about gaining practical experience as it is about learning theory. Time between classes allows you to get comfortable with the basics, troubleshoot any challenges, and build a solid foundation before moving on to more complex techniques in ASA 103.
  • Absorption of Knowledge: Sailing involves a lot of new information, from terminology to practical skills. Allowing yourself time to fully absorb and understand the material from ASA 101 before diving into ASA 103 ensures a more thorough and enjoyable learning experience.
  • Progressive Learning: Each ASA class is designed to build on the previous one. By spacing out your classes, you allow for a natural progression in your learning journey, making it easier to grasp and retain more advanced concepts and skills introduced in ASA 103.
  • Confidence Boost: Completing ASA 101 and spending time sailing independently helps boost your confidence on the water. This confidence is crucial when you start tackling the more advanced skills and navigation techniques covered in ASA 103.
For these reasons, we require taking time to practice and build your sailing experience after completing ASA 101 before moving on to ASA 103. This approach will help you get the most out of your sailing education and ensure a strong, confident foundation for your future sailing adventures. Check out the OS Sailing Pathways curriculum for more detailed information.

Safety is our top priority. Our instructors are certified and experienced, and we ensure that all our boats are equipped with necessary safety gear. We also provide a comprehensive safety briefing before each lesson.

You can easily book a lesson through on our sailing lessons page. Simply select the class and day you are interested in, and complete the registration process online.

The cost varies depending on the classes level and duration. Please visit our pricing page for detailed information on each class.

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing suitable for the weather, non-slip shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Once you register, our online app will provide you all the information to prepare you for your on the water training.

Yes, we have a flexible cancellation policy. If you need to cancel or reschedule your lesson, please contact us at least 21 days in advance to reschedule without any penalty.

While sailing does require some physical activity, our classes are designed to be accessible to people of various fitness levels. We teach techniques to handle the boat with minimal strain. If you have specific concerns, please let us know so we can accommodate your needs.

Safety is our priority, and we closely monitor weather conditions. If the weather is not suitable for sailing, we will reschedule your lesson at no extra cost. We aim to provide the best learning experience in safe conditions.

Yes, we offer private lessons tailored to your individual needs and schedule. Private lessons provide personalized instruction and can be a great way to advance your skills quickly.

Our instructors are highly experienced and certified by American Sailing. They bring years of sailing and teaching experience, ensuring you receive the best education and guidance.

We welcome students of all ages. For younger students, we recommend they be at least 15 years old and accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Yes, we provide electronic study materials and resources to help you prepare for your class. Upon registration, you will receive access to online materials and where to purchase the textbook for the class to get you started. Our app guides you through every step.

Check out the boats page for detailed information. For our fundamentals classes, we use our full sized cruising boats like our Catalina 310 and our Hunter 28, while more advanced classes are taught during our adventure learning vacations aboard 40' - 50' cruising monohulls and catamarans.

The duration of each class varies. For example, ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing takes 8 - 10 hours of self study plus 2 days on the water training. More advanced classes like ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising we teach on 7 - 10 day liveaboard adventure learning vacations. Check our sailing lessons for detailed information.

Yes, we can provide recommendations for local accommodations near Lake Travis. Some options may offer discounts for our students. We may also be able to let you sleep aboard one of our boats at the marina. Contact us for more information and assistance with your travel plans.

We maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio to ensure personalized attention and a high-quality learning experience. For our ASA 101 and 103 classes, we have no more than 3 students per instructor during on-the-water training.

Yes, we think this is critical and where most instructors and schools let their students down. We offer multiple sailing programs including our community sailing events on Lake Travis, adventure learning vacations, and organized flotillas within the Outbound Sailing Alumni. Outbound Sailing Club Members also have bareboat time to build their sailing skills on Outbound Sailing Boats (Level III Alumni / one time checkout required).

Our goal is to ensure you feel confident and competent in your sailing abilities. If you don't pass the class on your first try, we offer a reasonable amount of additional coaching free of charge until your instructor feels confident and signs you off.

All Outbound Sailing students become lifelong alumni at no extra charge. We value the connections formed with and among our students. Alumni enjoy access to local sailing events, adventure learning vacations, and organized flotillas. The best way to stay connected is to become an Alumni!
We hope these FAQs have provided the information you need to feel confident in choosing our sailing school. If you have any further questions or need additional details, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help you embark on a rewarding and enjoyable sailing journey. Thank you for considering Outbound Sailing, and we look forward to welcoming you on board!