Sailing Lessons

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ASA 101 Students

ASA Sailing School in Austin, TX

As an accredited ASA Sailing School located in Austin, TX, we offer a comprehensive range of sailing classes from beginner to advanced levels, including ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, and 114. Our experienced instructors are dedicated to providing top-notch sailing education in a supportive and engaging environment.
Our base of operations is from Sail and Ski Marina on Lake Travis. We offer sailing classes year round on Lake Travis and multiple other destinations worldwide.

A Path to Independence

Sailing lessons specifically designed to build the confidence to bareboat charter, sail, or cruise on your own.
We don’t just offer sailing lessons. We offer our students and alumni pathways to building the experience and confidence necessary to safely bareboat charter, sail, or cruise on their own. We help students who have never been around boats before all the way to teaching the advanced seamanship necessary to safely complete ocean passages and blue water cruising.
To learn how we have incorporated and extended the American Sailing curriculum into a complete individual learning plan, please read our sailing pathways article. No matter your skill level, you may use our sailing pathways as a roadmap to your sailing independence.
Adventure Learning Vacation Students
Adventure Learning Vacation At Anchor

Build Real-World Sailing Experience

Many schools sign your logbook, wish you luck, and leave you stranded. We know the key to becoming a skilled sailor is continued practice beyond certification. That’s why we offer multiple sailing programs, with and without coaching, designed to help you build experience and confidence on the water.
Beyond our ASA classes, we offer community sailing events, customizable refresher classes, adventure learning vacations, private charter vacations, and alumni flotillas. Paired with boat memberships, these events create a safe, fun environment for students and alumni to keep building their sailing skills. When your goal is to sail confidently and safely on your own, you need more than just a class or certification.
Our goal isn’t to issue as many certifications as possible. We focus on providing opportunities for our alumni to gain the experience and confidence needed to sail independently.

Pricing

Class Price Length Location
Introduction to Sailing $395 3 hours on the water Lake Travis, TX
ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing $725 Self study + 2 days on the water Lake Travis, TX
ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising $750 Self study + 2 days on the water Lake Travis, TX
ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising $825 + Trip Costs Adventure Learning Vacation 7 - 10 days liveaboard Destinations Worldwide
ASA 105 Advanced Navigation $750 Self study + Sat & Sun classroom (8 hours each day) Lakeway, TX
ASA 106 Advanced Cruising & Seamanship $995 + Trip Costs Adventure Learning Vacation 7 - 10 days liveaboard Destinations Worldwide
ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran $495 + Trip Costs Adventure Learning Vacation 7 - 10 days liveaboard Destinations Worldwide
Plus Materials: ASA 101 – $59 ASA fee plus $30.00 textbook | ASA 103 thru AS 114 – $15 ASA fee plus ~$35 textbook
Pricing is per student for group classes. ASA 101 / 103 are a maximum of 3 students per class. If you would prefer private instruction, please contact us.

Class Schedules

The calendar shows when each class is offered and the number of spaces currently available. Tap on a class to register. Classes grayed out are full.
ASA 101 / 103 classes run from 10a - 5p and limited to a maximum of 3 students. A minimum of 2 students required to form a class.
Please contact us with questions or specific scheduling needs.

Class Overviews

Tap a class name below for a detailed class description.
Sailing fundamentals classes, part of our ASA Sailing School curriculum, are taught at our home base location on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas. We use our full sized cruising boats like our Catalina 310 and Hunter 28 for these classes to ensure you gain the experience with the systems you will be using on larger vessels in our advanced classes.
Our Introduction to Sailing class is a great place to start if you have never been around boats before or are unsure about investing in one of our American Sailing curriculum certifications. There is no self study, textbook, online class, preparation, or exam required. You can just come and enjoy sailing for a few hours. Contact us to book this class.
Our ASA 101 and 103 classes are designed to get you ready for our advanced sailing classes and progress you through Level II in our sailing pathways curriculum.
The knowledge and theory portion of the class is a combination of a textbook and online self study materials that you complete at your own pace from the comfort of your home. We provide online live instructor hours to help along the way. There is a written proctored exam consisting of 100 multiple choice questions that you must score at least 80% to pass.
The on the water training is two days - we spend most of our time on the water underway. These sessions are typically held on back to back days during the week (Tue / Wed) or on the weekend (Sat / Sun). We also offer Friday classes for back to back weeks. For example, you can sign up for two Friday classes on the 1st and 2nd Friday of the month.
ASA 101 and 103 classes start at 9:00a sharp, and we are typically finished at 4:00p.
ASA 101 and ASA 103 classes cost $725.
Tap a class name below for a detailed class description.
All of our advanced sailing classes, part of our ASA Sailing School curriculum, are taught during our liveaboard 7-10 day adventure learning vacations. We bareboat charter monohulls or catamarans up to 50’ in length in various locations around the world including: U.S., British, and Spanish Virgin Islands; Bahamas; St. Vincent / Grenadines; Greece; Croatia; Tahiti; New Zealand; and Australia.
These classes are scheduled six to eight months in advance. The cost of the charter boat, meals prepared aboard, instructor, and associated cruising/mooring fees during the trip are included in the price. Each cabin must have at least one student enrolled in one of our advanced sailing classes (104, 114, or 106). In order to qualify to take ASA 106 with us you must have completed our ASA 105 Advanced Navigation class before departure. If you have already completed ASA 105 at another school, please contact us.
The cost of the adventure vacations vary by season and destination but typically start from $4,500 per cabin for monohulls and $5,500 per cabin for catamarans and fill up quickly. Maximum of two people per cabin. One cabin is dedicated for the instructor.
Outbound Sailing Skipper Club members have early access to booking before opportunities are opened for all OS Alumni.
To qualify, you must at a minimum have completed Level II from our sailing pathways curriculum one week before departure.
Tap a class name below for a detailed class description.
This class is taught two to three times per year in an in person classroom environment in Lakeway, Texas over a Saturday and Sunday. As is with all of our ASA Sailing School curriculum, this class goes beyond the ASA standard and includes electronic navigation tools using Captain Tim Taylor’s Practical Navigation and Tom Tursi's Coastal Navigation Solutions Workbook as class and study materials.
To sign up for this class please contact us. This class costs $750 per student.

What Other Sailors Have To Say

Read Over 100 5-Star Reviews From Google, Yelp, and Facebook

I had taken a class to be certified and had a great time learning from John. The hands on learning and knowledge of the team made it a great experience. Please consider this sailing company as your next opporutnity to expand your skills.

Tino Angadicheril 01/02/25 via Google Reviews

Thanks Scott for giving me the confidence to get my own sailboat and to start sailing adventures with my family!

kmskalko 12/23/24 via Google Reviews

Outbound is outstanding! If you’re a bit intimidated and overwhelmed by the prospect of learning to sail, don’t be! I’ve now taken two classes there. Jason, the instructor, is very knowledgeable and patient and really enjoys sharing his passion for sailing with others. The classes are very well organized to make learning the material easy and logical with practical sailing exercises on larger monohull boats, not dinghies, that will build your competence and confidence fast. Best of all they introduce you to the culture of sailing which is very inclusive and welcoming to newcomers. They have very affordable rates including regular Community Sails after the class to get your experience and keep your new skills sharp. Highly recommended.

Steven Kling 12/12/24 via Google Reviews
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Boats

Most sailing schools will start you out on a smaller boat typically 20' - 25' in length. These boats will have a tiller steering system and basic if any other systems. The curriculum for ASA 101 is designed to help you learn to skipper these class of vessels between 20 - 27 feet. Boats of this size are great for learning the basics of sailing, but they lack systems such as a wheel, an inboard diesel engine, and onboard navigation instruments.
All our ASA 101 and 103 classes are aboard full sized cruising boats like our Catalina 310 and Hunter 28. Both are capable weekend cruisers which means they have all the systems you will encounter on larger charter boats. We think it's important to build experience and confidence aboard a similar sized vessel (and with the same systems) you want to be able to get out on your own. Learning and practicing aboard our larger sized vessels helps you build your sailing resume enabling you to bareboat charter on your own vacations in the future.
Boomerang - Sailing Lessons
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Class Sizes

Boomerang Cockpit w/Students
Many schools not only teach on smaller boats, but they will cram you on these smaller boats with four other students and the instructor. Not only is this not an enjoyable experience, but you won’t get enough time practicing skills during your class with so many students aboard.
We limit our ASA 101 and 103 class size to three students plus your instructor. Doing this and teaching aboard our full sized cruising boats, you are always in the action. If you are not logging time at the helm, you are responsible for one or more sheets and sail trimming. The time you spend aboard is active time practicing the various skills required to build your confidence as a sailor and skipper.
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Locations / Destinations

Lake Travis, Texas

Located in beautiful Lakeway and close to iconic Austin, Texas.
Beautiful Lake Travis is an ideal place to learn, practice, and enjoy sailing. Even when the lake level is down nearly 50’ most of the lake is easily accessible for sailing with many areas that are still 100’ deep!
Lake Travis is also known (infamous) for the shifty winds that keep you on your toes. This environment allows you to learn faster than other environments where the winds are consistently in the same direction and speed. No matter your skill level, the time of year, or if in light or heavy winds, sailing on Lake Travis will always test and improve your skills.
Our home base location in central Texas gives us year round sailing conditions. Sail on the 4th of July or Christmas Day!
Lake Travis
British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands

Adventure Learning Vacation classes in the British Virgin Islands.
Widely regarded as one of the best sailing destinations in the world, making them an ideal location for a bareboat charter. With over 60 islands and cays to explore, each offering its unique charm and beauty, the BVI provide endless opportunities for adventure. The consistent trade winds and calm seas create perfect sailing conditions for both beginners and seasoned sailors. Iconic spots like the Baths on Virgin Gorda, the famous Willy T floating bar, and the tranquil anchorages at Jost Van Dyke ensure that your sailing itinerary will be filled with breathtaking sights and unforgettable experiences.

Bahamas

Adventure Learning Vacation classes or Charter Vacations in the Bahamas.
The Bahamas is an extraordinary destination for bareboat chartering, offering sailors a paradise of clear turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and diverse marine life. With over 700 islands and cays to explore, each with its unique character, the Bahamas provides an expansive and varied sailing experience. The Exumas, in particular, are a favorite among sailors, featuring stunning anchorages like Staniel Cay and Warderick Wells. Here, you can snorkel in the vibrant coral reefs, swim with nurse sharks, and visit the famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay. The shallow, protected waters and consistent easterly trade winds make the Bahamas an accessible and enjoyable sailing destination for sailors of all skill levels.
Bahamas
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OS Alumni Benefits

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.
OS Alumni Charter Club
This club offers students who have completed ASA 101 and participated in community sailing the chance to rent a cruising sailboat. Certain restrictions apply, such as no night sailing, single-handing, or docking at restaurants. The focus is on getting out on the water to practice your sailing skills.
First two hours cost $100, with the option to add two-hour blocks for $50 each. This is the most affordable way to practice real-world sailing skills on a cruising boat around Lake Travis.
OS Alumni Skipper's Club
For our more active alumni, the Outbound Sailing Alumni Skipper's Club Membership provides the following added benefits:
  • Six hours per month bareboat time to build your sailing skills on a full sized cruising boat (Level II Alumni / one time checkout required).
  • Invitations to join upcoming classes that need additional students for a refresher or just to build experience and resume time.
  • Unlimited free access to Outbound Sailing community sailing events. Outbound Sailing Alumni pay $25 per event.
The cost of the OS Alumni Skipper's Club is $1,800 / year. Enjoy the sailing lifestyle with the Outbound Sailing Community on Lake Travis and destinations worldwide. Contact us to learn more about our available membership opportunities.
Outbound Sailing

About Us

For over 15 years, we have been an ASA-certified sailing school in Austin, TX, committed to delivering high-quality sailing education. Our classes offer both foundational and advanced skills for all levels of sailing enthusiasts.
We emphasize the importance of continued on-the-water practice after certification. To support this, we provide a variety of sailing programs, including community sailing events, adventure learning vacations, and alumni flotillas. These programs are designed to create a safe and fun environment where students and alumni can enhance their skills, gain experience, and build confidence on the water.
To learn more about the dedicated team behind our exceptional sailing programs, please visit our Meet the Team page.
American Sailing (ASA)

About American Sailing

American Sailing (ASA) has been in operation for more than 40 years. With over 400 sailing schools worldwide and more than half a million certified students, it is the largest and most widely recognized sailing certification body in the world.
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