Sailing School
At Norton Yachts, boating isn’t just an activity–it’s a lifestyle that we want our customers to fully embrace. Whether you’re a beginner or you want to advance your sailing skills, Norton Yachts’ Sailing School can help you get your sailing adventures started.
Our sailing courses are certified by the American Sailing Association (ASA), the oldest and best sailing curriculum in the world. No, really–as an American Sailing Association (ASA) affiliated sailing school, Norton Yachts can grant you credentials that are recognized internationally, allowing you to have adventures on the Eastern shore and beyond.
Sailing School Chesapeake Bay
At Norton, we believe students learn best when 90% of the instruction is on the water, which is why with our sailing courses, you’ll learn to sail on the water with an American Sailing Association-certified instructor in your very first course. We are one of the few sailing schools that also have a charter fleet available at our marina, so if you’re looking for tailored and private instruction from one of our ASA-certified captains but don’t have your boat yet, don't worry! However, if you do have your boat, we’re more than happy to take you on the water for a day of private sailing instruction.
Norton’s sailing academy teaches on late model Hunter or Jeanneau sailboats with a range of 28-36 feet, so you’ll become familiar with modern boat systems. At our sailing school, our practice-based sailing courses will have you championing the Atlantic Ocean and inland waters like an experienced sailor in no time. From weekend basic sailing lessons to weeklong advanced coastal cruising, sailing school at Norton Yachts will have you immersed in a fantastic experience.
Here’s a concise table showing all of our courses (as well as links to their respective pages), but we dig deeper into each of them below!
Basics | Combo | Special |
Sailing Courses for Beginners
If you’re just starting, Norton offers a handful of sailing courses perfect to get you started with the basics. Learn how to safely navigate a basic keelboat, navigational theory, marine systems, coastal navigation, sailing in different sea conditions, basic docking skills, and more. The completion of each course grants ASA certification, allowing you to charter a boat from anywhere in the world.
ASA 101 - Basic Keelboat Sailing
Learn to sail in one weekend with our ASA 101 course! This course covers everything you’ll need to know to get started on coastal or inland waters. You’ll learn the terminology, maneuvers and points of sail, coastal navigation, and how to safely act in emergencies. With ASA 101 at Norton Yachts, you’ll learn basic keelboat sailing in an efficient manner with an advanced sailor in the familiar waters of the Chesapeake.
ASA 103 - Basic Coastal Cruising
Learn basic coastal cruising in just 2 days with our ASA 103 course! Build upon your sailing experience from ASA 101 to learn how to sail in coastal waters with moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn basic coastal navigation, how to cruise safely in light, moderate, and heavy winds, how to predict and prepare for various weather conditions, and more. Norton’s sailing school will give you the cruising experience you need to sail in moderate winds and sea conditions with confidence.
Sailing Courses for Experienced Sailors
Norton also offers plenty of advanced sailing courses for experienced sailors who want to challenge themselves and strengthen their sailing abilities. With Norton, the possibilities for learning include sailing on a multi-day cruise with a certified instructor and your own crew, making our cruising courses a truly immersive experience.
ASA 118 - Docking Endorsement
You’ll have learned basic docking skills in ASA 101 but Norton’s ASA 118 Docking Endorsement course takes it to the next level to help you become a master of the dock! Learn how to dock and undock boats in all kinds of scenarios in inland or coastal waters. Steering controls, docking maneuvers, advanced auxiliary power theory, and crew procedures are just some of the many topics covered in this course. Over 2 days, you’ll get plenty of hands-on practice out on the water.
ASA 106 - Advanced Coastal Cruising
Immerse yourself in an experience like no other with Norton Yachts’ ocean training cruises! Norton is excited to offer ASA 106 - Advanced Coastal Cruising for groups who want to learn to sail in a live-aboard environment. With Norton Yachts, you’ll learn advanced skills in captaining a 30-50 foot sailing vessel over 6 days, with an American Sailing Association certified instructor and classmates as your crew. Learn heavy-weather sailing, seamanship, boat maintenance, and advanced coastal cruising skills such as coastal passage-making and night sailing.
Bundle ASA Courses at Norton
If you’d love to take multiple ASA certification courses in a week or less, then Norton Yachts has got you covered with our bundle course options! Sail with an experienced instructor in familiar waters and go from the basics to advanced in no time.
ASA 101/103/104 - Basics to Bareboat Course
This comprehensive course bundle is perfect to help you get the basics of how to sail locked down. Norton Yachts’ Basics to Bareboat course prepares you and a partner to skipper a mid-size sailboat on a 6-day cruise in one of our very own Jeanneau models. By the end, you’ll be able to sail with confidence and gain 3 ASA certifications!
ASA 101/103 Combo Course
Learn to sail in just 4 days with Norton Yachts’ ASA 101/103 Combo course! For those who would love to learn how to sail but can’t spend 6 consecutive days on the water, this 30-hour combo course can be taken from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for 4 days or throughout 2 weekends. Learn how to sail on your own, gain 2 ASA certifications, and be ready to charter a boat from Norton’s upon completion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Norton’s Sailing School in the Chesapeake Bay
Is Chesapeake Bay good for sailing?
Sailing is a quintessential Chesapeake experience. Full of quiet coves and naturally beautiful areas sailors can explore by boat, learning to sail in the Chesapeake with the wind sweeping over you and the sun kissing your face is an experience Norton Yachts is proud to offer its students.
Is 50 too old to learn how to sail?
Norton believes it’s never too late to learn how to sail! No matter your age, sailing is a lifestyle that brings endless amounts of joy, fun, and serenity. Why waste time worrying if you’re too old when in no time at all, Norton Yachts’ Sailing School will show you how to enjoy it?
How many hours does it take to learn to sail?
Depending on the course you take, you can learn to sail in just one or two days. Norton Yachts’ sailing school has a maximum of 4 students per class, allowing you plenty of personal time with our instructors to learn hands-on.