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Two days of hands-on dinghy sailing on Catalina 12.5s and 16.5s that combine evening Zoom lessons with weekend on-water practice. Ideal for teens and adults wanting quick, practical progress toward ASA certification and confident small-boat handling.
Two days of hands-on dinghy sailing on Catalina 12.5s and 16.5s that combine evening Zoom lessons with weekend on-water practice. Ideal for teens and adults wanting quick, practical progress toward ASA certification and confident small-boat handling.
Book with Sail Nashville
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Operated by Sail Nashville · Nashville, Tennessee
On the water just beyond downtown Nashville, Tennessee, ASA 110 Basic Small Boat Sailing is a concentrated two-day course that turns curious beginners into confident dinghy sailors. Taught on Catalina 12.5 and 16.5 one-design dinghies, the class blends evening Zoom theory with long on-the-water drills, covering sail trim, tacks and jibes, docking, safety, and basic racing techniques. The setting is Nashville, Tennessee, and while the exact launch site varies with scheduling, the program focuses on skills that translate to any freshwater lake or calm river shoreline near the city.
What makes this course stand out is its focus on hands-on repetition in small groups—classes cap at four—so every student gets helm time and immediate instructor feedback. Catalina 12.5s introduce younger sailors (13+) to responsive single-sail handling, while the 16.5s let older teens and adults practice more powerful rigs and crew coordination. Expect classroom evenings by Zoom followed by a full weekend of afloat training where you’ll practice points of sail, capsizing recovery, man-overboard, wing-on-wing runs, heaving to, and precise dock approaches.
The natural elements that shape each session are simple but exacting: close-quarters wind shifts around shoreline trees, gusts funneled by urban structures, and the chop of short fetches. Those local micro-winds teach quick sail trim and decisive steering—skills that separate safe sailors from hesitant ones. Instructors emphasize seamanship and rules of the road alongside boat handling, so you leave with practical competence as well as textbook knowledge.
This is a family-friendly program—parents and teens can learn together—and it’s an efficient pathway to ASA certification for those pursuing collegiate or club one-design racing. Courses require a two-student minimum and have age limits tied to boat size (13+, 16+ in 16.5s), so plan accordingly. Gear lists and meeting points are provided at booking; wear layers, bring deck shoes, and expect to get wet while you learn.
Why book this trip? It’s compact, skill-dense, and taught on proven Catalina hulls that reward active learning. For visitors to Nashville wanting a vigorous, technical outdoor experience away from the city streets, this ASA 110 course delivers immediate, measurable progress and the kind of boatfeel that keeps sailors coming back. Whether you aim to race one-design dinghies or simply command a small sailboat confidently, this two-day course translates classroom theory into steady hands at the tiller.
Instructors are current safe-boat certified and prioritize clear radio communication, pre-sail checks, and individualized coaching so beginners build situational awareness quickly. Students often leave able to rig a Catalina, read basic wind angles, and execute safe docking in confined spaces. Pack sunscreen, a waterproof phone pouch, and a light foul-weather layer. Bookings are handled through the operator's online reservation, and classes fill fast during warmer months—reserve early. Plan accordingly.
Students must be at least 13 years old to sail in 12.5s and 16 years old to train in 16.5s; adults of any age may enroll.
No—this course teaches fundamentals from rigging and sail trim to docking; beginners are welcome.
Classes require at least two students; if the minimum isn't met you will be rescheduled to another open class date.
This course follows ASA 110 curriculum and prepares students for basic certification; check with the operator about formal testing and issuance.
Bring layers, deck shoes, sunscreen, a water bottle, and a waterproof pouch for valuables; specific lists are provided at booking.
Instructors monitor conditions and may adjust or reschedule sessions for safety if winds or storms make on-water training unsafe.
Sail Nashville is a sailing school and charter operator based in Nashville, Tennessee, offering hands-on sailing and powerboating courses on Percy Priest Lake and at Hamilton Creek Marina. The company provides American Sailing Association (ASA) certification courses including ASA 101 Basic Keelboat (two-day and three-day options), ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising, ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising, ASA 110 Basic Small Boat Sailing in both group and individual formats, and associated add-on and review clinics. Sail Nashville also teaches AB 101 powerboating skills and hosts sunset sails aboard a Catalina 275 Sport. Courses combine classroom or online lessons with on-the-water practice to teach docking, tacking, navigation, rigging, capsizing recovery, safety, and boat handling. Keelboat training uses 20–45 foot keelboats and coastal cruisers, while small boat classes use a Catalina 12.5 and dinghy instruction at Hamilton Creek Marina. Hands-on practice emphasizes practical skills to prepare students to skipper in light to moderate winds and to earn widely recognized ASA credentials. Sail Nashville designs courses for beginners through those preparing for bareboat cruising. Options include short half-day reviews, multi-day certification courses, and relaxed sunset sails for leisure. The business highlights experienced instruction, established course outlines, and waterfront training locations in the Nashville area. Booking options accommodate individual students and group classes, with clear course lengths ranging from half-day reviews to three-day standard courses for certification. Small boat classes accept students age 13 and up, and courses are structured to combine online learning with on-water instruction for efficient skill development and certification preparation.
Book with Sail Nashville