SAILING LESSONS IN NEW YORK HARBOR
LEARN TO SAIL
Ready to learn how to sail in the New York Harbor? Vital Force Yachting is here to help!
TAKE LIFE BY THE HELM : GET STARTED SAILING!
If not now, then when? Get started this season with the basics of boating and build your skills over time
Join our sailing or powerboat school and get started with some basic lessons, and you will shortly be underway, experiencing firsthand the freedom and excitement of yachting!
We provide a curriculum certified by the American Sailing Association (ASA). Explore our range of boating classes and get started sailing — stop dreaming and start living today!
real results
"Captain John changed my life. Learning to sail ...in every sense... literally set me free!"
Learning to sail with John empowered me with the confidence to purchase a boat, sail the east coast and then the Caribbean and eventually cross the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. I've never looked back!
-Robert, student
"I never knew how great it could be working with a content creator who GETS it. Mathilde really gets it.
I'm baby farm-to-table sartorial helvetica, migas marfa paleo chambray normcore 8-bit bushwick roof party truffaut banjo actually. YOLO health goth jean shorts forage farm-to-table flannel. Brooklyn hexagon biodiesel af, man bun literally salvia live-edge fixie cornhole freegan.
- monique, model
basic & MID-LEVEL SKILLS
ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing
Able to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 27 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds (up to 15 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of basic sailing terminology, parts, and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship, and safety, including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards. Auxiliary power operation is not required.
ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising
Able to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (inboard or outboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet in length by day in moderate winds (up to 20 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather interpretation, safety, and seamanship.
ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising
Able to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary-powered keelboat of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, routine maintenance procedures, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health and safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operation.
enroll in sea school
New to Sailing? Start Here & get ASA certified
We offer a series of sailing courses certified by the American Sailing Association (ASA). Our U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Captains are also certified ASA instructors. Vital Force Yachting, powered by all the resources of ASA, has everything you need to learn to sail confidently and safely.
Our ASA classes are taught by trained instructors and guided by a proven curriculum designed to get you sailing safely and confidently.
COASTAL CRUISING & NAVIGATION
ASA 105, Coastal Navigation
Able to apply the navigational theory and practices for safe navigation of a sailing vessel in coastal and inland waters. On-water coastal navigation skills elements are contained in the ASA103, Basic Coastal Cruising, ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising, and ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising, in progressively increasing levels of detail.
ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising
Able to safely act as skipper and crew of a sailing vessel about 30 to 50 feet in length in coastal and inland waters, in any conditions.
ASA 108, Offshore Passagemaking
Able to skipper a sailing vessel on extended offshore passages requiring celestial navigation. Knowledge of long-term passage planning, offshore vessel selection, sail repair, offshore first aid, watch-keeping, emergency procedures, abandon ship protocols, safety and seamanship.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN EACH COURSE:
Instruction by a US Coast Guard-licensed Captain who is certified by ASA to teach
No more than a 4:1 student/instructor ratio, ensuring optimal learning and attention
Receive in advance of your course as ASA manual to match your class level for pre-study
A fun and immersive experience of approximately 16 hours over four sessions
become a certified sailor!
“
Captain Jack was a fantastic and fun instructor. He was so patient and kind.
HE MADE ME A CONFIDENT SAILOR!
- AL, NEW JERSEY
HOW IT WORKS
Let us know your ASA level
Reach out to us and let us know if you are a beginner (ASA 101) or whether you are pursuing an advanced certification.
We will pair you with a group
We will pair you with another group for an upcoming session, or if you wish, we can discuss private lessons.
Dates & resources will be shared
Once a group is set, dates will be shared (most classes comprise four sessions of four hours each) and ASA manuals will be delivered for advanced reading and study.
Become bareboat certified so you can charter on holiday!
HELM YOUR OWN VACATION YACHT!
Many of our students want to learn to sail, so they can enjoy the activity locally, either as part of our fractional yacht member program or with their own yacht. Some also wish to be able to rent a yacht from a bareboat partner, so they can sail the islands with friends and family. Reaching our ASA 104 level allows you to become "bareboat certified," as required by most charter agencies.
NOW THAT YOU ARE A SAILOR, PUT IT TO practice!
Leverage your new skills on a private yacht for the season
Once you've learned the ropes and are a more confident sailor, why not continue to practice your new skills and share the experience with friends and family? Get regular access to a private yacht for three to seven uses a month during May-October through SailTime, our fractional yacht membership program.
Learn with Vital Force Yachting and
you'll FEEL EMPOWERED
+ GAIN CONFIDENCE ON THE WATER
+ BUILD A FOUNDATION OF SAILING SKILLS
+ FEEL BETTER EQUIPPED TO TAKE THE HELM!
+ ADVANCE YOUR SEAMANSHIP & FURTHER YOUR PASSION
sign up for your spot now!
“
Captain John is obviously a highly skilled sailor and he brought impressive experience to our lessons.
I GOT MY 104 AND I NOW CHARTER IN THE CARIBBEAN!
- ANDI, NEW YORK
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
ask yourself
Your yachting dreams have waited long enough! Stop being an armchair sailor, watching videos and reading magazines — take life by the helm!
CONNECT
elsewhere:
READ THE CAPTAIN'S LOG ON
OUR BLOG
VIEW Our VIDEOS ON
YOUTUBE
Keep up with Vital Force Yachting across articles on our blog, videos on our YouTube and regular posts on Instagram & Facebook!
FOLLOW US ON
