Are you dreaming of taking your sailing experience to a whole new level, far beyond the sight of land and over the breathtaking open sea? Do your biggest sailing ambitions include nonstop multi-day passages, crossing an ocean, or sailing around the world? If so, Modern Sailing’s ASA 108, Offshore Passagemaking course will help prepare you to meet the challenge.
The ASA 108, Offshore Passagemaking certification marks the pinnacle of the ASA certification journey. This course will prepare you with the knowledge and skills that are crucial to any sailor considering long-distance cruising and offshore passagemaking. Students will gain an understanding of yacht preparation, long-term passage planning, crew health, watch-standing, use of celestial navigation, weather analysis, storm avoidance, heavy weather sailing techniques including use of a trysail, storm jib, and drogue, use of radar and AIS, emergency procedures, safety and seamanship, as well as other elements involved in ocean passagemaking.
This course is led by two highly experienced USCG licensed captains who will serve as your captain, first mate, and ASA instructors. Crew consists of four ASA 108 students on one of Modern Sailing’s bluewater equipped and capable 40ft+ monohull or catamaran sailing yachts.
This course sails south out of Sausalito to Marina del Rey. It begins with a one-day hands-on orientation and preparation seminar conducted onboard the yacht prior to departure. The passage covers 450+ nautical miles for 5 to 6 continuous days and nights, with a planned one-night stopover at Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California.
Candidates for this course must be in good health and fit for activities aboard a sailing vessel underway continuously for multiple days and nights. Prerequisites include ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising, and ASA 107, Celestial Navigation. It is possible to fulfill the ASA 107 prerequisite with either ASA 107, Celestial Navigation or ASA 117, Basic Celestial Endorsement, both of which are available online at https://asa.com/starpath.
The coveted ASA 108 certification is awarded to students who have met the course prerequisites and have demonstrated mastery of the ASA 108 standards by means of on-the-water skills evaluation and an essay-style written exam.
Due to the broad range of topics covered in this course, there is no single textbook that covers everything you need to know to successfully complete this course and prepare for your future offshore passages. A recommended (but not required) reading list is provided in the ASA 108 Information Packet that can help you in your studies and provide valuable reference material for your future sailing adventures.
ASA 108 Information Packet
View the 2025 ASA 108 Information Packet for details about this course.
ASA 108, Offshore Passagemaking Orientation Session
Join us for a half-day hands-on orientation and preparation seminar in Sausalito, hosted by your captain and ASA Master Instructor, Jeff Cathers. This informational event is open to all interested sailors!
Date: May 4, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: 2330 Marinship Way, Suite 280, Sausalito
Cost: $195 Members | $245 Nonmembers
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about sailing the California coast!
Sign up for the May 4 Orientation Session now!
2025 ASA 108 Session Dates
August 9 - 16, 2025 from Sausalito to Marina del Rey, California
Don’t have your ASA 106 or 107 yet but still want to go? Explore the Coho II Delivery Experience—an incredible way for experienced sailors to enjoy the California coast. Learn more by visiting the Coho II Delivery Experience page.
Questions? Ready to Sign Up?
If you have questions or want to sign up, contact Modern Sailing at (415) 331-8250, office@modernsailing.com, or stop by our Sausalito office at 2130 Marinship Way. If you have completed ASA 106 and 107 with Modern Sailing you will be able to book online.
