Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the three, five and
seven-day programs?
If you have some significant sailing experience that
you would like to document such as boat ownership
experience, racing crew or cruising crew, the
three-day course is for you. If you have been a
guest/crew on a sailing bareboat charter, or have
some sailing in your past, the five-day course is
for you. The seven-day course is designed for those
who are preparing for chartering in the Caribbean.
This class allows for two days of solo sailing time,
to build confidence and experience in trip planning
and spending the night at anchor. This is a
completely hands on course.
Other schools offer a similar lesson. Why should I
choose San Diego Sailing Academy?
Our
program is private. We do not put other students in
your class. This is why we can offer 101/103/104 in
one course. By concentrating on you and your goals
and dreams, we can be very successful.
We specialize in this liveaboard program. Other companies try to arrange a part time sailing instructor and one of their rental boats, along with you and up to five other students for a sailing trip. Their instructor is always on board and “certification” happens somewhere along the way. This is VERY different than what we do. We don't take you on a trip, we prepare you for a trip of your own.
Our course is longer. Take our five day course for example, you may and should board your yacht on Sunday at around 2 pm. You and your partner can check in get acquainted with the boat and relax, read and get ready for sailing on Monday.
Our boats are awesome. We own all of our boats. We specifically purchased and outfitted these boats for this program.
Our location is awesome. San Diego, California is sailing year round. Some of the sailing industry's best people live and work here. There is every type of boating related business. Have a question on watermakers? There are 3 businesses on Shelter Island that service and install watermakers.
Every instructor at San Diego Sailing Academy has won the ASA instructor of the year award. Nick has won three times. Mike has won twice. San Diego Sailing Academy is 2006, 2007, 2008 ASA school of the year.
You will sail with same instructor every day. At other schools you might sail with a different part time sailing instructor every day.
In short, we care. We want you to succeed in your
sailing goals. Nothing beats the feeling you get as
a sailing instructor when you get
emails letters and pictures like these.
Are there other students in our course?
No, we offer only private sailing instruction. Our
student to instructor ratio is 2 to 1. Remember, we
are preparing two students, acting together as a
team, to plan and execute a sailing trip.
What should I bring?
It's not about how much you bring, it's about bringing the right gear. If you own sailing gear you should bring it, if you don't, get it in San Diego where it is plentiful. If you own a GPS or a similar devise, you should bring it. The sailing is cool, so a wind breaker and medium weight fleece is always a good idea. Hats and sunglasses are a must. It's warm in the summer 70-80's and cool in the winter 60-70's. If you have foul weather gear, you should bring it. If you don't and you need it, you can get a great deal here. Most of our students wish they had brought less clothes and more technical gear. One medium sized bag per person plus toiletries should do it.
Where are you located?
Our base is at the Kona
Kai Resort B Dock on Shelter Island, San Diego Bay,
California.
Our physical address is 1551 Shelter Island Drive,
San Diego, California 92106.
- We do not accept
mail at this address. Meetings by appointment only.
Our mailing address is 2907 Shelter Island Drive
#256, San Diego, California 92106.
What is the weather like?
Nice. Seriously.
Do you offer courses all year? Which is the best month?
Yes, of course, classes are offered 12 months a year
in San Diego. We are called "Americas Finest City".
The best month depends on where you are from.
May-November is when we get students from States
where it is hot. (Arizona,
New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Utah etc.) November-May,
we get students from
Europe,
the East Coast, Mid West and
Alaska.
We sail in a thermal sea breeze here. You'll see
pretty much the same conditions year round. It's
cooler in the winter, warmer in the summer. There
really is no bad month.
What about Hurricanes?
We are lucky and don't have them.
Do we take Wednesday off as a free day to go to the
zoo?
No, we sail every day.
What type of boats do you use?
We offer professional sailing instruction aboard yachts from major manufactures like Catalina Yachts, Hunter Marine and Beneteau sailboats.
What are your instructor's qualifications?
All our instructors are licensed yachtmasters, and certified sailing instructors. Our tenured instructors have over twenty years of year round teaching experience with SDSA.com. Our newest instructor has worked here nine years.
How do I make a reservation?
Please
contact us to select an
available week and provide us with a 50% deposit.
How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?
We typically book about 30-45 days in advance. However, if you need a reservation sooner than that, please check with us for availability. If you have specific dates in mind, it is never too early to reserve exactly what you want. We do accept reservations up to a year in advance.
What are the payment terms?
To make a reservation a 50% deposit is required.
Your balance is due upon your arrival. We accept
VISA, MasterCard, American Express and your personal
check is welcome.
What is your refund policy?
Your deposit is non refundable. If you need to
reschedule your sailing, you may do so for a fee:
90 days out $150
60 days out $250
30 days out $350
Are there any other fees associated with our course?
Your tests and certification are included in your tuition, however the tuition cost does not cover your books. We recommend ordering your books directly from Amazon. The two books you'll need are Sailing Fundamentals by Gary Jobson and ASA's Bareboat Cruising Made Easy
What types of accommodations are there?
Typically, our students
will either stay aboard one of our yachts or make an
independent reservation at the Kona Kai Resort &
Spa. If you choose to stay at the Kona Kai, you will
be afforded a special discount as a client of the
San Diego Sailing Academy.
Whichever accommodations you chose, as a client
of San Diego Sailing Academy, all of the Kona Kai
Resort amenities are available to you!
If you will be staying
aboard, our yachts are
fully equipped for you to live aboard including
fresh linens, towels, and pillows. The galleys are
fully equipped for cooking including BBQ's. There is
hot water on board each yacht. The Marina and Yacht
Clubs have shower rooms, and laundry rooms.
If you prefer staying at the resort, the Kona Kai
Resort & Spa offers casual island luxury
accommodations including health club, spa, pool and
Tiki bar. The Vessel Restaurant & Lounge serve
SoCal cuisine, steaks and seafood and the bar offers
a daily happy hour and free live entertainment
Thursday thru Sunday. Take note: The
Kona
Kai Resort offers the only privately owned beach in
San Diego, complete with gas fire pits and private
cabanas.
And remember, whichever accommodations you chose,
as a client of
San Diego
Sailing Academy, all of the Kona Kai Resort
amenities are available to you!
Take note: The
Kona
Kai Resort offers the only privately owned beach in
San Diego, complete with gas fire pits and private
cabanas.
Click here to visit their website for more
information.
Are provisions included?
No, provisions are not included in your tuition.
Is there a market nearby where we can purchase groceries and other provisions?
Yes, there is a Ralph’s grocery store 2 miles from
our marina as well as a Vons, Jensons, and a Trader
Joe’s, and smaller quick stops in between. If you
do not have a car, no problem! UBER and most other
transportation companies provide service in our
area.
Are there restaurants in walking
distance of the marina?
Yes, Shelter Island has several bars and restaurants
within walking distance. In fact, the Kona Kai has
an excellent Happy Hour from 2-6 pm and delicious
nightly meal specials right here at the marina.
Is there a place to park my car?
Yes, there is one parking space provided per group.
What about a car rental while we are in San
Diego?
All of the major car rental companies
operate in San Diego. Most are located at the
airport but several have locations in local downtown
areas as well. Contact your preferred rental agency
for exact locations. Uber, Lyft, taxi cabs, and
most other forms of transportation operate and
service the San Diego area.
Can we add a person to our course?
Yes, however the larger the group the less individualized the instruction. There is a flat $750 additional person fee added to any course tuition.
Can we bring a ride along person who will not take lessons?
No.
Is there somewhere I can check my email?
Yes, the Marina has free, secure Wi-Fi.
Can I bring my pet?
No. Sorry.
When can I start my live-aboard course?
All classes start on Monday at 9:30. Plan to arrive
as early as
2:00pm on the Sunday prior to your class to
check in and relax.
Are there other desirable locations in the area to anchor overnight?
Glorietta Bay and LaPlaya Cove are two highly desirable locations for overnight anchorage. Glorietta Bay laps at the shores of Coronado Island, one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in California. In fact, Coronado's beach has been designated a "Best Beach" by the Travel Channel. La Playa is adjacent to both the San Diego Yacht Club and the Southwestern Yacht Club and affords boaters a classic San Diego vacation with views of historic Point Loma and downtown San Diego.
What about hotel and marina guest slips for overnight anchorage?
There are several private and public slips available around San Diego. Here are a few we recommend:
Loews Coronado Bay Resort - On its own 15-acre peninsula, this luxury hotel offers views of the shimmering bay waters and the San Diego skyline.
Glorietta Bay Marina - across from the historic Hotel Del Coronado.
Also, if you belong to a yacht club you may have reciprocal privileges at many of the San Diego yacht clubs.
Do I need a passport?
No, you do not need your passport to take ASA 101/103/104/105. However, if your yacht goes to Los Coronados Islands in Mexico or crosses the US/Mexico border you will need to report to the customs dock and clear customs. It is recommended that you bring your passport. If you are taking Advanced Coastal Cruising 106 or higher your passport is required.
Can you do this course on my boat?
Yes, although we don't prefer to. This service is only available Monday thru Friday and a travel charge may apply.
I have already taken 101 but I haven't done much sailing since. I want to have a refresher course, which course should I sign up for?
Sign up for a five day.
My son/daughter is only 14. Can he/she get certified too?
Yes, there is no minimum age for certification. You
and your kid can complete the course together.
Are there any extra services that I can add?
Yes, deck hand services and docking assistants are available in 4 hour increments. Please check with us for current rates.