Catamaran Sailing Lessons

Catamaran sailing lessons are now being offered by Fair Wind Sailing School from our sailing base in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. In the Virgin Islands, our catamaran sailing lessons are conducted aboard our fabulous Leopard 45 catamarans (also know as the Moorings 4500). We have recently expanded our catamaran sailing lessons and now have 2 Moorings 4500 vessels. We offer catamaran sailing lessons in two forms. First we offer ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran Sailing Lessons for experienced sailors who already have ASA 104 Certification (pre-requisite). These catamaran sailing lessons are conducted over 3-days and offer the experience monohull sailor the opportunity to learn how to cruise a large cat. We are also pleased to announcd catamaran sailing lessons at our new North Carolina Sailing School!

For those beginning, we offer our Instant Bareboater + Catamaran Sailing Lessons. These sailing lessons complete ASA 101, 103, 104 & 114 aboard a 7-day live-aboard cruise through the USVI and BVI. Note that the Instant Bareboater + Catamaran Sailing Lessons cover a significant amount sailing instruction material in a short period. Yes, you can do it!!, but we strongly recommend you study the sailing instruction material in advance. For those wishing to learn how to sail a cruising cat -- and have a great time doing it -- this is an ideal learning format. Already ASA 104 certified and just looking for ASA 114? We offer a complete schedule in at our North Carolina Sailing School.

New! Expanded catamaran sailing lessons schedule in the Virgin Islands.

As with all our Virign Islands programs, our catamaran sailing lessons offer the vessel, on board meals and (non-alcoholic) beverages, text, tests, books, taxes, cruising fees and running expenses for one low, inclusive price.

Learn to sail where the ASA Instructors learn to sail! We are happy to announce that Fair Wind Sailing School is the only Caribbean location chosen by the ASA to certify Catamaran Sailing Instructors.

Catamaran Sailing Instruction Itinerary

Fair Wind Sailing School announces its new online reservation booking system. When you book online, you will only be charged a 50% depost to hold your berth. Click here for instructions on how to book online.

Catamaran Sailing Instruction Itinerary

Welcome to Catamaran Sailing Lessons! We meet at the cat Saturday afternoon in Red Hook, St Thomas.  After introductions, we’ll work to fully understand your goals and objectives. Then we'll begin by teaching trip preparation, route planning and conduct a few fun exercises to introduce you to the cat and its safety gear. Finally, we’ll provision the boat for our voyage, get you settled into your berths and still have time to enjoy the evening in Red Hook, one of St Thomas’ charming Caribbean towns with many restaurants, bars and strolling up and down the docks. Enjoy your first night aboard.

We go sailing....

....Off through the Islands!

After our morning safety at sea lecture, we'll complete our final boat checks and set out on our first voyage on our catamaran. We complete our first trade-wind sailing as we cross Pillsbury Sound and head to a quiet anchorage on St John’s.  After a full day on the water learning to sail with two hulls, we’ll pick up our first mooring ball and enjoy the deserted beaches, fine swimming and countless stars in the quiet anchorage of Francis Bay, St John.

At Anchor in
the VI

We begin the day by heading to West End, Tortola, BVI where you’ll learn how to clear customs from a private yacht, raise the “Q” and courtesy flags, and other international yachting customs.  Next, it's over to Norman Island.  On the way, we’ll sail through the various points of sail, begin our tacking practice, hold lectures on rules of the road, the lateral buoy system and sail trim. With luck, we’ll have time for a once in a lifetime snorkel at the Indians or The Caves.  Finally, we’ll celebrate passing the ASA 101 certification test with a drink and maybe dinner at the legendary Willy Tee’s floating pirate ship bar and restaurant.

We sail up the Francis Drake Channel.  Lots of tacking practice, man-over-board drills and navigation practice fill the day as we round Tortola and head to Marina Cay or Lee Bay.  If conditions are right, this is the perfect time to practice putting reefs in the sails and shaking them out.  We’ll pick up another mooring ball – a skill that you'll know well by now.  Our nice long sail up the channel will be followed by a relaxing night with an evening lecture on plumbing and electrcial systems. There's time for a swim on the protected beach or a sunset drink at one of  the most picturesque locations in the Caribbean.

Today’s lectures focus on preparing for and preventing sea sickness, minor engine repairs and anchoring challenges.  Then we set off on a quick sail to Monkey Point for an unforgettable snorkel that you’ll talk about for years.  Next, its down-wind sailing day with practice reaching, running and gybing.  We’ll heave-to for lunch outside Sandy Spit and then finish the day’s sailing at Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke with more anchoring practice.  Finally, we celebrate passing our ASA 103 exam at the world-famous Foxy’s!

Engine Repair Lecture

Capt. Dave and Foxy

We'll begin with an early lecture on VHF radio operation, weather and dinghy safety. Then we set sail, performing quick stop man over board drills and more down wind sailing drills on our way to Cruz Bay, St John’s. We’ll clear customs back into the U.S. in St John’s and have another chance to practice our anchor sets.  Then it's more sailing drills on the way to Great St James Island and Christmas Cove.  Yet another anchor set is rewarded by some great snorkeling and protected swimming from the boat.  We'll enjoy a relaxing night onboard, practice some knot tying, and review for the final exam as we count shooting stars and enjoy the seclusion of Christmas Cove!

Knot Tying

We begin day seven with final sailing drills followed by docking practice as we sail West and head back to Red Hook for our final review and exam.  Congratulations are in order as you pass your ASA 114 exam and earn the right to call yourself a bareboat catamaran charterer!  As we wrap up, it will be difficult to say good-bye to new friends, but you'll leave with the confidence that you have become a capable sailor and the knowledge that your next trip will be as Captain!

Docking Practice

ASA 114 Exam--We Passed !!