Become a Confident, Independent Sailor

Learn to sail on real cruising boats — not rushed weekend classes

Designed to take you from zero experience… to skipper-ready
Start Your Sailing Journey
A structured, experience-based training pathway (not a crash course)
145+ 5-Star Reviews
 
Small Class Sizes
 
ASA Accredited
 

Most ASA 101 Classes Take 2 Days

Most schools rush through ASA 101 in a weekend.
You walk away with a certificate… but not the confidence to take a boat out with your friends and family.
Outbound Sailing was built around a different belief:
If your dream is to truly skipper your own boat, you need real time on the water not a crash course.
That’s why we created the Inland/Lakes Skipper: ASA 101 Training Pathway - a 10-day, immersive training experience combining structured instruction and guided real-world practice.
No rushing. No shortcuts.
Just experience, repetition, and confidence.
And no these aren’t 10 days in a row. You’ll do your 2 core class days first, then join Community Sails on evenings or weekends whenever they fit your schedule.

Inland/Lakes Skipper: ASA 101 Training Pathway

10 Days | 48+ Hours | $1,000
Small groups. Big results. Real confidence.
You’ll get:
Two Days of Formal ASA 101 Instruction
Your complete ASA 101 course. Structured, small-group, and certification-focused.
Eight Instructor-Guided Community Sails
Hands-on, real-world practice sails (4–5 hours each) led by an instructor. Scheduled weekly by Outbound Sailing. Join any sessions that fit your calendar.
Total Training Time: ~48+ Hours
ASA 101 Certification Included
Pass your written exam on Day 2 and demonstrate on-the-water skills during your formal training days.
A Proven Path to Becoming a Confident Skipper
Everything in this program is designed to help you sail safely and independently.
Not 10 Days in a Row
You’ll do your 2 core class days first, then join Community Sails on evenings or weekends whenever they fit your schedule.
Reserve Your Spot
View All Sailing Pathways

How It Works

Clear, simple, and built around your real life.
1. Choose Your Two ASA 101 Training Days at Checkout
During registration, you select the two-day ASA 101 training class that fits your schedule.
Your registration includes:
  • 2 full days of ASA 101 instruction
  • Your first Community Sail (a 4–5 hour practice session)
  • ASA certification fee
Total Due at Registration: $884
($825 program tuition + $59 ASA fee)
Pre-Class Prep (6–8 Hours)
Before class, you’ll complete:
  • Online learning modules
  • The ASA 101 Sailing Made Easy textbook
This ensures your on-the-water time is hands-on and active.
2. Join Your First Community Sail (Included)
After your ASA 101 course, you’ll attend your first Community Sail, included in your registration.
This session is your first practice day - a chance to apply what you learned in real conditions with an instructor on board.
3. Continue Your Training Pathway (7 More Sails at $25 Each)
To complete your 10-day training journey, you’ll continue joining Community Sails at your own pace.
Each additional Community Sail costs just $25, and you can join whenever you’re ready. Alumni may attend up to 10 total Community Sailing Events as part of their training.
  • Community Sails run once per week
  • Each session is 4-5 hours
  • Instructor on board
  • Attend at your own pace as you complete the pathway
Most students participate every 2-6 weeks, progressing comfortably through their 10-day pathway.
Total Training Program Cost
$825 base + 7 Community Sails at $25 each = $1,000
Most alumni are Skipper Ready after completing ASA 101 and an average of eight Community Sails. If you need more time, you may attend up to two additional Community Sailing Events for $25 each, for a maximum of 10 total events. After your tenth event, you can continue building your skills through Private Training or use our Alumni Crew Finder program to sail with other alumni who are qualified as skippers.
4. Finish With Real Skill and Real Confidence
By the end, you’ll have over 48 hours of real on-the-water experience - far more than a weekend course - and the ability to take the helm on your own on inland lakes and waterways.
Reserve Your Spot

Why 10 Days? Because Confidence Takes Time.

In two days, you can learn vocabulary. In ten days, you can confidently:
  • Trim sails in variable wind conditions
  • Understand points of sail instinctively
  • Dock safely
  • Recover a crew overboard
  • Handle unexpected gusts
  • React calmly in real conditions
  • Work as an effective crew member
  • Take command when needed
Your Community Sails are where the magic happens.
Each one builds repetitions, instincts, and muscle memory - the things you cannot get in a 2-day course.
Most ASA 101 programs teach you the basics. Ours teaches you independence!

Transparent Pricing. Unmatched Value.

Most ASA 101 classes run for 2 days and cost $500–$700+.
Outbound Sailing’s Inland/Lakes Skipper Pathway includes 10 days of training for $1,000.
Here’s what that actually means:
Cost Comparison
  • Typical ASA 101: $650 for 16 hours → ≈ $40/hour
  • Outbound Sailing: $1,000 for 48+ hours → ≈ $21/hour
It does cost more than a typical weekend class, but with over 48 hours of training, the cost per hour is actually less.
And more importantly:
  • The outcome is not even comparable.
  • Most schools teach you the basics.
  • We teach you to sail confidently on your own.

What You'll Learn

Sailing Fundamentals

  • Points of sail
  • Tacking, jibing, & heaving-to
  • Sail trim for power & control
  • Helming in light & moderate wind

Boat Handling

  • Departing & returning to the dock
  • Crew communication & roles
  • COB recovery
  • Electrical systems

Seamanship & Safety

  • Terminology
  • Knots & line handling
  • Stand-on & give-way rules
  • Mindset, leadership, & safety

Navigation & Situational Awareness

  • Reading wind & conditions
  • Lake-specific hazards
  • Basic chart awareness
  • Real-world decision-making
This is not a cram session. It’s real training.
Become a Skipper

Join a Community of Sailors

Because learning to sail is just the beginning.
When you train with Outbound Sailing, you’re not just taking a class you’re joining a welcoming community of people who love being on the water.
Sailing is a skill you develop over time, and our community is built to help you grow safely, confidently, and alongside others who share your passion.
You’ll train and sail on our fleet of full size cruising sailboats - built for comfort, stability, and hands-on learning.
Stay involved. Keep learning. Sail with others.
After your first two days of training, you’ll be welcomed into our active sailing community, with opportunities to:
  • Join weekly Community Sails during your training pathway
  • Meet other local sailors
  • Practice your skills in a supportive environment
  • Stay connected to the water year-round
  • Join OS Alumni Flotillas and special events
Outbound Sailing isn’t just a school. It’s a place to grow as a sailor, long after your first class is done.

Why Outbound Sailing Is Different

  Outbound Sailing Typical ASA School
Program Price $1,000 $500-$700+
Total Training Time 48+ hours 12–16 hours
Cost Per Hour ~$21/hour ~$30-$45+/hour
Class Size 2–3 students 4–6
Community Practice Sails 8 included None
Pathway to Independence Yes Limited
Access to Full Sized Training Boats Yes No
Confidence to Skipper High Low–Medium
Choose the Smarter Way to Learn

Why Students Choose Outbound Sailing

  • Highest-rated sailing school in Austin
  • Personalized coaching
  • Real-world, hands-on training
  • Community-centered learning
  • Flexible scheduling
  • A culture of encouragement, not pressure
  • A proven pathway to skippering your own boat
At Outbound Sailing, we don’t rush you through a certification. We help you become the kind of sailor people trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don’t you offer ASA 101 as a 2-day weekend course like other schools?
Because two days is enough to teach terminology but not enough to build confidence. Our 10-day program gives you the real time on the water you need to actually feel ready to sail on your own, not just pass a test.
Is this 10 days in a row?
No. Only your first two training days are consecutive. The remaining training happens during weekly Community Sails you join over time.
Do I need any experience?
No. The Inland/Lakes Skipper Pathway is designed for complete beginners.
Can I start with the 10-day program instead of Intro to Sailing?
Yes. Most students go straight into the pathway.
How long does the pathway take?
Most students complete the 10 days over 3-10 months, depending on their schedule.
Is the ASA 101 certification included?
Yes. You will take the ASA 101 exam on the second day of your class and earn your ASA 101 certification.
What if I’m not confident after the 10 days?
Most alumni are Skipper Ready after completing ASA 101 and an average of eight Community Sails. If you would like more practice, you may attend up to two additional Community Sailing Events for $25 each, for a maximum of 10 total events. After your tenth event, you can choose Private Training for focused instruction or use our Alumni Crew Finder program to sail with other alumni who are qualified as skippers.
Is this really enough to skipper on my own?
Yes. Once you complete the program and log your 10 days as skipper, you’ll have the skills and confidence needed for inland/lake sailing.

Ready to Start Your Sailing Journey?

Join the most comprehensive, confidence-building ASA 101 program in Austin.
Inland/Lakes Skipper: ASA 101 Training Pathway
10 Days |48+ Hours | $1,000
Reserve Your Spot →
Still unsure? Try our 3-Hour Intro to Sailing Experience

Have questions or just want to talk sailing?

I’d love to hear about your sailing goals and help you figure out the best next step — even if that means suggesting a different program or school.
Call or text me anytime — I’m always happy to help.
Jason Burns
Instructor | General Manager
(512) 222-7245

Class Schedules

The calendar shows when each class is offered and the number of spaces currently available. Tap on a class to register. Classes grayed out are full.
ASA 101 / 103 classes run from 9a - 5p and limited to a maximum of 3 students. A minimum of 2 students required to form a class.
Please contact us with questions or specific scheduling needs.

What Other Sailors Have To Say

Read Over 100 5-Star Reviews From Google, Yelp, and Facebook

I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Outbound Sailing. From start to finish, they were an incredibly professional operation, and it was obvious they take pride in what they do. The training boat was clean, well maintained, and a great platform to learn on.

Jason was an outstanding instructor. His teaching style really stood out—rather than simply telling us what to do, he gave us the opportunity to work through situations and even fail safely when appropriate. That approach forced us to actually understand what was happening, correct our mistakes, and build confidence instead of just checking boxes for the ASA 101 requirements.

He also went well beyond the basics of the course, sharing real-world knowledge and experience that made the entire weekend that much more valuable.

I came away from ASA 101 feeling like I actually learned how to sail, albeit more practice and reps are necessary after any training, but most importantly not just how to pass a class.

I’m proud to officially be part of the Outbound Sailing family and highly recommend them to anyone looking to learn to sail or continue developing their skills. I’m already looking forward to growing as a sailor, building my skills, and having a lot more adventures with Outbound Sailing.

Jared Bruno 08/25/26 via Google Reviews

I recently had the opportunity to spend two full days on the water with Jason at Outbound Sailing, and it was an excellent experience. Jason is extremely thorough and does a great job explaining not just what to do, but why you’re doing it. The instruction is very hands-on, and there’s a strong emphasis on developing real confidence and competence on the boat.

I also really like Outbound’s philosophy of continuing to build experience after the class through additional time on the water. Sailing is something that takes repetition, and their approach makes a lot of sense.

Jason is knowledgeable, patient, and clearly invested in helping people become capable sailors. I’d highly recommend Outbound Sailing to anyone looking for quality sailing instruction on Lake Travis.

bertcox1 08/24/26 via Google Reviews

I can’t say enough about what a great experience 101 was with Jason and Outbound. Jason was easy to communicate with and available from the day I signed up if any questions came to mind. The smaller class size worked really well to ensure each person felt a bit of one on one instruction and Jason made it feel more like a fun couple of days on the water with a knowledgeable friend than taking a class. The material was easily to follow, so even the class work wasn’t hard to get through. This is a really thorough experience, packed with practice and information, by the end of the second day I started to feel so much more comfortable on the boat and out on the water in general. The boats are also very well kept. I was excited to learn Outbound offers community sails and boat rental on the boats between class sessions so you can get enough experience on the water even without having your own boat. They really have a great program laid out with some exciting options, that I cannot wait to partake in. If you’re considering starting your learning journey, make it happen here. It’s well worth the investment.

Tim Former 08/16/26 via Google Reviews
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Outbound Sailing

About Us

For over 15 years, we have been an ASA-certified sailing school in Austin, TX, committed to delivering high-quality sailing education. Our classes offer both foundational and advanced skills for all levels of sailing enthusiasts.
We emphasize the importance of continued on-the-water practice after certification. To support this, we provide a variety of sailing programs, including community sailing events, adventure learning vacations, and alumni flotillas. These programs are designed to create a safe and fun environment where students and alumni can enhance their skills, gain experience, and build confidence on the water.
To learn more about the dedicated team behind our exceptional sailing programs, please visit our Meet the Team page.
American Sailing (ASA)

About American Sailing

American Sailing (ASA) has been in operation for more than 40 years. With over 400 sailing schools worldwide and more than half a million certified students, it is the largest and most widely recognized sailing certification body in the world.
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