Horizon Yacht Charters is an American Sailing Association affiliated facility offering first-class tuition on first-class yachts in the most idyllic cruising grounds in the world: the British Virgin Islands. Whether you have never sailed before but want to learn the ropes, or you are an "old salt" who wants a refresher to enhance your sailing skills and learn a few new ones, Horizon Yacht Charters has the course for you.

The ASA program has structured levels of sailing standards, which are examined at progressive certification levels. Students receive a Logbook that lists the standards, certification and records sailing experience. All courses and examinations are run by Horizon's ASA qualified instructors. When a certification level is successfully completed, your logbook is signed and stamped so that any charter or rental fleet operator can see your level of competency. The most popular courses we offer are as follows:

Basic Keelboat Sailing Standard (#101)
Prerequisites: None
Sailors must sail a boat of about 20 feet or more in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required. Successful candidates earn a National Safe Boating Certificate approved by NASBLA and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Basic Coastal Cruising Standard (#103)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification
Sailors must cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.

Bareboat Chartering Standard (#104) - (Intermediate Coastal Cruising)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing and Basic Coastal Cruising Certification
An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a 30 – 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The Standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures.

If you have little or no experience, then we recommend that you start off with Course #101 and 103. If you are on a week's charter, these two courses are easily taught in 5 days, giving you a couple of days to practice your newfound skills at the end of the week or simply relax!

Those that have cruising experience and basic seamanship skills should also add Course #104 to their instruction. The three courses can be taught in one week, but don't forget you are on vacation too so you may want to extend a few days to fit in some R&R! Anytime is perfect to sail in our islands, but from July 10 to October 31st we offer 10 days for the price of seven on our yachts, so you can add three free days at no extra charge on the weekly rate!

ENJOY THE FREEDOM OF PRIVATE TUITION
If you would prefer to rent your own bareboat and learn to sail under private instruction, choose the yacht you would like to rent and we will be happy to give you a price on the bareboat fee. Add the ASA Instructor's fee of $175 per day (not including food or gratuity), and between $60 to $80 per person for the ASA Course Materials, depending on the courses taken. These fees do not include food or beverages.

A TYPICAL DAY WHILE LEARNING TO SAIL
We often get asked "what do we do on the course". Every one of our students come back and tell us how much they enjoyed themselves and are surprised that learning can also be fun! We have carefully selected our Instructors to ensure that they are excellent teachers, have the utmost patience and blend well with any group.

A typical day on one of our courses might start off in the Bight, Norman Island with a quick swim and a hearty breakfast. This would be followed by a briefing on Man Overboard Drills, including a discussion on different return procedures, how to get the person on board, hypothermia, lifejackets, etc. The designated captain for the morning is then asked for his course and destination, navigational hazards and aids that will be encountered on the way. Weigh anchor and all students have a turn at the helm and discuss other topics, such as "weather to sail!" Man overboard drills are practiced on the way to your next destination, Sandy Cay. Once the anchor is set, its time for lunch, followed by snorkeling the reef. Over lunch, the morning's sail and drills are discussed.

In the afternoon, discuss how to take a three-point fix. Designate the captain for the afternoon and ask him/her to discuss knots and their uses. Weigh anchor and set sail for your overnight anchorage at Cane Garden Bay. While under sail, each student takes a three-point fix and plots the positions. Anchor in Cane Garden Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the BVI, and debrief the afternoon's exercises and discuss collision regulations over a Sundowner! Go ashore to Quito's Gazebo for their wonderful BBQ chicken and ribs, and dance to the island music of Quito and The Edge!