By Jenny McCain, ASA Instructor and Director of Educational Development
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Table of contents
The Appeal of Teaching Sailing
I’ve lost count of how many sailing students have said to me during a course, “Gosh, this would be a great job.” My response is always the same: “Yes, it is—except for the stormy days!”
The life of a sailing instructor is unique. We’re independent contractors, making our own schedules, and most of what we teach comes from personal experience. We’re equal parts safety experts and sailing experts, handing out as many “be careful” tips as “how to sail well” tips.
And the reward? Watching a student go from nervous on day one to confidently docking a yacht by the end of the week is an incredible feeling.
What Makes an Effective Instructor
At American Sailing, we’ve been refining this question for more than 40 years. A good instructor needs two things: knowledge and skills.
Students must demonstrate proficiency at the end of each course, but instructors take that further. We need to know sailing content flawlessly, model skills without hesitation, and—perhaps most importantly—explain our thought process as we make decisions.
For example:
“See that vessel approaching on starboard? I’m considering whether to get out of their way, and I’m scanning for other boats before I make a move.”
That kind of clear, in-the-moment communication is what transforms nervous beginners into confident sailors.
Personality Traits That Shine
Being a strong sailor isn’t enough. The best instructors tend to share certain qualities:
- Patience with students who struggle
- Clear, adaptable communication skills
- Confidence in modeling skills and maneuvers
- A willingness to learn alongside students
- The ability to balance teaching through example with stepping back to let others take the helm
If you love sailing but also love helping people succeed, you’re halfway there.
The Basics You’ll Need
Here’s the short list of requirements to get started as an ASA instructor:
- Sailing experience (varied and consistent)
- A desire to keep learning as you teach
- A U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license if you’ll be teaching on Coast Guard waters and the boat has an auxiliary engine
- American Sailing certification through an Instructor Qualifying Clinic (IQC)
- A sailing school willing to hire you at the certification levels you hold
- A comfortable life jacket you’ll wear every day
Other helpful items—like a pocket knife, a small toolbox, or reference books—can come later. Many schools also provide shared resources.
Building Experience Before You Teach
If you’re still relatively new to sailing but already imagining yourself in the instructor role, don’t worry. Keep stacking up experiences:
- Take ASA courses and progress through certifications
- Buy a boat, if it fits your lifestyle
- Join a race crew to sharpen skills
- Spend time on longer cruises
The more diverse your sailing experience, the stronger a teacher you’ll become.
Why the Sailing World Needs You
Let’s be direct: there’s a shortage of sailing instructors. Schools have boats, classrooms, and students ready to go—but not enough instructors to meet demand.
If you’ve ever dreamed of teaching, now is the time. Whether you’re mid-career looking for a change, or retired and wondering “what’s next,” instructing is rewarding, flexible, and fun. And yes, you really do get paid to go sailing.
About the Author
Jenny McCain is an ASA instructor and the Director of Educational Development at American Sailing. She has dedicated her career to improving sailing education and supporting instructors worldwide. For questions about becoming an instructor, email her at jmccain@americansailing.com.
Join The Discussion
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Ever thought about teaching sailing?
If you love being on the water and enjoy helping others learn, becoming a sailing instructor might be the perfect next step. It’s flexible, rewarding, and there’s actually a big need for more instructors right now. Check out this article by Jenny McCain (@Jenny) and learn more about the traits that make a great teacher and how to get started:
https://americansailing.com/articles/ready-set-instruct/
americansailing.com
Dreaming of a career on the water? Becoming an ASA sailing instructor offers freedom, flexibility, and the chance to share your passion for sailing while helping others grow their skills. The world needs more instructors, why not you?
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