Refine your sail trim, boat handling, and maneuvering skills while learning good crewmanship and teamwork.
117
ASA 117 Celestial EndorsementLearn to navigate by the sun and stars with the traditional skills of a true sailor.
ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement is the perfect entry point into the fascinating world of celestial navigation. In a world of GPS and electronics, mastering the timeless skill of navigating by the stars connects you to the traditional art of sailing. This course focuses on the essentials, giving you the knowledge and confidence to determine your position without relying on modern devices. Whether you’re planning long voyages or just want the reassurance of a backup navigation method, ASA 117 provides a solid foundation in using the sun, stars, and sextant to guide your journey.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
ASA 117 Basic Celestial Endorsement introduces the core concepts of celestial navigation, using a traditional sextant and a Nautical Almanac. You’ll learn how to calculate time conversions for navigation and determine sunrise, sunset, and twilight times for your vessel’s position. The course covers the operation of a traditional sextant, including taking accurate measurements of the sun and Polaris to determine latitude and longitude. By applying corrections and plotting your position on a chart, you’ll develop the skills to perform basic celestial navigation, ensuring you have a reliable navigation method, even when electronics aren’t available.
Prerequisites:
117 CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
It’s important to understand that simply enrolling in an ASA 117 course and attending classes doesn’t automatically guarantee certification. Our commitment is to the safety and competence of every sailor who takes to the water, which is why we’ve developed rigorous curriculum standards. These standards are designed to ensure you receive the highest quality education, equipping you with the skills and confidence you need to handle a boat safely. From sail trim to navigation, we hold you to a high standard, so when you earn your certification, you know you’re truly ready to skipper with skill and confidence. Safety isn’t just a lesson—it’s our priority, and these standards are what set you up for success on the water.
Download a PDF of the basic skills learned in this course. When you enroll in a certification course with a school, you will be taught each of these skills. Your ability to demonstrate these skills on the water and in the written exam determines whether you receive a certification or if you need more practice before receiving the certification.
To be successful in earning the certification, we highly recommend you study all available materials so that your time in class is used efficiently and effectively.
STUDY MATERIALS
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WHAT'S NEXT
ASA 103
Coastal Cruising
Prepares sailors for more advanced and independent cruising aboard larger boats and navigating coastal water.
ASA 105
Coastal Navigation
Learn traditional navigation skills and methods to explore new cruising grounds and handle the ever-changing conditions of coastal waters.
