In this online class, discover why sailboats behave the way they do, learn essential maneuvering skills, and understand how to adapt to variable conditions so you can dock with confidence.
Have you ever spoiled a perfectly good sailing day by worrying about docking afterward? In this online class Captains Lisa & Andy Batchelor, writers of American Sailing’s Docking and Maneuvering Made Easy textbook, cover all the factors that affect sailboat maneuverability and docking. From basic principles to specific docking scenarios for both sailing monohulls and catamarans.
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ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW
Discover how a sailboat’s characteristics affect maneuverability under power, and how you can use those features to your advantage. Assess the local variable conditions to decide upon and communicate a plan of action. You will learn how to use spring lines and transits to counter the effects of wind and current. Andy and Lisa will explore several techniques to overcome mooring and docking challenges and discuss best practices for common and tricky situations.
Who is this online class for?
This online class is suitable for all levels of sailors who’d like to improve their understanding and skills to maneuver and dock a sailboat under power. It is an excellent complement to the ASA 118 Docking course.
What Will I Learn?
Learn why sailboats handle the way they do under power and how to use wind, current, and boat design to your advantage. You’ll gain practical techniques for confident docking, including planning your approach, using prop walk and spring lines, handling tight spaces, and managing challenging situations like short-handed docking or engine failure.
List of Topics:
- Vessel features affecting maneuverability
- Using prop wash, prop walk, prop blast
- Impact of shaft drive vs saildrive on maneuvering
- Single or twin rudder monohulls
- Monohulls and catamarans
- Effects of wind & current
- Using transits to hold a course or station
- Using dock lines, fenders, boat hooks
- Practice drills: dockside, open water, limited space, close quarters
- Docks: departing and arriving
- Mediterranean mooring
- Short-handed docking
- Docking with a failed engine
Calm at the Controls
Turn Nerves Into Confident Control
From tight slips to crowded fuel docks, you’ll build calm, repeatable habits through clear explanations and real-world scenarios. Learn how to plan your approach, communicate with your crew, and maneuver with purpose—so docking feels controlled, not stressful.
Master the Maneuvers That Matter Most
Understand how wind, current, prop walk, and boat design affect handling under power. Learn proven techniques for monohulls and catamarans, including spring lines, transits, short-handed docking, and managing challenging situations like limited space or engine failure.
Confidence Starts at the Helm
Whether you’re a newer sailor looking to dock with less anxiety or an experienced skipper refining technique, this online class builds the awareness, decision-making, and confidence that define smooth, safe boat handling in any conditions.
YOUR HOSTS
CAPTAINS LISA & ANDY BATCHELOR
Sail Solomons ASA School & Charter Base, Founders
Captains Andy Batchelor and Lisa Batchelor Frailey are both lifelong sailors and retired military officers. Andy served in the Royal Air Force in aviation and intelligence, and Lisa served in the US Navy in aviation, meteorology and oceanography – a combination of skills that have proven very useful to sailing and passagemaking. They founded and operated Sail Solomons ASA school and charter base, receiving numerous awards for ASA Outstanding School and Outstanding Instructors.
Andy and Lisa wrote ASA’s textbooks for Bareboat Cruising, Catamaran Cruising, and Dinghies and Outboard and are the primary contributors to ASA’s Advanced Cruising and Seamanship text. Their most recent book, Docking & Maneuvering Made Easy, is American Sailing’s new textbook for the ASA 118 Docking Endorsement. Lisa also regularly teaches the ASA 119, Marine Weather Endorsement.
Cruising for seven years onboard their Passport 47 ZINGARO and Outbound 46 KINETIC, Andy and Lisa have made numerous coastal passages and ocean voyages, conducting cruising and passagemaking training while living aboard in exotic locations. They also organize and lead sailing flotillas on cruising catamarans and monohulls in the Caribbean. Andy and Lisa are regular speakers at Cruisers’ University and present many live and virtual seminars.
Andy and Lisa launched Kinetic Sailing to offer marine consulting, charter brokerage, instructional yacht deliveries and tailored instruction with a global scope. They are USCG Captains, cruisers, instructors, analysts and business owners with a wealth of experience in the sailing industry.
ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION
Thursday, March 12th
@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (2 x 90 min)
Regular Price
$79
ASA Member Price
$59
ON-DEMAND ACCESS
All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.
ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT
American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you're not a current member, then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!
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