Learn how to make safe and expedient coastal “outside” passages between Florida and Maine.
Cruising the US East Coast offers tremendous opportunities for cruisers, and copious material is available for those cruising the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). But what if your boat’s draft or mast height is unsuitable for ICW cruising? Or maybe you’d just like to experience cruising on the ocean? Learn the what, when, and how to safely cruise the (outside) ocean route.
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ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW
Why make the outside passage instead of using the ICW? It’s faster, more direct, allows 24/7 sailing or motoring, and gives you a welcome break from bridge schedules and speed restrictions. In this online class, veteran passagemakers Lisa & Andy Batchelor share their knowledge and experience to help you make safe and gratifying coastal passages. They’ll address appropriate seasons, routes, navigable inlets, safe harbors, weather, resources and strategies for coastal passagemaking along the US East Coast, from Florida/Bahamas to Maine.
Who is this online class for?
This online class is designed for new and veteran boaters preparing to expand their cruising horizons. Whether you plan to make short hops or long passages, this online class will help you prepare to cruise “Outside.”
What Will I Learn?
Learn what drives the seasonal migration patterns, how to assess and select suitable inlets and harbors, and how to determine weather windows. Discover valuable navigation, weather, and cruising resources.
List of Topics:
- Initial considerations for offshore legs
- Seasonal patterns – climate and wind patterns
- Inlets and harbors – assessing the factors for safety and suitability
- Cruising by segments: Florida, Georgia to Virginia, Chesapeake & Delaware, New Jersey to Block Island, Block Island to Cape Cod, Cape Cod to Down East
- Marine weather implications and typical “weather windows” for northbound or southbound travel
- How and when to use the Gulf Stream
- Outfitting for coastal passages
- Resources Guide
Master the Ocean Route from Florida to Maine
Cruise the Coast with Confidence
Making outside coastal passages doesn’t have to be intimidating. In this online class, you’ll learn the essential timing, routing, and seamanship skills to move safely and efficiently along the US East Coast—whether you’re hopping between inlets or sailing overnight offshore.
Outside Passages, Made Clear
Discover why many cruisers choose the outside route over the ICW and how to do it safely and smartly. Lisa and Andy break down everything from seasons and weather windows to inlet selection, offshore segments, and strategies for handling real-world conditions along the East Coast corridor.
A Smarter Way to Move Up the Coast
Learn what makes outside passages efficient and rewarding: fewer bridges, fewer restrictions, 24/7 travel, and a chance to experience open-ocean cruising. Through expert instruction and decades of passagemaking experience, you’ll gain the clarity needed to choose the right route, season, and plan for your voyage.
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
@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)
Regular Price
$39
ASA Member Price
$29
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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