Short-Handed Sailing

with

John Neal

Team Mahina

Proven strategies for sailing safely with a small crew.

90-Minute Live Session

On Demand Replay Available

Live Q&A

Whether you're cruising with a partner or managing a passage solo, short-handed sailing demands unique tactics and mindset. When every task falls to just one or two sailors, preparation and strategy make all the difference. This course offers practical techniques to keep you safe, efficient, and confident when crew is limited.

FREE

Short-Handed Sailing

Online class overview

Short-handed sailing presents a rewarding yet demanding challenge. Without a full crew, each sailor must be ready to manage multiple roles—from navigation and sail handling to emergency response and boat maintenance. This course prepares you with tactics rooted in real-world experience and proven offshore best practices.Veteran sailor John Neal, who has logged over 400,000 offshore miles, shares the skills, tools, and mindset needed to sail safely and confidently with a small crew. Drawing from his decades of training and adventure, John outlines how to sail smartly, reduce fatigue, and prepare for the unexpected.Whether you’re cruising locally, voyaging offshore, or just want to be more self-sufficient on board, this class will help elevate your seamanship and decision-making.

Who is this online class for?

This class is ideal for sailors who regularly cruise as a couple, sail solo, or simply want to be better prepared in case of reduced crew. It’s also perfect for anyone planning offshore or coastal cruising and looking to increase confidence and capability when operating with limited hands.

What will I learn?

In this course, you’ll gain actionable insights from a master voyager. Expect practical solutions, gear recommendations, and essential protocols that can transform your short-handed experience from daunting to empowering.

List of topics:

Developing an Onboard Safety Ethic
Gear that Makes Short-Handed Sailing Safer
Communication Systems for Small Crews
Setting Up an Effective Watch Schedule
Preventing and Treating Seasickness
Weather Planning & Routing
Navigation Without Distraction
Creating Easier Sail Changes
Heavy Weather Tactics for Short-Handed Crews
Galley Tips for Easy Cooking Underway
Smart Docking and Anchoring Techniques

SAILING SELF-reliant

Sail smart, sail strong

When the crew is small, every decision counts. Whether you’re cruising as a couple or venturing solo, this course teaches you how to stay safe, efficient, and self-reliant on the water. From gear strategies to watch schedules, learn what it takes to thrive without backup. This is your playbook for managing real-life sailing with limited hands and maximum clarity.

Tactics, Tools, and Offshore Wisdom

Led by legendary voyager John Neal, this course blends 400,000 miles of offshore experience into clear, practical steps. You’ll learn how to prioritize safety, simplify sail handling, and reduce fatigue without sacrificing performance. From storm tactics to galley hacks, this class helps you prepare for anything, even when you’re the only one on deck.

For Couples, Solos, and Serious Cruisers

If you sail with one other person or often go it alone, this course is for you. Ideal for liveaboards, weekend cruisers, and those dreaming of bluewater passages, it gives you the mindset and skills to manage your boat with calm control. Because good seamanship doesn’t require a big crew, just the right preparation.

Your Host

John Neal

John Neal’s 400,000 offshore miles include six Cape Horn roundings plus expeditions to Antarctica, Africa, Australia, and Spitsbergen. Since 1976, John’s passion has been sharing his ocean cruising knowledge through 204 sail training expeditions aboard Mahina Tiare III, a Hallberg-Rassy 46 and various other yachts. John is author, co-author or contributing author of 17 books including Log of the Mahina. When John’s not at sea leading sail-training expeditions he teaches Mahina Offshore Cruising Workshops and offers boat purchase consultation services. Details on mahina.com

Get the class Bundle

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Online Class Registration

@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)

Regular Price

ASA Member Price

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!

Online Course
Course*
- Short-Handed Sailing
Tuesday September 9th, 2025 @ 4:30pm PT
ASA Certification
ASA Online Achievement Seal
- ASA Online Achievement Seal
  *recommended
  $19.00
By completing this entire course you can earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal - an official ASA seal that can be entered into your ASA Logbook!
Official ASA Logbook
- ASA Logbook
  $29.99
The ASA Logbook is a living document that chronicles your certifications and can also be used to keep a record of any and all sea-hours accrued along the way. If you chose to earn an ASA Online Achievement Seal and don't have an ASA Logbook then you *must* chose this option and purchase one.
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