Great Lakes Sailing

Overview
For a great location to sail that is close to home yet still out of the ordinary, try a course on the Midwest's Great Lakes. We offer courses in the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior, one of the top places to sail in the world and on Lake Michigan, in Ludington, MI.

At these Great Lakes locations, you can have an experience of a lifetime and not have to go through the hassle of air travel. The courses offered here are fun for all sailors, regardless of skill level, from novice sailor to Advanced Coastal Cruising skippers.
Basic Keelboat - Ludington, Michigan
 Basic Keelboat is taught by ASA-certified instructors on Lake Michigan near Ludington, MI.  This course is the prerequisite for most of our more advanced sailing courses.  Qualified graduates will become charter certified for day sailing on 22-25' keelboats.
Basic Coastal Cruising / Bareboat Chartering - Apostle Islands
 Basic Cruising (103) and Bareboat Charter (104) are taught on our 34'-36’ cruising auxiliary sailboats as a four-day liveaboard course. Course fee includes course materials - ASA textbooks, Sailing Fundamentals and Cruising Fundamentals, class notes and ASA Certifications.
Basic Coastal Cruising / Bareboat Chartering - Ludington, Michigan
Basic Cruising (103) and Bareboat Charter (104) are taught on our 34'-36’ cruising auxiliary sailboats as a four-day liveaboard course. Course fee includes course materials - ASA textbooks, Sailing Fundamentals and Cruising Fundamentals, class notes and ASA Certifications.
Bareboat Chartering - Apostle Islands
This is the second part of a two-part certification program. This is a three-day live-aboard course normally held on a 34-36' cruising auxiliary sailboat on Lake Superior. Students learn to maneuver the boat under power, dock, anchor, and navigate in differing weather conditions. Successful candidates will receive bareboat charter certification upon completion. Instructors are ASA certified as well as U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains.
Family and Friends
Many families have one or two members who are interested in being certified by ASA at any level. There may be one to four family members who would like to become familiar with the boat, contribute as crew, etc., but not have to meet the standards of ASA and Northern Breezes. Often these are the very crew the prospective certifying student will have on their own yacht, whether chartered or owned. The one or two members who are going to become certified in this course will be expected to meet all the national and international standards of the American Sailing Association for their certification level. The crew will be taught on a personalized basis based on age, interest and experience level. The crew will accomplish many skill sets and feel empowered as sailors. "Crew" will receive Northern Breezes' Crew Certification. We will do Family and Friends at every level from Basic Small Boat and Basic Keelboat through Advanced Coastal Cruising Offshore.
Crew Certifications
Northern Breezes awards crew certifications for sailors too young to be certified or not wishing to go through the rigorous ASA coursework who are attending class with a student being certified.  These certifications are offered at a discounted rate and are most often achieved through Family and Friends courses.
Advanced Coastal Cruising
 This is one of our favorite courses because it brings together everything you've learned before plus many new items such as night sailing and the rigors of a twenty four hour transit at a much higher level. This course teaches more advanced skills for the sailor with cruising experience. This is a four day live aboard course held on a cruising auxiliary sailboat
Cruising Catamaran
This is an advanced cruising course for sailors with cruising experience. Graduates are certified to act as skipper and crew of a 30-50 foot multihull sailboat by day in coastal waters. Students will learn all aspects of skippering a cruising catamaran.
Flotilla Sailing
 Are you an experienced bareboat skipper? Then set sail on a custom yacht of your choosing. You will be accompanied by a lead boat with a professional captain, technician and host from Northern Breezes. The lead boat will act as your event organizer, guide and support team.  Are you new to sailing or lacking a full crew? Join the crew of the lead boat or another boat captained by a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed Captain. This four day adventure will include a fun mix of organized and informal activities including skipper briefings each morning, dining aboard and dining onshore.

[Back to Northern Breezes Sailing School schedule.]

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