*NO BOOKINGS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME*
Whether your goal is to captain your own boat through the Caribbean, or just join with friends on an afternoon sail, Lightheart Sailing will equip you with the skills and experience you need to sail safely, joyfully and confidently.
Our lead instructor is Captain Peter Branning, named one of the American Sailing Association's elite "Outstanding Instructors." Peter has been sailing, cruising and racing sailboats all his life. He has won six state championships, three national championships and two North American championships as well as many offshore sailboat races. He has coached the American Optimist Dinghy Team, College Single-Handed Champions and PHRF sailors up and down the East Coast. He currently teaches American Sailing Association courses, sailing team clinics, and individual sailing lessons. He is a licensed US Coast Guard Captain and Master with endorsements in Sailing, Towing, and Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping.
Scroll down to learn about Individual Sailing Lessons or ASA courses.
Individual Sailing Lessons
Move at your own pace, building the skills you need toward confidence, independence and pleasure under sail. Using your boat or ours, we can create lessons to match your goals, needs and timing. Ideal for:
new boat owners or soon-to-be owners
out-of-practice sailors
experienced sailors wanting to upgrade their skills
new sailors who prefer to extend their lessons over a period of time
spouses developing skills as a co-captains or mate and captain (no yelling allowed!)
Instruction is booked in 3-hour blocks for 1-2 people. $250 per block for instruction only. Boat rental, if required, is extra.
American Sailing Association Courses
Lightheart Sailing is affiliated with Virgin Island Sailing School, accredited by the American Sailing Association. ASA has accredited over 300 sailing schools throughout the U.S. and abroad, and has certified nearly half a million sailors to date. ASA courses teach to established sets of standards, and are packed with practical knowledge and on-the-water skill development.
Our courses are offered on St. Croix, with extended courses available in the US/British Virgin Islands. We also can come to you, to teach you in your own waters on your own boat, or in a location and on a boat of your choosing. We require a 2-person minimum in our courses.
Whether you are a first-time sailor, or an experienced salt looking to upgrade your skills and knowledge, our ASA courses will take you to new levels of proficiency and fun in sailing.
ASA 101: Basic keelboat sailing
Learn to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat of approximately 20 to 27 feet in length by day in light to moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn basic sailing terminology, parts and functions, helm commands, basic sail trim, points of sail, buoyage, seamanship and safety including basic navigation rules to avoid collisions and hazards. (Note: The United States Coast Guard has granted approval for ASA101 Basic Keelboat Sailing to satisfy certain merchant mariner credential examination requirements and safe boating training requirements.)
Prerequisites: None
Time: 2-3 days, 9am to approximately 5pm
Location: St. Croix
Cost: $650 for 2 days (2-person minimum). Optional 3rd day $250. Instructor, boat, ASA fees included. You will need to purchase and study the ASA textbook "Sailing Made Easy," available HERE.
asa 103: coastal cruising
Learn to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered 25'-35' keelboat by day in moderate winds and sea conditions. Learn cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather, safety and seamanship.
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) certification
Time: 2 full days, 1 night aboard at dock
Location: St. Croix
Cost: $775 per person, 2-person minimum. Instructor, boat, ASA fees included. Provisioning extra. You will need to purchase the ASA textbook "Coastal Cruising Made Easy," available HERE.
ASA 104: Bareboat cruising
Learn how to sail a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered 30'-45' sailboat during a multi-day cruise upon inland/coastal waters in moderate/heavy winds and sea conditions. Learn about provisioning, boat systems, auxiliary engines, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation, anchoring / mooring, docking, emergency operations, weather, and more.
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA101) and Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA103) certifications.
Time: 2 full days and nights, live-aboard.
Location: St. Croix
Cost: $875 per person, 2-person minimum. Instructor, boat, ASA fees included. Provisioning extra. You will need to purchase the ASA textbook "Bareboat Cruising Made Easy, " available HERE. (Note: If you would like to do this course in St. Thomas, St. John or the British Virgin Islands rather than St. Croix, additional fees will apply for repositioning the boat, plus mooring fees and BVI government fees.)
Vacation Package: ASA 101, 103, 104
If you'd like to have a stunning sailing vacation and at the same time prepare yourself to sail your own boat or bareboat charter, this combination package is for you. We begin and end in Red Hook, St. Thomas or Cruz Bay, St. John, and sail throughout the northern US and British Virgin Islands, stopping for snorkeling and trips ashore as well as packing in all three ASA courses. (Use the three curriculum buttons above to see what your courses will cover.)
Prerequisites: None.
Time: 7 days, 6 nights, live-aboard.
Location: Northern Virgin Islands
Cost: $2450 per person, 2-person minimum. Instructor, boat, ASA fees included. Provisioning, mooring and BVI government fees extra. You will need to purchase the 101-103-104 textbooks, available as a bundle from ASA HERE.
Note: You may join in Lightheart's open-water crossing from and/or St. Croix for an additional $100 per leg. You may sleep aboard the night before and/or night after for an additional $75 per person per night.
ASA 105: coastal navigation
Learn the the navigational theory and practices for safe navigation of a sailing vessel in coastal and inland waters. On-water coastal navigation skills elements are contained in the ASA103, Basic Coastal Cruising, ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising, and ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising, in progressively increasing levels of detail. Contact us for additional information.