ASA Sailing School
Why Big Water?
There are two main reasons Big Water Marina is the perfect place to learn the beautiful art of sailing.
First, Big Water Marina has been a cerified ASA (American Sailing Association) teaching facility since 1999. And since our founding, our niche market has always been the sailor. We will strive to better facilitate your search to sail just as we have for our customers for over 25 years.
Secondly, no one can beat our location. Big Water Marina is located in a beautiful wooded cove along the southern end of Lake Hartwell, South Carolina only two miles from the Lake Hartwell dam. We enjoy the largest open expanse of water on Lake Hartwell to provide sailors with excellent open water conditions for great sailing. Lake Hartwell itself is located on the South Carolina/Georgia line and offers 56,000 acres of water and 962 miles of shoreline. Hartwell offers plenty of open water perfect for sailing, while wooded islands, secluded coves, parks, and recreational areas making it a cruiser’s delight.
Our Staff
Our Director/Instructor is Captain Buddy Price, a USCG licensed Master Captain with sail endorsement and a certified American Sailing Association Instructor. He has been sailing for over 35 years with experience ranging from local lakes and small boat sailing to blue water ocean yacht deliveries and exotic destinations. Captain Buddy is an experienced skipper with an easy going personality and is a great teacher for sailors of all abilities.
Our Courses
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Basic Keelboat Sailing (BKB 101) |
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Objective |
Learn how to sail a boat of about 20 ft in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision |
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Description |
A 3 day course (Fri - Sun) consisting of classroom time and hands-on time on our 25ft sailboat |
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Location |
Big Water Marina |
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Prerequisites |
None |
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Cost |
$525 per person |
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Basic Keelboat Sailing (BKB 101) |
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Objective |
Same standards as BKB 101 but this course is designed for the "limited experience" sailor |
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Cost |
$425 per person |
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Basic Coastal Cruising (BCC 103) |
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Objective |
Able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 ft, in moderate winds and sea conditions |
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Description |
This course is designed for ASA Basic Keelboat (BKB 101) certified sailors and "experienced" or "limited experience" sailors who wish to challenge the BKB 101 standard. |
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Location |
Charleston, SC |
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Prerequisites |
Basic Keelboat Sailing |
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Cost |
$600 per person |
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Bareboat Chartering (BBC 104) |
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Objective |
An advanced cruising standard for individuals with cruising experience. The standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures. |
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Description |
This course is designed for ASA Basic Keelboat (BKB 101) and Basic Coastal Cruising (BBC 104) sailors. The course consists of a fun-filled, exciting 4 day cruise. Our crew will board on Thursday evening and depart Friday morning. We will cruise/live aboard until our return Sunday night. |
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Location |
Charleston, SC |
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Prerequisites |
Basic Keelboat Sailing and Basic Coastal Cruising |
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Cost |
$700 per person |
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Coastal Navigation (CON 105) |
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Objective |
Able to demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. There is no sailing skills part to this standard and practial application of this sailing knowledge is found in the Advanced Coastal Cruising Standard. |
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Description |
This course is a home study course. |
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Location |
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Prerequisites |
None |
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Cost |
$165 per person |
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"Challenge the Standard" |
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Objective |
For experienced sailors. Sailors can obtain ASA certification through this non classroom self study class. |
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Description |
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Location |
Big Water Marina |
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Prerequisites |
None |
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Cost |
$150 per person |
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Hire Our USCG Captain |
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Description |
Learn how to sail on your own boat! |
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Cost |
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| 4 hours | $85 | |
| 8 hours | $135 | |
