Schedule
American Sailing Institute’s mission is to provide enjoyable, safe, hands-on education, in the timeless tradition of sailing on our beautiful Michigan Lakes.
Would you like to take the helm, and confidently and safely pilot 18′ Interlake sailboats on Kent Lake or Stony Creek Lake, or keelboats on Lake St. Clair or even the North Channel of Lake Huron? You Can!
How it works
New members and students start by taking our Level 1 sailing classes. This class will teach you the basics of sailing: rigging a boat, holding a course, tacking, jibing, and docking. Level 1 classes are taught on our fleet of 18′ Interlake centerboard sailboats at Kent lake (West Side) and Stony Creek (East Side). After successfully completing this class and passing the Level 1 tests, you become a “rated” club member and may use the L1 Interlake boats at Kent Lake and Stony Creek whenever you want! Just show up and grab a boat.
If you crave something bigger, after you’re achieved an L1 rating you may take our Level 2 class on Lake St.Clair. This class is taught on our 28′ or 30′ cruising sailboats. In this class you’ll learn to rig, navigate, motor, anchor, and dock a powered sailboat. The class includes a day-long trip to Lake St. Clair Metropark. After completing the Level 2 class tests, you may timeshare one of the Level 2 keelboats for a 1/2 day or more, to practice what you have learned and improve your skills. These boats sleep 4+, and have a head (marine toilet), galley, and a diesel engine. You may sail these boats anywhere on Lake St. Clair!
Still not satisfied? Level 2 members may take our Level 3 class to learn the art of cruising. In this class, you will learn how to plan and execute extended sailing adventures. You will learn route planning, provisioning, charting, weather reading, marine radio protocol, and use of sailboat electronics. The class includes a two-day trip to the Canadian side of Lake St. Clair. This class is taught on our 32′ foot cruising sailboat, and after completing this class and tests, members may timeshare it. Or . . .
Take a week-long transfer trip where an instructor will travel with you while you sail from Lake St. Clair to the North Channel of Lake Huron! You’ll learn the joy of “gunk-holing in the channel.” When you complete your transfer trip, you may timeshare an L4 cruising boat in the channel for a week or more every summer!
ASI Instruction Includes
- An introduction class, where you will have a chance to see the boats, help do the rigging, and get the “feel” of a sailboat.
- Two shore school sessions in a classroom, where you will learn the basics of water safety, sailing terms, boat terminology, wind and weather.
- Two all-day on-water sailing classes, with lots of “hands-on” practice.
- Free Access to Interlakes with Mentors or member volunteers giving practice sails.
- Free water testing and written testing to obtain your L1 sailpass.
- Our L1 sessions are in May, June, and September (see links below).
Please fill in the form and the ASI Sail Secretary will contact you with more information about the registration and payment details.
Sail with us at Stony Creek Lake at Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Twp. MI or at Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan.
Unlimited use of Interlake boats
After qualifying, you can take the L1 boats out as the skipper as often as you like, consistent with some common-sense rules, of course. For example, ASI does not allow single-handed sailing. You’ll learn more about this in the classes.
Practice sails
As a Student Sail Pass holder (unrated), you can take practice sails with our rated sailors (Mentors and/or Water Instructors) as often as you want.
Tests (written and water)
You can take the Level 1 tests when you feel ready.
Becoming a Rated Sailor
Unrated members have two years to get the Level 1 rating but getting the Level 1 rating can be easily accomplished after your classes in the same year. The program was designed that way. If for any reason you are unable to complete your rating in two years, just sign up for the class again. If you believe you have a situation that needs review, we offer a process for that thru our Operations Team, just let us know.
