california sailing academy

I initially chose CSA due to their varied class schedules and beautiful Website for Captains classes and I could continue working in the evenings at a maritime company while taking classes. During my excellent classes, I met an owner of a large luxury yacht who was also taking Captain Millers class for insurance purposes. The owner offered me a position as second mate when we finished the course. We have now completed extensive cruising of the South Pacific and I will be returning to CSA for the 100 ton Upgrade while the vessel is in the shipyard and promotion to first mate. The CSA School is excellent along with their manuals and staff. Captain Miller is an excellent instructor with a lifetime of experience aboard many large ships. Mathew Wright

Always use CSA for USCG training courses and all levels of Sailing courses!!I have taken most of the courses offered at CSA, both USCG-approved courses and endorsements, including sailing and navigation related. CSA is the best; best facility, personalized instruction, and hands-on experience with the equipment. Nothing gets missed and no students or related topics get left behind. Valuable training -- Overall, a terrific experience to use the rest of your life and for your Coast Guard License.

This is foremost in the country. Operated by a commissioned Officer and Annapolis Naval Academy graduate. Uses all the latest equipment from Power Point, to smart boards they have it. Beautiful facilities. Always visit these type of businesses for full evaluation.

I had the pleasure of taking both the 100 ton Master course and the Celestial Navigation course at California Sailing Academy and found both courses to be very complete and professionally conducted. Both courses prepared me for the respective Coast Guard examinations, which I passed on the first effort. The director and his assistant instructors are well prepared, helpful and patient. It is a great facility in a beautiful setting at Marina Del Rey. I recommend CSA highly to anyone interested in improving his or her nautical skills.

I enrolled in the USCG required 80-hour celestial navigation course. The completion of this course was a requirement for my license. The course ran way over 80 hours. Although it was scheduled for 3 hours/night during the weeknights, the instructor/owner was never on time and usually insisted on having dinner during the course, which was a huge distraction. All materials were an extra fee, and the instructor continuously tried to sell his own materials to make a buck. Before enrolling in the course, the instructor/owner told me he would be available for help all the time. After the course had begun, his assistance was less than par and he told me that his help was a favor to the course. His vessel, upon which he held my practical had caught fire numerous times. After consulting the USCG at the completion of the course, I found out that there was subject material on the USCG exam which Mr. Miller (owner/instructor) intentionally omitted. I had to re-enroll in another course which was absolutely phenomenal, Maritime Institute in San Diego, CA. Aside from hearing Mr. Miller say, "Boat N**ger" during the course on occasion, it is obvious his courses are geared more toward the pleasure boaters. If you need anything for a USCG license, from my experience I was far from prepared.

Our entire family took all the courses. They were the best

Impeccable. Everything is right in this place. Attitude, knowledge level, and equipment. If you want to learn to sail, or want to learn to do an offshore passage, this place is it.