Learn to Sail Lesson Reviews

These audio lessons are the best thing for a novice sailor since a roller furling jib. If don’t know a roller furling jib from a jibe. Then you need these lessons. Seriously not only does the author do a great job explaining the parts of a boat, sailing terms and getting you ready to pass the ASA exams. He keeps you entertained with his real life experiences. So much so, I’d bet even the most experienced sailor will enjoy having a set.

I listen to them on my daily commute. They make the time fly by. The topper is. He has a website, from there you can send him messages. I had a question and he responded with the answer the same day. Great sailor, great communicator, great guy! I can’t wait for the next release.

Hope to see you on the water,
Lew

I have enjoyed Franz’s Sailing in the Mediterranean podcast for almost as long as I’ve been sailing, so when I heard about his ASA 101 lessons, I had to check them out. They were the perfect thing to get me through the dark, cold Michigan winter. franz has a very easygoing style and presents these lessons almost as though he was telling stories about his sailing trips.

But the lessons aren’t just entertaining. They are carefully organized and full of the information beginning sailors need to know and more experienced sailors ought to review. I’m beginning my fourth summer of sailing, and I’ve already completed the 101, but I still found the lessons well worth my money. (Unfortunately I didn’t get in on Franz’s giveaway, but I’m glad to write a review for him anyway.)

If you are looking for audio sailing lessons, these are very informative and fun to listen to.

(Note: This review applies to the complete course, all 3 volumes.) This was a great course! The instructor speaks at a good pace, clearly, and has a nice voice. Going into it, I didn’t think this course would be effective in an audio format, but the lack of visuals and the great descriptions may have made it even more effective than a course with visual materials! Being forced to imagine, based on descriptions, the different parts and scenarios being described improved my retention of what is a massive amount of information. The instructor does a wonderful job of describing things.

The instructor’s stories also help improve the “learnability” of this course, because after you learn a concept, the instructor will walk through a real-life situation involving that concept, providing a good review and context for the lessons. My critiques are limited and minor, and likely personal to me: Sometimes the digressions went on a bit too long, and shortening some of them up could help shorten up the class overall, which would be a good benefit, since the audio course is about the same length as the in-person courses I’ve found. I also found the “whistle” lesson difficult, because the instructor dives into “whistle conversations” before laying out in details what each whistle means. Finally, I was sometimes unclear on what information was actually required for the course, and what was being taught simply because it’s good information to have, but not required for the certification.

My final praise for this item is that I enjoy having it in an audio format, as it’s easy to go back and refer to it when I have questions. (And I don’t have to keep around bulky books or paper to do so.) This is a great course, and after listening through once and reviewing a few things for a second time, I feel well prepared for the exam.

My husband was one of the people who took Franz up on his offer to receive the pod casts free in exchange for an honest review. I am helping him with the review, so it is a combination of both of our opinions from my stand point.

I am a power boater and have only been learning to sail out of love for my husband of 8 years. Very slowly has he been teaching me, as he has been teaching himself with the help of books, a friend, and hands on. He is wanting to get more serious about sailing and wants to get certified, which means that I need to know how to sail too. I find sailing very enjoyable, but I get frustrated, as it doesn’t come as natural to me as I would like.

I do not enjoy reading and need to be taught by real people, Franz has been a good teacher. I am learning a lot. Every now and then I feel he is a little to basic, and then he throws in something I have never heard of. My husband enjoys the side stories about real events, I do as well, but sometimes it throws me off because I am not as comfortable with all the terms.

Franz is easy to listen to, If I can listen to him anyone can. He has a lot of experience and seems to know exactly what to do to prepare you for the test without boring you to death. My husband has listened to almost all of the lessons as well as his other pod casts and enjoys him very much. Time will tell when the test comes. Although I have taken the some of the sample tests in the ASA book and have done well after listening to Franz.

If you are looking for audio lessons, you have found the right one.