Hi all, I'm really excited about this: I'm enrolled in ASA 101 and 103 sailing courses in Sarasota for this May! The courses cover Basic Keelboat and Basic Coastal Cruising certification. Have folks on our forum taken these certifications? I've read many articles about ASA (and US Sailing) sailing school but would be fun to hear individual stories here. (Knock on wood) Our usual spring/summer/fall afternoon t-storms have yet to materialize here in Florida and the weather for Sunday is predicted to be another knockout --mid 80's, winds WSW 10mph, only 10% chance/precip. My wife and I are planning to trailer the 170 over to the St. Johns River between Orlando and Jacksonville. Will give a full report of the day next week! Happy sailing, Mike G.
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I took then in February
Mike I took then in February through Bluewater Sailing School in Ft Lauderdale. The instruction was concise, informative and very professionally presented. We sailed to Key Largo and back and had opportunity to see the beauty of your state. Bob N S/V Miss Lisa
Mike I took then in February through Bluewater Sailing School in Ft Lauderdale. The instruction was concise, informative and very professionally presented. We sailed to Key Largo and back and had opportunity to see the beauty of your state. Bob N S/V Miss Lisa
Fantastic
Bob, That sounds terrific. I looked into Bluewater as well. Did you liveaboard during your coursework? I know that some of their classes are... Looking forward to the classes in Sarasota. You're right, Florida's quite beautiful (and diverse) and offers so, so many great sailing venues! Best, Mike
Bob, That sounds terrific. I looked into Bluewater as well. Did you liveaboard during your coursework? I know that some of their classes are... Looking forward to the classes in Sarasota. You're right, Florida's quite beautiful (and diverse) and offers so, so many great sailing venues! Best, Mike
Did my courses in SF Bay
...at Tradewinds Sailing School, which takes you gradually up in boats from 22 to 40 ft. It blows right smart there, so it is excellent training for dealing with less-than-ideal conditions. Docking and anchoring in every wind condition are natural happeniongs. It was a great experience. My wife and I split into separate classes for our last two weeks, which was good for both of us. She's more confident, and I am less protective/bossy (depending on who you ask). End result: we know own a 37 ft Hunter Cherubini, and are comfortable with it. Fair winds, S. s/v Good News
...at Tradewinds Sailing School, which takes you gradually up in boats from 22 to 40 ft. It blows right smart there, so it is excellent training for dealing with less-than-ideal conditions. Docking and anchoring in every wind condition are natural happeniongs. It was a great experience. My wife and I split into separate classes for our last two weeks, which was good for both of us. She's more confident, and I am less protective/bossy (depending on who you ask). End result: we know own a 37 ft Hunter Cherubini, and are comfortable with it. Fair winds, S. s/v Good News
It was a "test" for me
This sailing school was a test for me as I’ve only been sailing my H23 for 4 years and the biggest water I’ve experienced was a big lake in S.D. so being out where legal discharge was permitted (but NOT practiced) showed that I could learn to grow “sea legs”. We spent the entire week aboard most night on the hook.
This sailing school was a test for me as I’ve only been sailing my H23 for 4 years and the biggest water I’ve experienced was a big lake in S.D. so being out where legal discharge was permitted (but NOT practiced) showed that I could learn to grow “sea legs”. We spent the entire week aboard most night on the hook.
Lessons = good thing
Mike, I took the courses since I had not sailed in a few years. Mine were two weekends apart on a Hunter 29. It's worth it to review all you know, learn stuff you didn't know and find out how much more you need to know.
Mike, I took the courses since I had not sailed in a few years. Mine were two weekends apart on a Hunter 29. It's worth it to review all you know, learn stuff you didn't know and find out how much more you need to know.
Sailing school comments and 170 day
Awesome comments, Wright et al. I'm definitely looking fwd. to learning many new technical things (winching, c.g./c.e./c.l.r. and other "basic" stuff that I've never needed to know -sailing h170 and Laser mostly) and also experiencing some nice Gulf sailing- I've only ever sailed intercoastal and inland lakes. Sailed with family friends who owned a 30' keelboat on the Severn/Chesapeake when I was 4 to 8 years old, but I don't remember any "lessons", obviously. Oh by the way, I got the 170 out onto the St Johns River in Palatka, FL Sunday. The breeze didn't fill in until nearly 3pm but then until 6pm was great sailing. I actually reefed the main for a time as the weather helm got to be a bit toilsome for a nice, relaxing Sunday sail! Shook the reef out as evening settled in. Great breeze, just heeling the boat over. The jib on the 170 really pulls that boat amazingly well. Can spill the mainsail quite a bit and maintain speed on the jib alone...but lee helm wasn't too bad this day. Great comments again. Can't wait! Mike G.
Awesome comments, Wright et al. I'm definitely looking fwd. to learning many new technical things (winching, c.g./c.e./c.l.r. and other "basic" stuff that I've never needed to know -sailing h170 and Laser mostly) and also experiencing some nice Gulf sailing- I've only ever sailed intercoastal and inland lakes. Sailed with family friends who owned a 30' keelboat on the Severn/Chesapeake when I was 4 to 8 years old, but I don't remember any "lessons", obviously. Oh by the way, I got the 170 out onto the St Johns River in Palatka, FL Sunday. The breeze didn't fill in until nearly 3pm but then until 6pm was great sailing. I actually reefed the main for a time as the weather helm got to be a bit toilsome for a nice, relaxing Sunday sail! Shook the reef out as evening settled in. Great breeze, just heeling the boat over. The jib on the 170 really pulls that boat amazingly well. Can spill the mainsail quite a bit and maintain speed on the jib alone...but lee helm wasn't too bad this day. Great comments again. Can't wait! Mike G.
ASA in St Augustine - my experience
I did all my ASA schools at St Augustine Sailing. They covered ASA 101 and 103 by sending the course materials ahead of time for self-study at home and spending an intense two-day weekend on the water. They used a 30 ft cruising boat (I think ASA 101 was set up for open keelboats up to 26 ft) and covered basic piloting, anchoring, MOB recovery and boat systems like the inboard diesel, electrical and marine sanitation. We had a great instructor, a Brit who had done eight Transatlantic passages (including three solo) and was planning his ninth, also solo. Instead of staying in protected waters inshore, he took us a few miles out into the ocean. The experience was so good that I did ASA 104 (Bareboat Charter) there a year later. That was even better. We did a four-day school (including an overnight pasage) aboard a Hunter 37. I'd recommend this school highly to anyone in the eastern US. Some other thoughts... ASA 101 is not for complete rookies. I noticed (not surprisingly) that the students who had some basic small-boat sailing skills and a handle on the terminology did far better than those who were literally stepping aboard for the first time. Having a little experience allowed me to concentrate less on the things I already knew and focus more on grasping the things that I didn't. For some reason, the other people in my class wanted to steer a lot. Apart from docking under power (which I hadn't done before) I pretty much let them have the wheel. In the process I learned a lot more about the rest of the boat, plus valuable lessons in anchoring and sail trim. Small-boat sailors are the best. The response of the boat to changes in trim is immediate, the feedback from sheets and tiller is clear and accurate, and inattention or carelessness will capsize you in a heartbeat. Don't be awed by larger boats. They're exactly like your 170, just bigger and heavier. Ask lots of questions...it's your money and the time will go surprisingly quickly. Have fun! Peter H23 "Raven"
I did all my ASA schools at St Augustine Sailing. They covered ASA 101 and 103 by sending the course materials ahead of time for self-study at home and spending an intense two-day weekend on the water. They used a 30 ft cruising boat (I think ASA 101 was set up for open keelboats up to 26 ft) and covered basic piloting, anchoring, MOB recovery and boat systems like the inboard diesel, electrical and marine sanitation. We had a great instructor, a Brit who had done eight Transatlantic passages (including three solo) and was planning his ninth, also solo. Instead of staying in protected waters inshore, he took us a few miles out into the ocean. The experience was so good that I did ASA 104 (Bareboat Charter) there a year later. That was even better. We did a four-day school (including an overnight pasage) aboard a Hunter 37. I'd recommend this school highly to anyone in the eastern US. Some other thoughts... ASA 101 is not for complete rookies. I noticed (not surprisingly) that the students who had some basic small-boat sailing skills and a handle on the terminology did far better than those who were literally stepping aboard for the first time. Having a little experience allowed me to concentrate less on the things I already knew and focus more on grasping the things that I didn't. For some reason, the other people in my class wanted to steer a lot. Apart from docking under power (which I hadn't done before) I pretty much let them have the wheel. In the process I learned a lot more about the rest of the boat, plus valuable lessons in anchoring and sail trim. Small-boat sailors are the best. The response of the boat to changes in trim is immediate, the feedback from sheets and tiller is clear and accurate, and inattention or carelessness will capsize you in a heartbeat. Don't be awed by larger boats. They're exactly like your 170, just bigger and heavier. Ask lots of questions...it's your money and the time will go surprisingly quickly. Have fun! Peter H23 "Raven"
Sounds great, Peter.
Thanks for your very informative response, Peter. I've a little over one month to go until my 101/103 classes in Sarasota. I've received my study materials and can't wait to get out on the water with the instructor. Mike G.
Thanks for your very informative response, Peter. I've a little over one month to go until my 101/103 classes in Sarasota. I've received my study materials and can't wait to get out on the water with the instructor. Mike G.
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