ASA 103/104

[JoshGray]

My Dad and I will be taking a combo 103/104 course out of Southport, NC next week. We're really looking forward to being on the ocean (in a 50' Tayana!), providing, of course, that the next few hurricanes/TD's spare us. I'm hoping you guys could give me some tips/recommendations. I'm not particularly worried about the course material or test as I've lived and breathed sailing for the past several years. More looking for suggestions along the lines of: "make sure and do this" or "don't even think of doing that" or "make sure the instructor give you the opportunity to do this" That type of thing. Thanks in advance, I'm about to pop waiting for Wednesday.

Apologies if this posts twice, there was some issues with the intertubes the first time I tried.

Fair winds,

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

Took 103 Last May

Josh, My wife and I took the 103 course together and we found it very informative and worth our time and money. I specifically told the instructor that I was weakest in Navigation so guess who was the navigator. My wife told the instructor sail trim, guess what she was in charge of. Everybody did everything but by focusing on our weaknesses everybody learned more. Enjoy the class its alot of fun.

 

[JoshGray]

Thanks Scott

I guess I picked an inopportune time to ask this question, it being sailing related and all. Thanks for pulling yourself away from the great "Insurance Fraud/Libelous Slander" thread which everyone seems so eager to feed.

I would also like to focus on the navigation/chart aspects of the course. I was fearing that there wouldn't be too much of it in these two courses. I'd also like more experience anchoring. I've never had any problems anchoring, but I've always anchored under the best of conditions. I'm actually hoping that one of these storms sends some nasty seas our way. Bound to encounter them sooner or later and I can't imagine a better time than when I'm with a skilled instructor. What did you think of the test? My Dad is a bit nervous, I don't think he's had to study anything in quite some time! Haha, old folk.

Cheers, and thanks again for the reply.

Fair winds,

 

[KathyL]

Tell Dad...

Not to worry about the tests. As was stated earlier, tell the instructor where you feel weak and that's what he'll concentrate on. It was a great experience for us, and taking the test every evening made it pretty much a snap. Enjoy and I hope the weather cooperates for you. That was the one thing we didn't get was any heavy weather sailing. Sure could've used it later.

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

Test was a breeze

I got a 97.5 on the exam I am not bragging I just simply read the book ahead of time, and the instructor went through a mock test on the boat before we took the written test. Your dad will do fine. Enjoy