I own and sail a 22 foot sloop mostly on inland lakes and, from time to time, out on Lake Michigan. I've overnighted a bit and feel confident in my skills. In the next few years, I'd like to charter a boat in the caribbean for a little vacation. I was wondering if it would make sense to take the ASA courses for certification. I realize I'll probably be a bit bored with the first two courses, but ASA won't let you take them out of succession. Of course, I've always believed you can ALWAYS learn something. Any experience with this sort of thing? What would you do?
ASA courses and chartering?
- Thread starter Seadogg
- Start date
- Status
Take Basic Coastal Cruising ...
For an additional fee, you can "pass out" on "Basic Keelboat". I did this and I think it is definitely worthwhile. I agree that with your experience, it isn't necessarily worth the effort to go thru basic sailing, but you will get much worthwhile instruction in BCC and get the certificate for both. It can't hurt with your desire to charter. After you take BCC, you can decide whether it is worthwhile to advance to "Bareboat Charter" and ACC. I want to eventually, but haven't yet. I am hoping to charter a J30 in Chicago later this month for a short day sail. I am hoping they accept the 2 certificates that I have and experience on our 27' Starwind.
For an additional fee, you can "pass out" on "Basic Keelboat". I did this and I think it is definitely worthwhile. I agree that with your experience, it isn't necessarily worth the effort to go thru basic sailing, but you will get much worthwhile instruction in BCC and get the certificate for both. It can't hurt with your desire to charter. After you take BCC, you can decide whether it is worthwhile to advance to "Bareboat Charter" and ACC. I want to eventually, but haven't yet. I am hoping to charter a J30 in Chicago later this month for a short day sail. I am hoping they accept the 2 certificates that I have and experience on our 27' Starwind.
Contact some charter companies
and see if the ASA courses mean anything to them. I'm sure it can't hurt. You can test out of the basic keelboat, that I know for sure. If the charter wants to know level of experience, you should probably document this in a sailing resume which gives you instant credibility. Some charters may require a captain to go out with you for a while to see your competence level.
and see if the ASA courses mean anything to them. I'm sure it can't hurt. You can test out of the basic keelboat, that I know for sure. If the charter wants to know level of experience, you should probably document this in a sailing resume which gives you instant credibility. Some charters may require a captain to go out with you for a while to see your competence level.
Requirements vs skills and confidence
The content of the ASA Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering courses help you become well prepared for your first big boat charter experience. In fact, many schools will teach these two courses in a one week trip in the BVIs. You get a vacation and your course work. Material covered in these two courses includes basic navigation, boat systems, safety on bigger boats, etc., all great topics for someone transitioning from smaller boats. That said, the charter companies are surprisingly easy to please if you have a good sailing resume, pay attention in the boat briefing, and have a credit card with a good balance remaining. I think the key is whether you feel you are ready to manage a 35-45 foot boat in 3-5 foot seas and 15-25 knot winds, using line of site navigation, anchoring out and picking up moorings, running the dinghy, while applying lots of common sense and managing your crew as you stay safe and enjoying your first Caribbean charter. I should mention I am an ASA instructor and teach all the above courses...
The content of the ASA Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering courses help you become well prepared for your first big boat charter experience. In fact, many schools will teach these two courses in a one week trip in the BVIs. You get a vacation and your course work. Material covered in these two courses includes basic navigation, boat systems, safety on bigger boats, etc., all great topics for someone transitioning from smaller boats. That said, the charter companies are surprisingly easy to please if you have a good sailing resume, pay attention in the boat briefing, and have a credit card with a good balance remaining. I think the key is whether you feel you are ready to manage a 35-45 foot boat in 3-5 foot seas and 15-25 knot winds, using line of site navigation, anchoring out and picking up moorings, running the dinghy, while applying lots of common sense and managing your crew as you stay safe and enjoying your first Caribbean charter. I should mention I am an ASA instructor and teach all the above courses...
I thought ASA
had a "challenge" policy. You pay a testing fee and take the end of course test for whatever certification you were looking at and if you pass, you are certified. If you fail, you cannot be certified without taking the class. If it's not ASA, then it might be US Sailing.
had a "challenge" policy. You pay a testing fee and take the end of course test for whatever certification you were looking at and if you pass, you are certified. If you fail, you cannot be certified without taking the class. If it's not ASA, then it might be US Sailing.
My ASA Experiences
I thought that my ASA courses were quite valuable. I challenged ASA101 and passed - basically off the strength of my small boat background, I took ASA103/104/105. Among the things that you might need to learn moving up from a 22' boat: Diesel power handling, bigger boats glide a lot farther before they slow down and do more damage if they hit the dock, even at low speed & you can't stop them "by hand". Making sure your winch skills are "safe" and will not take fingers off. Being comfortable with a wheel instead of a tiller. Navigational skills as you go further from home waters. MOB drills in the larger boat - different rigging and handling characteristics make it a bit different than a 22' boat. I'd challenge ASA101, take ASA103/104 on a boat with a diesel and a wheel. I think that you will be glad that you did. A lot of charter companies also require ASA105 (coastal nav); that is a good course as well. OC
I thought that my ASA courses were quite valuable. I challenged ASA101 and passed - basically off the strength of my small boat background, I took ASA103/104/105. Among the things that you might need to learn moving up from a 22' boat: Diesel power handling, bigger boats glide a lot farther before they slow down and do more damage if they hit the dock, even at low speed & you can't stop them "by hand". Making sure your winch skills are "safe" and will not take fingers off. Being comfortable with a wheel instead of a tiller. Navigational skills as you go further from home waters. MOB drills in the larger boat - different rigging and handling characteristics make it a bit different than a 22' boat. I'd challenge ASA101, take ASA103/104 on a boat with a diesel and a wheel. I think that you will be glad that you did. A lot of charter companies also require ASA105 (coastal nav); that is a good course as well. OC
Challenges to ASA certification levels
From the ASA website: :quote The ASA "Challenge" Sailors who consider themselves qualified to ASA Standards may "Challenge" the ASA Standards at any ASA Certification Facility. To challenge the Standards one must progress successfully through the ASA system of Standards. :endquote I agree with OldCat, you should start by challenging Basic Keelboat at a local ASA school, and with your experience and assuming you have acquired knowledge of the rules of the road, proper names for parts of the boat, etc., you should not have a problem. Then, to gain knowledge and experience on larger, more complex boats, as well as to get a taste of the charter experience, consider taking the next two levels in the BVIs as I mentioned in the previous post. Then you're ready to go charter your own boat. I'd recommend you have another one or two persons on your first charter who can assist you in handling the lines and steering, and play it safe on your first trip.
From the ASA website: :quote The ASA "Challenge" Sailors who consider themselves qualified to ASA Standards may "Challenge" the ASA Standards at any ASA Certification Facility. To challenge the Standards one must progress successfully through the ASA system of Standards. :endquote I agree with OldCat, you should start by challenging Basic Keelboat at a local ASA school, and with your experience and assuming you have acquired knowledge of the rules of the road, proper names for parts of the boat, etc., you should not have a problem. Then, to gain knowledge and experience on larger, more complex boats, as well as to get a taste of the charter experience, consider taking the next two levels in the BVIs as I mentioned in the previous post. Then you're ready to go charter your own boat. I'd recommend you have another one or two persons on your first charter who can assist you in handling the lines and steering, and play it safe on your first trip.
One more item
One more item, before you try to take the ASA exam to challenge a course - get and read their book or literature for ASA101 so that you know what will be on the written exam. When I did it they used a book by Gary Jobson, but I am not sure that they still do this. OC
One more item, before you try to take the ASA exam to challenge a course - get and read their book or literature for ASA101 so that you know what will be on the written exam. When I did it they used a book by Gary Jobson, but I am not sure that they still do this. OC
One more item to the last one...
The Coast Guard Aux offer a course called Lets go sailing. The boat has all the terms you'll need to know. I would consider taking it if you not a veteran sailor. When I tested out of 101 they let be read the book they had for the instructor. It was easy!
The Coast Guard Aux offer a course called Lets go sailing. The boat has all the terms you'll need to know. I would consider taking it if you not a veteran sailor. When I tested out of 101 they let be read the book they had for the instructor. It was easy!
My experience
I had been sailing small boats off and on for 18 years and had some formal training before I took ASA 101/103 together on a Pearson 28. Six months later I reserved a Jenneau 37 in the Leeward Islands. When I arrived at the charter base, the Jenneau wasn't available, so they offered me a Beneteau 400 for the same price. The only stipulation was that I take and pass a check ride with one of their captains (at my expense). Up to that point, the Pearson was the biggest boat I had ever sailed. While filling out the paperwork, the base manager (a Brit) told me that they didn't place much stock in sailing resumes or ASA certifications. What they REALLY want to see is how well you handle their boat. He also advised that for future reference, a log book was by far the best proof of experience. They don't tell you that when you're booking the boat, but I gather it's one of those situations in life where if you have to ask... The captain began with by briefing me on all the boat systems. Then I had to motor away from the dock, anchor out, motor out to sea, raise all sails, navigate a wide, roughly circular course out in the open ocean, run an MOB drill then sail back to the sea-buoy using chart and compass only. I also had to show that I knew how to operate the toilet. Apparently it gets more abuse than anything else on the boat. It was all over in about three hours and I passed with flying colors. It turned out to be a great charter!!! In retrospect, many of the skills I picked up in the ASA courses came in very handy on the check ride, especially piloting and anchoring. The base manager's leniency may have been partly due to the fact that business was slow (it was late November) although I'm sure the security deposit also helped. Peter H23 "Raven"
I had been sailing small boats off and on for 18 years and had some formal training before I took ASA 101/103 together on a Pearson 28. Six months later I reserved a Jenneau 37 in the Leeward Islands. When I arrived at the charter base, the Jenneau wasn't available, so they offered me a Beneteau 400 for the same price. The only stipulation was that I take and pass a check ride with one of their captains (at my expense). Up to that point, the Pearson was the biggest boat I had ever sailed. While filling out the paperwork, the base manager (a Brit) told me that they didn't place much stock in sailing resumes or ASA certifications. What they REALLY want to see is how well you handle their boat. He also advised that for future reference, a log book was by far the best proof of experience. They don't tell you that when you're booking the boat, but I gather it's one of those situations in life where if you have to ask... The captain began with by briefing me on all the boat systems. Then I had to motor away from the dock, anchor out, motor out to sea, raise all sails, navigate a wide, roughly circular course out in the open ocean, run an MOB drill then sail back to the sea-buoy using chart and compass only. I also had to show that I knew how to operate the toilet. Apparently it gets more abuse than anything else on the boat. It was all over in about three hours and I passed with flying colors. It turned out to be a great charter!!! In retrospect, many of the skills I picked up in the ASA courses came in very handy on the check ride, especially piloting and anchoring. The base manager's leniency may have been partly due to the fact that business was slow (it was late November) although I'm sure the security deposit also helped. Peter H23 "Raven"
More Experience & training is always good
but if you are doing this because you think the carrib charter companies require it, guess again. I recall recently reading someplace (I think it was Atts and Latts) about a guy that did the training, memorized everything he could about rules of the road, markers, navigation etc and basically worried himself to death for a charter in the BVIs. Thought he was going to be tested and sent home if he failed. the reality was that the charter company did their briefing (where to go, where not to go, weather etc) and said have fun. No test, no interrigation under a spot light, nothing. I know from personal experience that some folks they let charter down there had NEVER been on a sailboat (and probably shouldn't have been those times too). So if you want training/certification for your own needs, great. by all means do it. But IMHO its not required on the charters in the BVI.
but if you are doing this because you think the carrib charter companies require it, guess again. I recall recently reading someplace (I think it was Atts and Latts) about a guy that did the training, memorized everything he could about rules of the road, markers, navigation etc and basically worried himself to death for a charter in the BVIs. Thought he was going to be tested and sent home if he failed. the reality was that the charter company did their briefing (where to go, where not to go, weather etc) and said have fun. No test, no interrigation under a spot light, nothing. I know from personal experience that some folks they let charter down there had NEVER been on a sailboat (and probably shouldn't have been those times too). So if you want training/certification for your own needs, great. by all means do it. But IMHO its not required on the charters in the BVI.
- Status