My wife and I are thinking about taking a class (probably in southern California) to become bareboat certified. Does any one have any recommendations for or warnings against sailing schools in that part of the world? Also, do charter companies care whether you hold a certification from US Sailing or American Sailing Association? Thanks in advance for any comments.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
Did need a certificate several years ago.
Bob: I chartered in USVI several years ago and they did not require anything. Just talk to them, told them we had sailed for about 8-10 years at the time. I would suggest that you find out from the charter company what they require before you go. May I also suggest that you check out some of the San Francisco Bay sailing school. My wife and daughter took lessons last year at Trade Winds in Richmond, CA. Reasonable prices and good teachers. They even let you stay aboard the boats at nite if available. They have package deals that you can do. It's cheaper if you have more people and better deals during the week too. Check it out at www.tradewindssailing.com PS: Some of their boats are Hunters
Bob: I chartered in USVI several years ago and they did not require anything. Just talk to them, told them we had sailed for about 8-10 years at the time. I would suggest that you find out from the charter company what they require before you go. May I also suggest that you check out some of the San Francisco Bay sailing school. My wife and daughter took lessons last year at Trade Winds in Richmond, CA. Reasonable prices and good teachers. They even let you stay aboard the boats at nite if available. They have package deals that you can do. It's cheaper if you have more people and better deals during the week too. Check it out at www.tradewindssailing.com PS: Some of their boats are Hunters
M
Michael McCann
Certification
Bob; Steve has had the same experience as I. Most charter co.'s only want you to have experience on or near the size you are going to charter. My first charter was a 34, and at the time I was sailing a 25. I had some experience on a 40, and that was enough for me to charter the 34. If you are not experienced enough then you would want to get a certification. Michael
Bob; Steve has had the same experience as I. Most charter co.'s only want you to have experience on or near the size you are going to charter. My first charter was a 34, and at the time I was sailing a 25. I had some experience on a 40, and that was enough for me to charter the 34. If you are not experienced enough then you would want to get a certification. Michael
S
Steve W.
Just did a 10 BVI charter in June....
I have only been sailing a few years, have owned a 21' and currently own a 28' Newport, 95% protected inland water sailing. We used Tradewind Yacht charters and they did not require a bareboat certificate. They are more interested in your ability read a chart, do line of sight navigation, know how to find the markers and channels and your experience with an inboard diesel powered sailboat, and of course, your credit cards.I have taken the USCGAUX Advanced Navigation course, $35.00, and it was a help, but not necessary. Check out the companies web site, print out their sailing resume's, send them in and get preapproved for the size you qualify for. I qualified for a 40 footer with Moorings and Tradewinds, with just my wife as crew. The bareboat certification thing kind of seems unnecessary to me. Have a great trip!
I have only been sailing a few years, have owned a 21' and currently own a 28' Newport, 95% protected inland water sailing. We used Tradewind Yacht charters and they did not require a bareboat certificate. They are more interested in your ability read a chart, do line of sight navigation, know how to find the markers and channels and your experience with an inboard diesel powered sailboat, and of course, your credit cards.I have taken the USCGAUX Advanced Navigation course, $35.00, and it was a help, but not necessary. Check out the companies web site, print out their sailing resume's, send them in and get preapproved for the size you qualify for. I qualified for a 40 footer with Moorings and Tradewinds, with just my wife as crew. The bareboat certification thing kind of seems unnecessary to me. Have a great trip!
G
Gary Wyngarden
Get References!
Bob, I've been to school twice with the same company. The first time through was great. The skipper was both knowledgeable and a good teacher. I went through three levels of ASA certification, the most advanced of which was the Bareboat, and it was very helpful to me. A couple of years later I went back to the same company and brought my wife. She did the same three levels that I had, and I did two additional levels up through Advanced Coastal Cruising. Unfortunately this time the Captain was not well informed enough to teach me what I needed to know. He was also disdainful of all students' errors and God forbid you might question him on any decision he might make. We went aground one night because of inadequate swing room at anchor. Another night using a Mediterranean moor in St. Barts, the anchor dragged (it hadn't been set) and we smashed into the dock. He was in a drunken sleep in his bunk and had to be shaken to get him up to help reposition the boat. His answers to some questions were flat wrong and as I said, he belittled all students for their lack of knowledge. This is not meant to discourage you because I think these schools can be an excellent learning tool. However, before booking any of them, I would want to speak with students who had been through the course with the captain who would be teaching you for the week. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
Bob, I've been to school twice with the same company. The first time through was great. The skipper was both knowledgeable and a good teacher. I went through three levels of ASA certification, the most advanced of which was the Bareboat, and it was very helpful to me. A couple of years later I went back to the same company and brought my wife. She did the same three levels that I had, and I did two additional levels up through Advanced Coastal Cruising. Unfortunately this time the Captain was not well informed enough to teach me what I needed to know. He was also disdainful of all students' errors and God forbid you might question him on any decision he might make. We went aground one night because of inadequate swing room at anchor. Another night using a Mediterranean moor in St. Barts, the anchor dragged (it hadn't been set) and we smashed into the dock. He was in a drunken sleep in his bunk and had to be shaken to get him up to help reposition the boat. His answers to some questions were flat wrong and as I said, he belittled all students for their lack of knowledge. This is not meant to discourage you because I think these schools can be an excellent learning tool. However, before booking any of them, I would want to speak with students who had been through the course with the captain who would be teaching you for the week. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
L
Les Murray
J World in San Diego
I attended a J-World course in Newport, RI and got my Bareboat cruising certificate (US Sail). I have since chartered in San Diego and USVI. I put a link to J World in San Diego. I have found, like others, that charterers are not necessarily interested in certificates but instead experience. The nice thing about the schools though is that they generally do a good job teaching you what you need to know about running and maintaning a big boat. You can get up to speed fairly quicklky. I feel pretty confident about my sailing abilities with a 35' - 45' boat. Good luck, Les Murray S/V Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
I attended a J-World course in Newport, RI and got my Bareboat cruising certificate (US Sail). I have since chartered in San Diego and USVI. I put a link to J World in San Diego. I have found, like others, that charterers are not necessarily interested in certificates but instead experience. The nice thing about the schools though is that they generally do a good job teaching you what you need to know about running and maintaning a big boat. You can get up to speed fairly quicklky. I feel pretty confident about my sailing abilities with a 35' - 45' boat. Good luck, Les Murray S/V Ceilidh 86 C-36 #560
D
Debra Blatnik
classes are a good way to build confidence
If you don't have a lot of time on big boats, a class can be just the way to start. They also cover things that as a guest on someone's boat you won't learn. Checking the engine and the water flow, cleaning the knot meter, checking the oil, safety equipment, etc. And of course they do man-overboard-drills.
If you don't have a lot of time on big boats, a class can be just the way to start. They also cover things that as a guest on someone's boat you won't learn. Checking the engine and the water flow, cleaning the knot meter, checking the oil, safety equipment, etc. And of course they do man-overboard-drills.
G
Gary Baggett
Club nautique
Club Nautique has facilities at Marina Del Rey in So. Cal. and three locations on the San Francisco Bay. Bareboat classes are held on new or newer Hunter boats of 30 feet or more. I've taken the courses and highly recommend them.
Club Nautique has facilities at Marina Del Rey in So. Cal. and three locations on the San Francisco Bay. Bareboat classes are held on new or newer Hunter boats of 30 feet or more. I've taken the courses and highly recommend them.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.