San Francisco Bay Skipper Starts with 103

1st Tier Skipper = ASA-103 BASIC COASTAL CRUISING

To ASA-101, add the freedom of sailing in semi-open waters of the challenging San Francisco Bay with Confidence. Learn about tides and current and how to sail smart through them. Introduction to Navigation using charts to plot then sail a compass course as a zero visibility exercise everyone loves. Add emergency drills and drills for safety at sea. Certified when able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as either skipper or crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat up to 30/32 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions. PM Lecture, 4 days sailing on SF Bay waters + 2 optional practice days. Usually taken over 2 weekends.

Option - DOCKING MASTERY - ASA 118

The pros say you are only as good as your last docking. The most damage is done in and round the marinas - not some adventurous tale of battles with wind and wave. Learn to dock like a champ in just 2 days. There are a few important tricks we can show you to be able to handle a variety of boats. If your own boat is a challenge, bring it to class. Fits with Bay Skipper or Chartering.

Get Charter Ready for World-wide dream vacations in regions brisk or warm. This next series is what Yacht rental firms are looking for and you want to complete. Bare Boat Chartering, Coastal Navigation and perhaps Cruising Multi-Hull are a passport to fun adventures.

2nd Tier - ASA-104 BARE-BOAT CHARTERING

Friday, meet in the AM to prepare the boat. Sail the Bay to a mooring field the first night. The 2nd day use your CON skills to sail both day and night in the North Bay. After the night sail, anchor the 2nd night. In BBC learn 5 ways to anchor, COB - Quick Stop style, add diesel troubleshooting and how to dock a larger vessel. Great course that includes a fun live-a-board trip. Most sought after certification for Vacation Charters and Insurance companies for owners of mid size to large boats up to 50 feet.

ASA-105 COASTAL NAVIGATION

Are we there yet? If not when? What course do I drive? Coastal Navigation is the course you need to know how to determine these important questions. When fog rolls in, the rain pounds, the sun sets, or the horizon is without land in sight, a crew counts on the navigator and/or skipper to answer both correctly and quickly. Required course before ASA-106. Recommended to take ASA-105 before 104. Then ASA-104 can be a practical on flat waters for this valuable course. (4 days or 6 evenings and 1 day if local to our office.)

Option for 2nd Tier - ASA-114 CRUISING MULTI-HULL

Cruising Multi-Hulls are a very popular choice for sailing vacations. There is less heel and many designs of modern production Most cats sail a bit faster than the average mono-hull but must stick to Close Reach vs going hard to weather. Learn about the differences in how they handle under sail and power. Get used to the wide hulls in docking and how to bridle for anchor. PM Lecture plus 2 full days sailing SF Bay. Can be combined with 104.

Thinking of Oceans to cross and coasts to explore? Start with two days of 'Sea Legs'. Perhaps try a weekend at a near port. Then head offshore with the advanced series for sailors with Ocean dreams and cruising plans.

3rd Tier - ACC-106 ADVANCED COASTAL CRUISING

Sailing in open waters means being prepared to take care of your boat, crew and get them from point A to B safely. Sail down then back up our challenging stretch of the Northern CA Pacific coastal waters over 5 days. Excellent course for those interested in cruising, sailing in open waters or ocean racing. It usually takes 3 days to get used to the way the ocean waves roll. Suggest an Ocean Intro prior to this course. Can combine as a Full week

ASA-107 CELESTIAL NAVIGATION

Master the art that aided all those who followed Columbus across the oceans of the world. Celestial Navigation continues as a back up for serious navigators and for ocean cruisers. The game - how close can you get comparing to a GPS. The purpose - When a GPS fails, ready to work out courses on your own. ASA - has both a short and long version of the Celestial course.

ASA-108 OFFSHORE PASSAGE MAKING

Dreaming of sailing further offshore? If your dreams include sailing away, there is a course for you. Requires all previous courses plus preparation homework. The course includes sailing over 100 miles from shore where the reflection waves stop and it is just the roll from the ocean swells or clashing weather systems. Plan, prepare a boat, provision for the trip, store all gear then sail away and back over a week.

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