Notes:

• Unlike driving, diving or flying, sailing has no license or certification as an absolute requirement to own a boat or charter a "bareboat" with no crew. Bareboat rental firms look for experience and/or instruction, and many guests find that spending the charter focusing on Cruising Skills allows more time to learn to sail safely and confidently as a couple or family. Cliff can provide a letter of recommendation outlining what you have learned.
• You must complete ASA 101 at a local ASA school before arrival.
• ASA 103 and 104 instruction must be arranged before the charter. It is vital that you complete all assigned reading in advance.
• If you already have the skills of an ASA level, you can "challenge" that course by demonstrating the skills and passing a written test. We suggest you challenge at a local ASA school , so you have more time to learn advanced skills and enjoy paradise on Solstice.
• ASA is $20/person/level, plus you buy books. ASA 103 and ASA 104 is $40/person.
• After being pampered on Solstice you may never want to bareboat!

ASA 103 - BASIC COASTAL CRUISING

This course covers deck skills, simple coastal navigation and chart skills, rules of the road, basic maintenance, first aid, provisioning, helming, radio operation and simple passage planning. A certified student can cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on a 20-30' sailboat with an engine in moderate winds and sea conditions. Includes a written test (takes most students about 1.5 hours).

I. Sailing Knowledge

• Identify more boat parts and describe their functions.
• List federally required and ASA recommended safety equipment.
• Describe the most important reasons for keeping gear and equipment stowed in assigned places on a boat.
• Describe the purpose and proper use of the safety equipment. Describe proper fueling and fire precautions.
• Describe required navigation lights between sunset and sunrise when under sail, power, and at anchor. Apply Navigation Rules by diagram and practice.
• Interpret marine weather forecasts and weather changes applicable to the area and apply the information to future sailing plans.
• Describe actions and precautions during times of reduced visibility.
• Describe the correct sail combinations for various wind and sea conditions, including reefing.
• Read and interpret a NOAA nautical chart. Demonstrate basic navigation knowledge.
• Describe anchoring procedures, site selection and dangers of a lee shore.
• Describe the immediate action to be taken during various emergencies.
• Identify responsibilities of skipper and crew.
• Describe one use for 6 basic knots.

  II. Sailing Skills

• Demonstrate on land correct methods for putting on a personal flotation device in the water and using safety equipment.
• Inspect vessel gear and equipment. Use and care for equipment, including winches.
• Safely start an auxiliary engine and outboard motor. Stop and secure engine for the night.
• Handle the boat under power, understand vessel's momentum, maneuver to and stop within two feet alongside a dock.
• Act as skipper while under power to recover a person overboard.
• Select anchorage, securely set anchor and check for holding. Weigh anchor and get underway under power.
• Sail a compass course for 5 minutes, varying no more than 10 degrees.
• Function as helmsman and crew giving correct commands and responses while demonstrating the proper technique tacking, jibing, and on all points of sail.
• Describe proper preparatory and executions commands for all ASA 103 sailing skills included, including reefing, heaving to, and person overboard recovery under sail.
• Tie to various docks with limited movement with fenders. Secure a vessel for the night at a dock and at a mooring.
• Tie 7 basic knots with time limits.

ASA 104 - BAREBOAT CHARTERING (Intermediate Coastal Cruising)

Covers preparation for sea, further yacht handling under sail and power, passage-making and handling of a yacht under adverse weather conditions, safety, meteorology, yacht maintenance and crew supervision. A certified student can act as skipper or crew of a 30-50' boat sailing by day in coastal waters. Knowledge of boat systems and maintenance included. Includes a written test (takes most students about 2 hours).

I. Sailing Knowledge

• Discuss planning for longer cruising, including fuel and water capacity, first aid kit, menu planning and provisioning, galley procedures, spare parts, documents and procedures for crossing international borders.
• Describe and discuss actions for various engine problems.
• Describe sea breeze and land breeze effects, conditions which cause fog, and proper weather watch.
• Describe 2 methods of getting a person overboard back on board in open waters.
• Describe the information required and the procedure for tying a boat to a fixed dock in areas with a large tidal range.
• State factors to be considered before allowing swimming while at anchor.
• Describe methods and potential dangers of rafting at anchor.
• Describe proper usage and launching of a dinghy and outboard engine at anchor.
• Describe marine head operation and precautions to prevent malfunction.
• Describe common yacht courtesies and customs.

  II. Sailing Skills

• Perform daily and weekly engine maintenance procedures and troubleshooting.
• Check systems and equipment, demonstrate proper operation, and related safety procedures.  
• Locate and check condition of all U.S. Coast Guard required equipment aboard.
• Apply 72 COLREGS Navigation Rules 1 -19 to maintain safe navigation.
• Maneuver under power in a confined space, docking and mooring under various conditions.
• Demonstrate suitable methods and precautions for launching and towing a dinghy.
• Demonstrate two different ways of returning to a person overboard in moderate winds.
• Sail a compass course with sails set properly while reaching and running.
• Read a nautical chart and identify corresponding landmarks and aids to navigation.
• Plot a course and determine compass heading and E.T.A., take a fix with visual bearings.
• Determine the depth above or below chart datum using tide tables.
• Pilot a boat into an unfamiliar harbor or anchorage by day using a nautical chart and tidal information.
• Obtain and interpret the marine forecast, adjust daily float plan accordingly.
• Set and retrieve two anchors, establish anchor watch.
• Act as skipper and crew on a live-aboard cruise of at least 48 hours.

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