ASA 104

If you have 4 in your pod, can expand the attendees to 4, but otherwise the course size had reduced to 3 till March. Hours have moved half hr early to start at 9am. Aiming to be back at the school on the last day, by 3pm, for the written exam.

Three days of sailing with a 1 over-night of anchor watch, staying aboard required and 1 night the students stay but the instructor(s) leave. For this class during the C-19 adjustments, a marina the group decides in advance to visit for the 2nd night, only the students stay aboard. The instructor will leave by 5pm. This is a guided experience in visiting new places and exploring the world by water. Fun. Glamping one could say.  The instructor will help guide but ultimately it is the group's choice and their ability to find out where they can go by boat, that is open.

This 3 day sail-away course is the certification that vacation charter companies worldwide, and most San Francisco Charter companies, are looking for. It is the certification that make insurance companies breathe a sigh of relief for new boat owners. The ASA-104 course is Fun with a wealth of information and new skills for all. The course is about 30 hours of training - sleep is allowed. If thinking of living aboard - a Fun live-aboard learning experience.

Must read the ASA 104 book BareBoat Cruising Made Easy and take the written tests prior to arrival for the course. Be prepared to discuss the quiz questions on the way out to the Bay on the first day and that evening.

Planning for the course starts 1 to 2 weeks in advance of the course date using emails. The group of students plan out workable menus of things to cook aboard (not pre-made/re-heat food). Each student is responsible for the menu item, it's required provisions, checking for allergies and food preferences. Each attendee will be cooking at least one of the meals aboard. Can pre-assemble once aboard such as after breakfast, can make lunch sandwiches, wrap and store them for later, before getting underway.

A much more thorough pre-cruise prep, including deciding on which dinghy and outboard engine are going with your boat, can start the night before the course if 2 or more from your class group attend with the majority of the rest involved by zoom. The boats used are 35'. Could be either a mono or multi-hull for the course. Mono-hulls have an easier time getting berthing at visited marinas this time of year, but the cat is more comfortable. If a double class, two boats going, will raft up on anchor watch night, after anchoring 5 different way per boat. Clipper Cove is a calm snug harbor that is great for this activity.

Packing for the weather of the class days requires a weather check. Due to weather, the night of anchor watch can change from 1st to 2nd night.

For your growning 'Sea Bag': add a red light head lamp and simple 'rigging knife' to the foul weather gear and boots, inflatable life-vest with harness and a 6' tether. Some bring binnoculars, hand bearing compasses, handheld VHF radios... The sea bag is filling in by ASA 104.

Each participant can bring aboard 1 bag for clothes, 1 'sea' bag, a sleeping bag/sheet/pillow, small ditty bag with toieleties and towel. The boats have showers if water is conserved. We take a potable water hose and a shore power cord to be able to replenish when stop at the marina for the night.  Several marina's visited have showers on shore, at or near the marina office. When looking for a destination marina that accepts visitors, their faciliities and near by restaurants need to be checked. What was written about marina facilities prior to March 2020 may be different - must call to see what is available. Many small businesses, especially restaurants, are out of business or on limited hours. Delivery on the other hand has vastly improved.

As with all Afterguard courses but especially this one, must get 100% on the skills before allowed to take the written test. Can take the 100 question test after cleaning up the boat upon return to home port. If running late, can return for the test up to 30 days out, but must test at our facility.