ASA 106

Boat still in recovery. New issues discovered. Prepped first day - went home. Started trip day 2 - ended trip at the Gate. Stayed over that night and sailed home 2nd day.

ASA 106 preparation includes passage planning, vessel inventory and loading, provision planning and loading, close quarters boat handling, sail inventory, running rigging inspect and learn to use all of it. Go thorugh the storm sail set up, drouge deployment for the boat used. During the trip will do both day and night offshore crew overboard return and recovery. Work on skippering techniques for all weather conditions, navigation underway in all conditions -including in restricted visibility, watch rotation planning and doing, pilotage and knowledge of the Inshore and offshore International Collision Regulations.

During the 5 day sail for ASA 106 106 is a 5-day ocean adventure course sailing along the beautiful California Coast.  Includes at least one straight through overnight sail, minimum of 18hr sailing in shifts. Most trips are from SF to points south. Stops can include Half Moon Bay, Ano Nuevo, Santa Cruz, Moss Landing, Monterey or/and Carmel Bay. How far we get, depends on the well-being of the students.

If new to offshore sailing, recommend taking one or two days of our 'Sea Legs' to get used to the motion of the ocean sailing to reduce the chance of sea sickness. If planning offshore adventures of your own - perhaps the Heavy Weather Strategies weekend learning how to deploy drogues, sea anchors, set storm sails with a focus on just that over 2 days. If bad weather must be dealt with and weather mandates, can be broken into 2x 3-day weekends not going farther than 35 mi from the Golden Gate.

Students should expect to get together on-line or/and in person the week prior. There is a lot included in the sail planning. Destinations will vary by time of year. When there is more wind, can reach 120 M south to Monterey+. In less windy months, may only go half way there. The cost of fuel used is paid by participants in the course. Start with a full tank. Must return with same.

Provisioning is done in a similar fashion to ASA 104. Each participant selects meals /times and suggests menu items they would like to prepare underway, at anchor or at a marina on the trip. Must share and then be concious of food allergy or restrictions others on the trip so all have a great time. This has proved the best way to spread the meal expense.  There is a final provision check before loading up, in case staples or needed items are missed can hit the store one more time before take-off. Have to prepare the food to be loaded as provisions. Boats do not have large refrigeration. Dry Ice might be used. Inside storage mini-Hammocks, low lockers next to the hull. Uppers that keep things dry... load the provisions, one gear bag one clothing bag and sleeping bag and double check all offshore gear and push off. May dock at the begining of trip near the gate or if can get going may sail to Half Moon Bay or if all aboard are doing OK then we keep going till our southern destination is reached.

This stretch of unforgiving California coast is a great aid to learning with an experienced teacher. Learn how to avoid the many and possibly costly mistakes plus experience a multitude of conditions. Low wind of mid Monterey Bay or high winds and waves of Ano Nuevo. Will gain the valuable knowledge and confidence in how to handle the many issues of self-reliance needed by offshore sailors. Great class to take before venturing out on your own boat. This course can save you serious money plus make your future ocean adventures much more fun for you and those who sail with you when you cast off the dock lines.

Sea life along the CA coast that may be seen is amazing. Check the wild life reports SF to Monterey to see what to watch and watchout for on the trip. Have seen many whales, a few orcas, many different kinds of dolphins. Most love music with dolphin or whale song in it. Bring some - we have a speaker to turn the boat into a hydro-phone. Once saw a thrasher shark, just cruising along the surface, but he was shy. Jellies - can be lots of jellies. Suggest vinegar and gloves just in case Jellies pet the sea anchor lines. Lots of seals, sea lions and occasionally an elephant seal. We wave at Molas and they wave back. Many sea creatures to marvel at but very tough to take pictures of.

Bring a current fishing license if you want to learn to hand line or can bring an ocean pole. Fishing = fresh food. Check in with the fishing boats SF to Monterey to see what is biting and what are they biting? Do you know how to make sushi? Love this part.

Over all - these trips are Amazing.

For more information either go to our website or view on ASA: https://asa.com/certifications/asa-106-advanced-coastal-cruising/