At Modern Sailing, Sportboat, Silver Fleet, and Gold Fleet-rated members have the benefit of being able to "co-skipper" with another member in order to earn up to 3 of the 6 on-the-water days* required as the ASA 104 prerequisite. Please be sure to inform the front desk prior to your charter so we can track it.
The Co-Skipper:
- shares the duties of running the boat and crew, including departing and returning to dock.
- can dock only if he/she is certified for that fleet level boat. (For example, a Silver Fleet rated co-skipper can only dock Silver Fleet boats).
- is site rated at the location he/she is chartering from. (Berkeley rated to charter boats in Berkeley, Sausalito rated to charter boats in Sausalito).
- receives credit for an on-the-water day only by co-skippering boats he/she is Fleet Rated for. (For example, a Silver Fleet rated co-skipper cannot receive credit for co-skippering on a Platinum Fleet boat).
- receives credit for an on-the-water day by informing the MSC office.
- has come to a financial responsibility agreement with the charterer of record (the member whose name the reservation is in, or primary skipper).
We recommend that the charterer of record (primary skipper) and co-skipper have a discussion prior to sailing about how skipper duties will be shared. Here's some specific duties that the skipper and co-skipper can share between themselves. Communication between the skippers and crew is always key.
- Determine weather forecast, tides, and currents and prepare a float plan for the day.
- Complete the Boat Pre-Cruise (Check-Out) Form.
- Review the Pre-Departure Checklist (in the Boat Check-Out Form) with crew.
- Steer on the helm and direct the crew during docking activities.
- Steer on the helm and direct the crew during sailing activities.
- Monitor power consumption and battery status.
- Complete the Boat Check-In (post-cruise) Form.
- Direct the crew in tidying and securing the boat at the end of the charter.
If you need some help finding a member to co-skipper with, join our members-only Facebook Crew List or the Crew List (a Modern Sailing-adminstered email distribution list). Request to join the email Crew List by sending an email to office@modernsailing.com. Remember to inform the office that you are a co-skipper prior to your charter so you'll receive credit towards your ASA 104 prerequisite.
*To earn more than 3 on-the-water days towards the ASA 104 prerequisite, charter as the primary skipper (charterer of record) and/or complete your choice of 1-day Sailing Skills Clinics.
