Take your charter experience to the next level! If you've completed ASA 101 and ASA 103 and have at least six on-the-water days under your belt (3 as the skipper), you're ready to take ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising. This course will prepare you for international charter vacations and overnights on San Francisco Bay. Among the many essential yachting skills taught, students will complete the course with in-depth knowledge of trip planning, night sailing, and boat systems.
Sailing Skills Taught in ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising
The ASA 104 course curriculum elaborates on skills taught in the ASA 101 and ASA 103 courses while introducing essential skills necessary for overnight and multi-day charters. Topics of instruction include:
- Knowledge of provisioning and galley operations
- Boat systems - electrical, mechanical, and plumbing
- Auxiliary engine operation
- Routine maintenance procedures
- Advanced sail trim
- Coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation
- Anchoring, mooring and docking techniques
- Crew health, safety, and emergency procedures
- Weather interpretation
- Night sailing
- Close-quarters maneuvering with large monohulls
Charter Sailboats in the Bay Area
Upon completion of this course, you will receive your internationally recognized ASA 104 certification. Students who are Modern Sailing Club members will be eligible to charter boats in our Platinum Fleet (38' and above) and Gold Fleet (33' - 37') for overnight charters.
Course Curriculum
On the first day of the course, students plan their weekend and meals, including breakfast, lunch, and at least one dinner aboard. After a run to the grocery store for provisions and initial docking practice, the class sets sail for their first anchorage. On Saturday morning, students have a "classroom" style lecture examining the yacht's electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems. Students will chart the course for the day and practice new navigation skills before setting off to their next destination.
The second night is often spent navigating an unfamiliar harbor and eating dinner at one of the many near-dock restaurants that the Bay Area has to offer. After dinner, the class will practice night sailing and navigate to their final overnight anchorage. Students will take their tests the morning of the last day of class, usually while at anchor. Students will also work on more advanced crew overboard recovery methods before sailing back to Sausalito and Modern Sailing School.
The Bareboat Cruising Made Easy textbook is included with your purchase of this course and will be mailed to you. If you wish to pick up your textbook in person or if you sign up less than a week from the first day of your course, please contact our office. Advance study of your textbook will enhance your success in this course.
Course Prerequisites
- Completion of ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing
- Completion of ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising
- Six on-the-water days (3 as skipper) - Learn how to achieve your 6 on-the-water-days prerequisite
Students with comparable experience also have the option to submit a Sailing Resume to waive this requirement.
Note on Course Prerequisite Recency:
- If you have completed ASA 103 within the past 3 years and fulfilled your on the water prerequisites, you are ready to enroll.
- If you completed ASA 103 more than 3 years ago, and have sailed since but not with Modern Sailing, please submit a recent Sailing Resume.
- If it has been more than 3 years since you were last on the water, you can fulfill the recency requirement by booking an ASA 111-103 Sailing Review. Please contact our team to discuss scheduling and your path to ASA 104.
Registration & Next Steps
There are three ways to sign up for this course - by phone (415) 331-8250, email, or by clicking the link below.
View ASA 104 Schedule & Sign Up | Bundle & Save - Special Packages
