General Goals
- Develop the skills necessary to sail and motor a cruising boat with auxiliary inboard power
- Increase competency cruising coastal waters
- Qualify students for a Cruising 30 or 35 membership or bareboat chartering in locations like the Virgin Islands
Format
Onboard Wednesday evening through Sunday evening
Day 1: Wednesday Evening (see course dates for start time)
Boat systems on the Jeanneau 389
Day 2: Thursday Evening (see course dates for start time)
Running rigging orientation and docking/maneuvering under power
Day 3-5: Friday to Sunday
Departs Boston Harbor Friday at 3:00pm and arrives back Sunday evening. Students will stay overnight on the boat. Destinations will be based on weather.
Required Clothing and Gear
General Sailing List
- Lifejackets are required to be worn when on board the boat during all water sessions. They will be provided but you are more than welcome to bring your own.
- We do not have storage in the riverboat, so only bring items you are comfortable bringing on the boat.
- We do have limited foul weather gear for our students to borrow, but it is recommended that you bring your own. A waterproof jacket and pants are best. Our office team can recommend some good options for you.
Packing List
- Foul Weather Gear: Bibs and Jacket
- Boots or waterproof shoes
- Lifejacket
- 1 or 2 pairs of wool socks
- Wind Shell
- Warm hat and warm gloves
- Long Underwear
- Several appropriate warm layers (fleece or wool)
- Long sleeve shirt/long pants (for sun)
- Sunglasses/Sunscreen/Sun hat
- Deck shoes
- Sailing Gloves
- Shirts
- Shorts/Pants
- Socks
Personal Items:
- Pillow/Pillowcase
- Sleeping Bag or sheet and blanket
- Towel
- Toiletries/Medication
- Seasickness prevention
- Reading Glasses (for chart work)
- Flashlight or headlamp
Optional Items:
- Knife or Leatherman
- Travel Mug (good idea in cold weather)
- Binoculars
- Bearing Compass
- Bathing suit
*Pack gear in plastic bags inside duffel bag
Course Content
In no particular order, to be spaced out over the five days.
- General briefing
- Clothing and personal equipment
- Hypothermia and seasickness
- Line handling: Review figure eight, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, cleating, coiling, and heaving a line. Introduce sheet bend and rolling hitch.
Boat Systems
- Required and recommended safety equipment
- Through hull fittings, seacocks and stuffing box
- Holding tank and head
- Fresh water system
- Stowage areas and techniques
- Galley, icebox, stove
- Batteries, battery switch, electrical system
- Diesel engine and fuel system
- VHF radio
- Nav station, equipment and charts
- Running lights
Motoring and Docking
- Leaving the dock
- Motoring in forward and reverse
- Picking up a mooring
- Docking, with consideration of wind, current, tide and momentum
- Tying up to a dock, including mast placement, fenders and dock lines
- Planning and provisioning
- Schedule, itinerary and alternatives
- Use of tide tables, Sail handling systems
- Demonstrate reefing gear, roller furling, winches
- Practice reefing
- Change head sails
Cruising Skills
- Preparation of the boat for a cruise
- Evaluating weather forecasts
- Selecting and trimming sails for optimum comfort and speed
- Use of a spinnaker for cruising* If time and conditions allow
- Reefing and headsail changes
- Crew overboard procedures
- Coastal navigation – buoy systems, chart symbols
- Techniques for sailing in poor visibility
- Applying the rules of the road; interpreting running lights
- Use of published materials to evaluate harbors and shoreside facilities
- Identifying good anchorages, anchoring
- Docking and mooring in unfamiliar harbors
- Discuss common problems and potential emergencies and appropriate responses
- Unloading, cleaning and securing a boat after a cruise
After you complete your course
ASA Certification
American Sailing Association is a system of certification standards recognized worldwide. Upon successful completion of our Cruising Course, you are qualified to take the ASA 104 Coastal Cruising written exam to obtain your certification. The water portion is covered during the course.
Certifications must be completed within two-weeks of graduation (no exceptions), so start studying and contact us as soon as you’re ready to take the test! If you fail, you have one year to retake the exam following your course.
Please note that you will have to take the ASA 101 and 103 exams as well, if you have not done so already. If you need to get your ASA 101 and/or 103, contact the office to arrange. An additional $35 fee will apply per test, and a $39 ASA registration fee.
Full Membership
After successful course completion, you will be qualified for a Cruising 30 or Cruising 35 at 10% off the full price. This calendar year long membership will give you access to the boats within your category and all of the categories below, and a 7-day extended cruise. The 10% discount also applies to any Daysailing or Mid-Range membership level. This discount is valid for the 7-days after graduation.
There is no student membership associated with the Cruising Course, unless you are a Macro Student. If you are unsure of your student status, please contact the office.