Asa 101, 103, 104 and 114

[Lajos]

I am thinking of taking all these courses next summer with BOSS in the Grenadines, does anyone know about this school? They give the package as a one week full time course on board a catamaran, any recommendation would be welcomed, thanks!

http://www.barefootoffshore.com/

[Reality Check]

While I can not actually recall the Course #'s I've completed the four up to and including the coastal class and can tell you that doing that in one week would be a real feat.... While they may Teach the Answers... I really don't think anyone could expect to LEARN the material in a single week.... and particularly while on vacation. Great if you only wish to gather the paperwork... but actual learning the material is another totally different subject.

[Lajos]

These 3 books are required reading before taking the course:
Sailing Fundamentals by Gary Jobson.
Cruising Fundamentals by Harry Munns.
Multihull Fundamentals by Rick White with Harry Munns.

I'm thinking that if I can assimilate the books before the classes it might be enough? I am taking a coastal navigation course also before going down, it teaches all you need to know about chart navigation, the old fashion way...

[sailorboy1]

Lots of places have these in a 1 week courses. What you get out of it depends on the instructor and how well you prepare by doing your reading. Doesn't matter if you take them all in a 1 week course or separately it is the same number of days of sailing.

These are just the basics, only time teaches you after that.

[Lajos]

Nothing beats practice, I figure I might as well get as many "papers" now since I probably won't be an owner for another year...

[Lajos]

...and these Papers won't hurt when I'll speak to the insurance broker....

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Lajos

...and these Papers won't hurt when I'll speak to the insurance broker....

wouldn't necessarily help either, I took all of them and then had a year of weekend sailing on club boats and the insurance co still required me to take more captain instruction when I got my first boat

but it is a start

if you do any crewing afterward because to record it for later use with the insurance company (or a charter company even)

[mikefp60]

I did those 4 from a base in St Thomas. And it is no vacation, believe me. You work your azz off. My wife did them with me and was not real happy with me because I kind of sold it like it would be a week of fun in the sun. It was sunny. You should see the diamond studded palm tree necklace that one cost me. LOL

Read and re-read those books before you go onboard. It is a heck of a lot of material and if you go in cold you will be overwhelmed.

I learned a lot but as has been stated above it is really just the start.

I still correspond with the skipper who did our training. I have sent others his way in the past. You have to have a good instructor. He was quite good. Don’t know if he is currently affiliated with a school but I can get you connected if you wish. PM me if yes.

But definitely go for it.

Mike
S/V Vivo