This is an unusual class/voyage opportunity. Some who join us on a coastal passage come along purely for the enjoyment of sailing without desiring this course certification; others get the cert. Either way, it's a great opportunity to experience open water sailing in a very strongly supported environment... a magnificent experience however you approach it!
Caribbean
This 10 day sailing opportunity entails offshore coastal cruising for significant distances with brief layovers in various ports-of-call. Trips have included Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda voyages. Our offshore sailing school Coastal Passage curriculum provides you the opportunity to experience overnight sailing as well as nighttime landfall. This voyage provides an unparalleled opportunity to experience at least 700 miles of open water under the guidance of an expert sailor/instructor.
"We
just got back from our third bareboat cruise. It's really great having
all MY CHILDREN AS CREW and it's all thanks to you, OSA. Do you realize
that my daughter and I have taken FIVE COURSES TOGETHER? I can't think
of anything that makes for a STRONGER PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP than
sailing together! Sailing truly is something that a forty-nine year old
and a seventeen year old can have in common." -- Michael W. Seneca, S.C.
You'll inspect inventory, establish watch schedules, calculate ETA’s in consideration of wind, weather and current conditions, and take on all primary responsibilities for ensuring a safe and enjoyable passage. You may join for the experience, or graduate with U.S. Sailing’s Coastal Passage Making certification with the knowledge and experience to organize and complete future passages on your own.
Prerequisite: Coastal Navigation
Certification: U.S. Sailing Coastal Passage
First Mate and Crew level instruction are available.
Skills covered include:
* Yacht preparation: Preparing a vessel to keep crew comfortable, happy and safe for an extended passage. Preparation includes a review of necessary provisions, the proper stowage and organization of all gear, hull design, rig configuration, sail inventory and safety gear.
* Sail planning: Taking extra measures and forethought required by longer passage legs and overnight sailing. Focusing on weather, current, distance, speed, navigational strategy and float plans and abiding by the rule that captains should never to put their boats where their heads haven’t been first. * Communications, computers and onboard systems: Operations and understanding technology that adds comfort to a sailor’s life at sea including weather fax, single sideband, GPS, course plotters, diesel engines, DC electronics and refrigeration. * Heavy weather navigation and storm management: Navigating in severe weather and storm management in the event foresight fails.
* Overnight Sailing, Nighttime Landfall & Advanced Coastal Navigation: Fine-tuning existing skills of bareboat cruising and coastal navigation and enjoying the new challenges of overnight watch keeping and nighttime landfall. Testing your navigation during electronic malfunctions. (You never know when the instructor might simulate a lightning strike and shut down the electronics!)
Enrollment package includes: • 2-Day Onboard Systems and Rigging • 2-Day Emergency Management and Procedure • 6-Day Coastal Passage Practical
