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Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification #107699
09/17/2016 11:35 AM
09/17/2016 11:35 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 72
FrenchLaundry Offline OP
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FrenchLaundry  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 72
All,

I have rented bareboat Catamaran's for a few years. I am interested in going through training or certification to get my captain's license for bareboat catamaran rental. I am heading the USVI/BVI on November 5th for a sabbatical from work. I would like to go through the training from Nov. 5th - Nov. 12th. There is no availability at the Robert Swain school. I would prefer to be trained on a CAT. Can anyone recommend a school/certification program? Thank you.

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Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: FrenchLaundry] #107700
09/17/2016 04:27 PM
09/17/2016 04:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
D
Deepcut Offline
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Deepcut  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
The BVI charter companies work mainly on your resume. The "XYZ Charter Captain" certificate is not a license.


Wes
s/v Sea Tiger (2022 Lagoon 46)
www.BareBoatBVI.com

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: FrenchLaundry] #107701
09/17/2016 05:09 PM
09/17/2016 05:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
kneafseym Offline
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kneafseym  Offline
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Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
I think what he is looking for is the ASA Cruising Catamaran course. Once upon a time I was certified to teach that, but not anymore. Not a lot of demand for the course so not sure who in BVI would offer.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: kneafseym] #107702
09/17/2016 05:21 PM
09/17/2016 05:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
sail2wind Offline
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sail2wind  Offline
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Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
Bareboat certification and Captains license are worlds apart

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: sail2wind] #107703
09/17/2016 05:38 PM
09/17/2016 05:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 348
Pittsburgh, PA
S
Schwendy Offline
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Schwendy  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 348
Pittsburgh, PA
Try NauticEd.org. They offer the ISC certificate. If that's not what your after then email them (Grant) and they will surely put you in touch with the right school.



[Linked Image]
Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: Schwendy] #107704
09/17/2016 05:40 PM
09/17/2016 05:40 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
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maytrix  Offline
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Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
Just curious as to what the reason for getting certification is? If you've already chartered, then you really don't need it. Nothing wrong with increasing your knowledge though.


Matt
Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: kneafseym] #107705
09/17/2016 06:44 PM
09/17/2016 06:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Tortola, BVI
L
LianeLeTendre Offline
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LianeLeTendre  Offline
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L
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Tortola, BVI
TMM offers ASA 114 for bareboat catamaran certification.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: LianeLeTendre] #107706
09/17/2016 09:16 PM
09/17/2016 09:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 72
FrenchLaundry Offline OP
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FrenchLaundry  Offline OP
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Thank you for the input thus far and I want to clarify what I am looking for. The charter boat companies has previously approved me as a captain for a 42'+ CATS with basically no sailing experience:) I have/had enough sense that I knew this was a bad idea to captain that size of vessel without experience. We have hired a wonderful captain for every trip - he has taught me a lot and has become a family friend. I will continue to hire that Captain because our entire family has become close with him. During our last trip - a couple was staying at Scrub Island and spending a week at a sailing school because they purchased a 42' CAT and were going to sail around the world. I am not seeking certification to rent a CAT - I am seeking some defined training/course on sailing to improve my knowledge/experience for handling a CAT because I desire to learn more and believe in training/learning. I will take a look at the suggestion from Schwendy and LianeLeTendre..

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: FrenchLaundry] #107707
09/17/2016 10:49 PM
09/17/2016 10:49 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 13
L
livingthedream Offline
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livingthedream  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 13
We got our certification with Fairwinds out of Saint Thomas. Very helpful and enjoyed our week with them

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: livingthedream] #107708
09/17/2016 10:57 PM
09/17/2016 10:57 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 29
Frankfort, Michigan
H
hotdogman Offline
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Frankfort, Michigan
My wife and I completed and were certified in multiple ASA courses in August through Virgin Islands Sailing School out of Red Hook. They were great to deal with and the captain was a fantastic instructor. Our goal was/is to charter a cat with our family on our own which we will be doing in December.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: FrenchLaundry] #107709
09/17/2016 11:23 PM
09/17/2016 11:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
D
Deepcut Offline
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Deepcut  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
"The more you know , the more you realize how much you still need to learn".

Good for you.


Wes
s/v Sea Tiger (2022 Lagoon 46)
www.BareBoatBVI.com

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: Deepcut] #107710
09/18/2016 12:16 AM
09/18/2016 12:16 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
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Winterstale  Offline
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Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
...I'm still blown away by the OP's friends who were "spending a week at sailing school" and then planning to sail their newly-purchased 42 foot catamaran around the world...wow....


[Linked Image]

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: Winterstale] #107711
09/18/2016 01:03 AM
09/18/2016 01:03 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
beerMe Offline
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beerMe  Offline
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Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
I've read many circumnavigation blogs and a surprising number started to realize the dream when they had little or no sailing experience. It seems like many take an ASA course or two and do a lot of reading up on seamanship, do some sailing on their own, then break in to the next level by transiting the ICW, gulf stream/Bahamas (or similar if their from Europe). By the time they've hit the Panama Canal they've pretty much figured out crusing, somewhere after Polynesia their becoming experts. Many seem to get to this point in less than a year. With most you can tell they know their stuff but they also know it only takes one mistake to ruin the dream. Doesn't surprise me at all that this couple is where they are now.


Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: Winterstale] #107712
09/18/2016 01:10 AM
09/18/2016 01:10 AM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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Posts: 1,347
USVI
Quote
Winterstale said:
...I'm still blown away by the OP's friends who were "spending a week at sailing school" and then planning to sail their newly-purchased 42 foot catamaran around the world...wow....


If you want to read a long actual example of that kind of trip by new sailors:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DT...MSMS#nav-subnav

And their well written and illustrated blog:

http://www.bumfuzzle.com/septemberoctober-2003/

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: LocalSailor] #107713
09/18/2016 06:20 AM
09/18/2016 06:20 AM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
D
Deepcut Offline
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Deepcut  Offline
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Georgia & South Carolina
circumnavigation does not start with a transoceanic passage. Like, begin with coastal cruising/Carribean cruising (Which could take years).

During that time, lots of learning to do.No hurry...Enjoy the journey.


Wes
s/v Sea Tiger (2022 Lagoon 46)
www.BareBoatBVI.com

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: FrenchLaundry] #107714
09/18/2016 08:47 AM
09/18/2016 08:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 826
Tortola, BVI
L
LianeLeTendre Offline
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LianeLeTendre  Offline
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Posts: 826
Tortola, BVI
If you have not taken any of the ASA courses, you will have to start with ASA level 101, 103 and 104. All three of these courses must be taken aboard a monohull. THEN you move up to 114 ... which is the catamaran course.

You can read about the course requirements here.

In the BVI, it takes 10 nights (with your own private instructor) aboard a monohull to accomplish the first three levels, if you charter a bareboat. I'm not sure about the duration with the various sailing schools that teach groups.

I obviously don't know where you live, but there are many different places where you can take these courses in the US and other parts of the world. You will find all the various places offering courses in the US here.

Hope this helps.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: LianeLeTendre] #107715
09/18/2016 09:06 AM
09/18/2016 09:06 AM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay Offline
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CaptainJay  Offline
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Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
Black Rock Sailing School from Boston teaches on our boats (CYOA Yacht Charters) in the winter time out of St Thomas. You can reach Brenton at 203 981 0360

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: hotdogman] #107716
09/18/2016 03:46 PM
09/18/2016 03:46 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 118
Quebec , Canada
F
Frenchsailor Offline
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Frenchsailor  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 118
Quebec , Canada
Sunsail has a sailing school in Tortola :

http://www.sunsail.com/sailing-schools/tortola-courses

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: Frenchsailor] #107717
09/19/2016 09:15 AM
09/19/2016 09:15 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 385
Florida
R
rfrimmel Offline
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rfrimmel  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 385
Florida
Took my ASA 103, 104 with Black Rock, sailing out of CYOA. I knew how to sail and have chartered before but the extra knowledge learned that week was tremendous. Learning from and experienced captain/instructor to gain better control of boat and the systems was key. I have become a more efficient and capable sailor. I would like to continue on to get my ASA 114 and some other certifications because you can't have enough knowledge when being on the water.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: rfrimmel] #107718
09/19/2016 09:26 AM
09/19/2016 09:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline
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UncleLuff  Offline
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Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
I would stay away from the Fair Wind sailing school!

While they offer good practical experience, they do not offer a recognised certification. Plus the owner is a mess, treats his captains like crap and there is no guarantee that there will be anyone to offer you training when you get there. I am speaking from personal experience having taken the fair wind training course in the BVI in 2015.

Sounds like you want to pursue an ASA certification from which you can build on. Stick to ASA certified schools would be my suggestion.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: LianeLeTendre] #107719
09/19/2016 10:06 AM
09/19/2016 10:06 AM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
denverd0n Offline
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denverd0n  Offline
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Posts: 308
Tampa, FL
Quote
LianeLeTendre said:
If you have not taken any of the ASA courses, you will have to start with ASA level 101, 103 and 104. All three of these courses must be taken aboard a monohull. THEN you move up to 114 ... which is the catamaran course.

This ^^^^^

The good news is that, depending on where you are located, there is a good possibility that you can--at the very least--get 101 out of the way in your local area. You may even be able to get both 101 and 103 locally.

Good luck. Additional training is never a bad thing.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: UncleLuff] #107720
09/19/2016 10:41 AM
09/19/2016 10:41 AM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 225
Dallas
C
camelot Offline
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camelot  Offline
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Posts: 225
Dallas
Followed your path -- Would say that the ASA114 course was a relative waste of time -- only points were reef earlier, let the jib backwind when tacking and jibe over tack if possible. Motoring and maneuvering with 2 props is easily learned.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: camelot] #107721
09/19/2016 11:16 AM
09/19/2016 11:16 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,049
S
StormJib Offline
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StormJib  Offline
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Posts: 1,049
Just an FYI once you leave the Virgin Islands and the Carribean the formality of certification or a "licence" can be much more important to charter a self skippered boat. In Greece and across Europe something formal that demonstrates your competence can be a requirement. During our charters in Greece the last step in the checkout process is the charter operator takes all the completed paperwork to the "Port Captain" to gain his approval and stamp for the voyage. In our case Yacht Club Membership Cards have sufficed. Another twist on the power of the port captains in Greece. As their Meltemi winds fill in the Port Captain will order the harbor closed and no one leaves that day. My point; some parts of the world outside of the BVI can be much more formal here.

In my opinion any multi-day onboard sail training should start with some type of direct conversation with the individual instructor before anything is booked. There should be a clear understanding of the goals and the approach to be used before any agreement is reached. If you just want a piece of paper that is one goal; if you really want to learn and work on skills that may require a very different coach that meets the culture and learning style of all involved.

Is there a Virgin Island broker who has a practice that includes sail training? Any freelance sailing coaches that will join a group for a few days or a week? I do not count the marketing lead charter operators who will put any skipper they can find on your boat a reliable answer to the family looking for good coaching.

See the posts above the goals and quality are all over the charts.

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: camelot] #107722
09/19/2016 11:31 AM
09/19/2016 11:31 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,994
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GeorgeC1  Offline
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GA/NC
Agreed, there is nothing magical about sailing a cat. If you're competent on a monohull with like sized sail plans you will have no issues with a cat.
G

Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: GeorgeC1] #107723
09/19/2016 12:54 PM
09/19/2016 12:54 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
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RickG  Offline
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Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
Take the ASA 101 course locally and the ASA 103 locally if you can. They are the sailing focused courses and are taught on monohulls. ASA 104 is focused on systems and is important if you want to know how to take care of your charter vessel. I did all three courses in a row through the Rob Swain school, but the only real benefit was sailing in the BVIs and learning the approaches, which you have already done.

For catamaran, we had a captain for a day from our charter company show us the how-tos (awesome guy and TTOL user) and check us out. That worked fine. To be honest, sail time on a monohull and knowledge of the cruising grounds is enough. As camelot said, its not hard to learn how to maneuver and sail a cat.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Advice on Bareboat Captain's Certification [Re: RickG] #107724
09/19/2016 01:41 PM
09/19/2016 01:41 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
CottageGirl Offline
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CottageGirl  Offline
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Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
Lianne's advice is spot on.
Our story: My husband and I have sailed all our lives on lakes. We chartered once in the BVI's in 2000 with a training captain. Fast forward to 2014 - we spent 10 days on a cat in the BVI's getting our 101, 103, 104 and 114 (through Virgin Island Sailing School out of St. Thomas). March 2015, November 2015, and April 2016 we've chartered boats by ourselves in the BVI's. The classes gave us the knowledge and confidence to do it ourselves. Strongly recommend them if you are at all questioning your ability.
Fast forward to May, 2016 - we bought a 53' Carver Voyager* and plan to do the Great Loop when my husband retires. :-)
*not a sailboat, but lots of our ASA training applies to big boating

PS: TMM is a great organization!


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