ASA 101 to 104 week long Learn And Cruise Monohull
$ 1,995 pp
Last minute discounts available
The Basic Learn-’N-Cruise (LNC) covers the ASA 101, 103 and 104 certifications, the 104 being recognised by charter companies around the world as a Captain’s Licence.
We run the courses every week of the year – and up to 5 at the same time (we’re the most active ASA sailing school in the south-eastern Caribbean, the only one in St Vincent and the Grenadines and the longest-established (more than 20 years).
The course runs from a Sunday morning through the following Saturday afternoon, and during the week you’ll learn the basics of sailing. Guests with zero or minimal prior sailing experience should be able to get through the 101 and 103 certifcations without problems, and we’ve had many guests who have also completed the 104 – though to do this you should carefully study the syllabus books prior to arrival. Folks who have had some previous on-the-water experience will find this useful.
Our courses are entirely hands-on, live-aboard – no falling asleep behind a classroom desk! Because of this, you’ll find that the learning curve is steep and we’ve found over the years that the majority of our guests are surprised at how much they were able to get through.
Whilst the aim of these cruises is to offer guests the opportunity to pass an internationally recognised certification on board an ocean-going yacht, we also remember that this is a vacation – and thus leisure time will be available for swimming, snorkelling, diving, or exploring ashore. The Instructor will run the course at the pace of the guests, with their safety and comfort of prime importance and guests will have every opportunity to participate in the planning of the itinerary and daily schedule.
We will do our best to match up guests with similar objectives and to enable them to achieve the level of certification that equates to their experience. Because of the small number of guests on board the yacht instruction is highly personalized and therefore differing levels of experience amongst the guests does not necessarily present a problem.
Course Outline
- Most guests arrive the day before the course starts. Guests meet up with the Instructor around 10.00 a.m. on Sunday, and, after briefings and taking the 101 written examination, you’ll board the yacht, stow your gear and be shown some of the basic on-board systems. After lunch, you’ll set sail for Bequia, northernmost of the Grenadines.
- The sailing itinerary will be flexible according to weather conditions, but a typical 1-week cruise will take guests to all the high spots of the Grenadines – Bequia, the Tobago Cays, Mayreau, Union Island, Canouan – and will cover around 90 miles of cruising. Distances between islands are generally short (from 2 to 5 hours) and there will be ample time for relaxation, swimming, snorkelling or exploring ashore.
- We provide everything you will need including linens and towels, snorkel gear and most food. Singles or couples will have their own cabin. Students are expected to share in meal preparation and clean-up duties. You just need to pack a few clothes – a swimsuit, your sandals and a desire to learn and sail in this tropical environment.
- During the week your instructor will cover the curriculum for three levels of certification: Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising, and Intermediate Coastal Cruising (Bareboat Charter). The course will end on Saturday around noon.
- Although no prior on-the-water experience is required, if you have a friend back home who has a yacht and can get you out on the water for a day, you’ll find that this will be of great benefit.
Course Objectives
Price Includes
Our LNC courses are probably the best-priced anywhere in the Caribbean – we can do this because we’ve been running the school for more than 20 years, run the classes every week of the year, fill the slots, and have many returning guests.
Includes:
- Fully-equipped yacht with ASA Instructor
- Food for 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 evening meals
- ASA Log book
- Fuel, ice, tank water
- Hull insurance
- Charter Licence
Does not include:
- Air fare and ground transfers
- Optional cancellation insurance – 7% of course cost
- Cruising permit – $14 per person
- ASA Membership – $49 per person (if not already held)
- Examinations, if passed – $20 each
- 3 evening meals
- Drinks
- Instructor gratuity at your discretion