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Boston ASA 106
Advanced Coastal Cruising Course

Price

$1899

Duration

4 Days

About the Course

Prerequisite: ASA 105 - Coastal Navigation

ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising is the most advanced ASA sailing course we teach here at First Reef Sailing! The goal of the ASA certification course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to safely and confidently plan, navigate and sail a multi-day coastal offshore passage. We cover serious miles in our ASA 106 courses, typically averaging 200 nautical miles. We practice night sailing, watchkeeping, safety at sea, advanced sail controls, advanced navigation skills, emergency maneuvers, heavy weather sailing and so much more during this 4-day, 3-night, live-aboard course. In the end, you’ll receive an advanced coastal cruising certification in American sailing.

Topics Covered in ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising

Passage Planning

Learn how to plan a long-distance passage based on weather forecasts, tidal information, ocean current charts and more. We teach how to parse uncertainty in a long-range forecast and when to use a professional meteorologist/weather router. We also discuss automatic routing versus manually creating a route to follow, including planning safe harbors and anchorages for your sailing vessel in case of adverse weather.

Night Sailing

How do we change our behavior when sailing at night versus during the day? Learn about common safety tactics when sailing at night, how to use lighted aids to navigate accurately and efficiently, the types of electronic navigation equipment we use and experience what it's like to stand a watch under the glow of the Milky Way when sailing miles offshore at night!

Watchkeeping

What are the pros and cons of port and starboard watches versus regular watches? How do we decide between 2 hours on/4 hours off, 3 hours on/6 hours off and 4 hours on/8 hours off? We discuss different types of watch systems and when to use them and practice standing double-handed and single-handed watches.

Heavy Weather Sailing

We discuss the use of drogues and sea anchors, how to efficiently reduce sail in heavy weather, emergency procedures and common safety parameters we set for our sailboat passages in terms of wave height, wind speeds, etc.

Advanced Weather

When earning your  ASA 106 coastal navigation certification, you’ll learn about different types of clouds and what they mean for us when sailing and piloting. We’ll also go in-depth on "synoptic" weather or long-term large-scale weather patterns, as well as the different weather forecasting models and what they mean when they agree and what they mean when they disagree. We employ electronic weather apps such as Windy, PredictWind, downloadable GRIB files and more to take the proper weather precautions and get a clear picture of our passage.

And more!

We cover much more than is required for the basic ASA 106 curriculum. We go beyond the seamanship textbook to discuss emergencies at sea, advanced passagemaking skills and navigation techniques, how to deal with mechanical problems and repairs, different boat systems and more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the ASA 106 held? 

The goal of ASA 106 is to sail a passage of 40nm or more and a night sail. We typically cover about 100nm throughout the course, and the route varies depending on the weather conditions Past routes have included circumnavigating Cape Cod or sailing up to Maine and back. We also offer ASA 106 courses in 7-day live-aboard formats in the Virgin Islands during the winter.

What am I required to bring to the course?

We require students to bring their own Type V PFD with integrated harness and tether. These are critical safety items since we will be sailing at night. First Reef Sailing does have a few sets to rent for the course; email us to reserve yours.

Where can I find a packing list for the course?

We send all packing lists with your confirmation email upon signing up for the course. To get an idea of what you should pack, read our blog post, "What to Pack for an Offshore Sailing Passage".

What other ASA-certified courses are offered at First Reef Sailing?

In addition to ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising, First Reef Sailing offers the following ASA courses in Boston, Massachusetts:

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