COASTAL CRUISING AND BAREBOAT TRAINING in Channel Islands National Park. That’s what I do. That and cruises for up to four people just for the fun of it. In terms of ASA qualifications, I offer private lessons – just you and your crew – ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106. And if your crew is a spouse who just needs a vacation, that’s fine, too.

There are two big differences between a day sail and a cruise. 1. Planning: long range weather, meals, navigation, contingency planning and emergency preparation. 2. The need to monitor and conserve: fresh water, fuel food, materiel integrity of your yacht and the health and well being of your crew. There are many new skills that you will learn as you work your way from ASA 103 and up to the ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising certificate. I go well beyond ASA textbook and testing requirements to develop the skills you need to operate safely beyond the bounds of standard tourist cruising destinations such as the Med, Tahiti and the BVI.

Our base is in Channel Islands Harbor, Vintage Marina. We’re about an hour from Santa Barbara and an hour and change from LAX. If you take the train, I’ll pick you up and take you back.

In my ASA 103, you plan a day trip across the coastwise traffic lane to Anacapa Island. Based on the weather forecast, you’ll select an anchorage and a backup. You’ll plot the course, note obstructions, and pilot the boat to the island. We’ll anchor at least twice, setting anchor alarms and visually monitoring our position. We’ll have lunch, discuss what we did and talk about heavy weather considerations. On the way home, we’ll go forward on jacklines and reef the main. Once clear of the coastwise traffic lane, we’ll do a surprise MOB drill.

ASA 104 is at least a three day trip to Santa Cruz Island. In addition to the skills previously practiced, we’ll scope out more difficult anchorages that require a bow and stern anchor. I’ll help you launch and recover the dinghy and or kayak after we consider the wind, tide and surf conditions. When we’re in an exposed anchorage on one hook, we’ll rig a riding sail and make preparations for an emergency departure. We’ll consult on the menu a week or two ahead of time and I’ll make sure everything is aboard, then we’ll stow the stuff together when you arrive. In the evening, we’ll discuss emergency plans for fire, flooding, rigging failure and medical emergencies. We’ll review our supply/water/fuel situation every night then set the anchor watch. Prior to departure, I’ll assist you in the navigation planning and will teach you how to take a fix and do basic dead reckoning on our first leg.

ASA 106 is a practicum – you put it all together in a five day trip that may range as far as San Miguel Island. But this time, I’m the coach and you are the quarterback. You’ve already completed ASA 105 and all the navigation planning is in your hands. We are heading for a region where the weather can be challenging and we will prepare for gale force winds (though we won’t go if the prediction is that bad.) We’ll do a substantial bit of night sailing and “flying on instruments,” using our radar to establish a danger bearing and warn us of vessels in the area. We’ll do a simulated man overboard recovery in the dark. We’ll cook midrats or, if the weather is balky, live on power bars for a time.

It sounds like a lot of work, and it is more work than vacation. But there will be plenty of time for kayaking, tide pooling, hiking, snorkeling and just hanging out and watching the sunset. And you’re doing it all in the Galapagos of North America. We’re likely to sail with whales and dolphins, see the elephant seal rookeries and watch bald eagles hunt in our anchorage.

I had no idea how fabulous this area was until I moved here and started exploring. Yes, I’d read about it but I didn’t believe. Less than 100 miles from a billion or so people in LA, we rarely even see another boat in our anchorage.

See my resume if you want to know more about my teaching and sailing life, or give me a call. I’m happy to talk sailing just about any time.