Grenadine Islands (Sailing School)

Sailing Collective's Passage Offshore program is proud to be working with American Sailing Association to offer ASA certifications. This means that your experience gained has international recognition, and you are eligible for an IPC (international proficiency certificate), which is commonly accepted by charter companies as a qualification to captain your own cruising boat. Your next vacation could be with you at the helm!

Why learn the Sailing Collective way? We practice a style of sailing that has been honed over thousands of days at sea, an elixir of fun and adventure balanced by safe seamanship and relaxation. We teach the ways of passagemaking without losing sight of all of the wonderful reasons why we want to be out here in the first place.

The American Sailing Association (ASA) curriculum has structured levels of sailing pedigrees that are examined through progressive certification courses. Students who learn to sail through the PASSAGE OFFSHORE program receive an ASA Logbook that lists the certification qualifications and records sailing experience. When your certification is successfully completed, your ASA Logbook is notarized by your ASA instructor any charter or vessel rental operator can view your credentials and level of competency.

Included

ASA qualified instructor captain • Room aboard vessel • Provisioning for all onboard meals excluding 3-6 meals ashore • Moorings & dockage • Fuel, water, ice • All ASA material including qualifying exams & exam materials • Vessel Insurance

Not included

Travel & flights • Customs & immigration • Ashore activities including any recreational tours, meals, and drinks • Gratuity

Embarking

Plan to be at the boat by 5 pm on day 1 (March 1st)

Disembarking

The final night will be spent in the marina, and sailors will be asked to be off the boat by 9 am on March 10th.

Meals

Unlike other Sailing Collective voyages, instructors & students will be preparing meals. Part of the Bareboat Charter ASA 104 requirements is voyage provisioning and preparation. We will be following the guided menu created by SC Culinary Director Flannery Klette-Kolten and a customized and unique Sailing Collective-style journey menu.

Travel

Please book your flights to and from: Maurice Bishop International Airport - Grenada (airport code GND)

Marina

Port Louis Marina is a 15-minute taxi ride from the airport. Taxis in Grenada are all shared vehicles billed per person, and rates from the airport are pre-set by the taxi association. It should be around $20 USD to the Marina.

PACKING LIST

Collapsible bags in place of large rigid suitcases are advised for ease of transport on and off the boat. Loading and unloading from the dingy can be a wet activity, a pair of shoes such as flip-flops that you can get wet if we are landing on a beach.

As the vast majority of your time will be spent outside, prepare for the elements - bring a light raincoat just in case, a hat to shield yourself from the sun, and a warm layer.  Sunglasses are important; polarized is recommended.

Overpacking is more common than underpacking. You will be well-outfitted for the journey if you have the following things.

• A few bathing suits

• Shorts and Pants, one or two pairs of each

• a warm layer

• sun hat and sunglasses

• comfortable sneakers

• sandals or shoes that can get wet

• a lightweight beach towel (bath towels will be provided)

We also encourage guests to bring ecologically appropriate products into ocean environments. You can read more about those recommendations on the Sailing Collective Journal here: Packing for a Healthy Ocean

ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising

Able to skipper a sloop-rigged auxiliary powered (inboard or outboard engine) keelboat of approximately 25 to 35 feet in length by day in moderate winds (up to 20 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of cruising sailboat terminology, basic boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, docking procedures, intermediate sail trim, navigation rules, basic coastal navigation, anchoring, weather interpretation, safety, and seamanship.

ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising

Able to skipper a sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered keelboat of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of provisioning, galley operations, boat systems, auxiliary engine operation, routine maintenance procedures, advanced sail trim, coastal navigation including basic chart plotting and GPS operation, multiple-anchor mooring, docking, health & safety, emergency operations, weather interpretation, and dinghy/tender operation.

Q. What is ASA?

The American Sailing Association is a coalition of sailors, professional sailing instructors, sailing schools and charter companies promoting safe recreation in the United States with an internationally recognized certification education system.

Q. What are the advantages of certifications?

Internationally recognized credentials, quality educational materials, professional instructors, and targeted goals for each level of the program.

Q. What certifications will I earn during this course?

Bareboat Cruising [104]

Q. What are the Prerequisites?

Basic Keelboat [101] Basic Coastal Cruising [103] is required. If you have completed Basic Keelboat from another reputable sailing school certifier [US Sailing or similar], you are able to take the ASA 101 Qualifier Exam. Please contract us if you have additional questions.

Q. Should I study the ASA material prior to the start of the course?

YES! You are expected to read through the sailing text books and familier with the information prior to the start of the course. The more knowledge you have the better equipped you will be to implement the knowledge during the course.

Q. What is the deposit?

A 25% deposit is required. You can place your deposit by clicking on the BOOK NOW button at the top of the page.

Q. Will there be meals ashore?

Yes, there will be 3 to 4 meals enjoyed ashore and you are expected to cover

Q. How much sailing will there be daily?

Depending on the coursework, there will be 5 to 8 hours of sailing each day. Certain days will cover less water to practice maneuvering and other activities such as anchoring, chart plotting, safety, and docking.

Q. Will there be downtime?

Yes, you bet! PASSAGE OFFSHORE is a course designed to explore the joys of sailing and a big part of that is rewarding yourself with the fruits of your labor. Whether it is a splendid beachside restaurant or rum shack, snorkeling, hiking, exploring a magnificent seaside village, or relaxing with a book aboard, there will be plenty of downtime from the educational curriculum.

Q. Who cooks?

Unlike other Sailing Collective adventures, PASSAGE OFFSHORE teaches you how to provision and cook for a voyage. Together, we will go to the local markets and seek out quality ingredients to be prepared aboard. Recipes will be based on the guidebook provided by the Sailing Collective culinary director. Please be prepared to bring two to three of your favorate recipes to prepare. The instructor will facilitate the provisioning.

Q. How many students?

There will be 4 students per session with 1 instructor. We keep the student count to a minimum to maximize your time learning and hands-on experience.

Q. Gratuity

Not only is your captain your educational instructor, but he is also providing high levels of hospitality. It is customary in the yachting industry to offer gratuity to your crew. 10% of your ticket price is a standard amount.