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ASA 103:
Basic Coastal Cruising
The gateway to bay area sailing, successful completion of ASA 103 allows use of Afterguard boats up to the south side of the Bay Bridge.
Learn to skipper a 25 to 35 ft sloop-rigged keelboat in moderate winds and sea conditions. Gain 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.
2 Evening Lectures + 4 Full Days Sailing
+ 1 Graduation Sail (independent charter with your classmates)
An ASA 103 certification qualifies the holder to sail boats up to 31 feet in semi-protected waters and is recognized internationally. For San Francisco Bay, this means you’re cleared to sail within the Bay’s semi-protected microclimate near our base up to, but not beyond, the southeast side of the Bay Bridge.
Before the Course
Purchase the ASA 103 textbook Coastal Cruising Made Easy. Available at our office or through the ASA website as an ebook or hardcopy.
Read the book and complete the quizzes throughout to prepare you for the course and the terminology used.
Prerequisites:
ASA 101 Course + Graduation Sail
OR
ASA 101 Challenge
~ free ASA101 Grad Sail with enrollment in ASA103
Recommended Prep:
1. Sail within 1 month before class (at Afterguard or elsewhere)
2. 3x Logged Sails
a. 1x 101 Graduation Sail: Docking & Rules of the Road =2nd Sun Practice
b. 1x Sail Trim + Heave To + Reefing =3rd Sun Practice
c. 1x any Practice Sail
ASA 103 Multiple Choice Test
After successfully demonstrating 100% of the required on-the-water skills, you’ll take a written exam, which requires a minimum score of 85% to pass.
If you do not pass either the on-the-water or written evaluations, you’ll be invited to repeat the necessary portions.
Life Jacket and Safety Equipment
We can loan you a personal flotation device (PFD), also known as a lifejacket, along with other safety equipment. PFDs must be worn at all times when outside the cabin while the boat is underway. For your safety, put it on before the boat starts moving, especially when departing from or returning to the dock.
ASA Certification
Once you’ve passed the course, ASA will mail you a certification sticker to add to your logbook.
What's Included
What to Expect
Schedule and Crew Information:
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Meeting Location: Afterguard Sailing Academy, 1285 Embarcadero, Oakland, CA 94606
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Course Duration: This is a three-day weekend course, starting on Friday with a lecture from 6pm-8pm. Classes on Saturday and Sunday run from 9:30am to 4:30pm and are spent mostly on the boat on the water sailing.
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Exam: The written exam takes place at the end of the second day of class. Students must demonstrate proficiency in hands-on skills before being permitted to sit for the written test.
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Crew Limit: Maximum of four students per boat with one instructor.
What Boats are Used:
Training typically takes place on one of our Ranger 23s. We have five in the fleet, all with outboard engines. Depending on the needs of the class, instruction may take place on a larger vessel, such as one of our two Cal 2-25s with inboard engines.
Additional Info:
The first evening workshop (6pm-8:30pm) starts the ashore knowledge with review of the book quiz questions. Following morning, begin at the boat with pre-cruise check sheet to prepare the boat for 2 full days of sailing. Second section has an evening of introduction to navigation before the last 2 days of hands-on training. A favorite, and Afterguard's unique part of the last 2 days, is a 'zero visibility' exercise to prepare for fog on SF Bay waters.
Very comprehensive course for new SF Bay Skippers or new boat owners. For those with years of self-taught sailing, we recommend challenging ASA 101, then start your professional training with part or all of the ASA 103 course. It fills in holes in skills and knowledge common to miss when learning on your own, from friends, or by racing.
COB options, sail trim, jibing arc, docking techniques, anchoring ... Holder of an ASA-103 certification is qualified to sail up to 31' boats in semi-protected waters, accepted world-wide. For San Francisco Bay sailing, ASA 103 allows sailing in SF Bay's semi-protected micro climate close to our base. This area includes up to, but not beyond South/East of the Bay Bridge!
As you begin your ASA 103, now is the time to begin preparing your own 'sea bag' of sailing gear. Start the collection by acquiring real sailing gloves, a waterproof top layer (aka weather-proof or foul weather gear) and pants or bibs are great, but waterproof sailing boots/shoes are recommended for the top of your list. These help to keep you dry when sailing year round! Look for your personal flotation. Suggest an inflatable lifevest, preferably with a harness built in, best kind does not use metal near the heart. Also a 6' tether. Best kind of tether are made with a built-in bungie. For brands or links, contact the office. Dress for this class according to the weather reports - might need a tech shirt to wick perspiration away from the skin, or a warm underlayer. Can view current or by the month predictions with links from our website front page.
After graduation:
~ your teacher will sign your official Logbook for ASA103 certification
~ ASA will mail you the ASA103 certification sticker to add in your official Logbook
~ can schedule the included free independent half-day practice session (4h) with your classmates, on one of our Ranger 23', to get the free boat rental: A. must be scheduled within 30 days of class graduation, B. have at least one of your classmates joining you. This half-day bonus is per class (not per student) & independent practice means no teacher onboard :) If feel you need more coaching or support from a teacher, call the office to arrange. Can be the same or a different teacher from the instructor in your course.
Need 104 to cross under the Bay Bridge for sailing in Central Bay or sailing up to the GG Bridge. To be able to take ASA 104, must log 6 practice sails as skipper or an active crew member. Afterguard member/student's options: 1st Sunday Bay Sails; volunteer as a BK1 first mate (reinforce what you have learned by sharing with others your best version of how to be a qualified first mate); join the afternoon/evening Group Practice Sails (weekly on Thursdays and Sundays); as a school member, can join the Afterguard Crew Group for more sailing opportunities with fellow members. Afterguard provides many low cost ways to log six practice sails to settle the volume of course information you've gathered so far. Helps to prepare for ASA 104.
When You Complete this Course:
Passing this course allows you to rent/charter the boats from our fleet for sailing in the Oakland Estuary. ASA 103 is required to sail outside the Estuary in open Bay waters. ASA 101 international certification certifies the sailor is prepared for protected waters for vessels 25' and under on light to moderate winds and flat seas. In San Francisco Bay waters, the only place near our fleet that fits that definition is the Oakland Estuary.