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ASA 108
Offshore Passagemaking
Dreaming of sailing further offshore? If your dreams include sailing away, this is the course for you.
Join a course that includes sailing non-stop just over 100 miles from shore where the reflection waves fade, and it is just the rhythm of gentle ocean swells, or clashing weather systems that roll your boat. Plan, prepare a boat, provision for the trip, store all gear then sail out and back over the course of a week.
This course requires ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106 plus associated offshore supportive trips. ASA 117 & 107. First Aid and CPR. Offshore Medicine and Night sailing.
Passing this course allows you to rent/charter the boats from our fleet for sailing anywhere, but longer trips outside the Golden Gate bridge should be agreed with the Admiral.
7 day live aboard trip
We have the boats and instructors. Must have 4 students to schedule. Contact the office to discuss your plans and goals
ASA 108 Course Description
Gain experience skippering a sailing vessel on extended offshore passages requiring celestial navigation. Knowledge of long-term passage planning, offshore vessel selection, sail repair, offshore first aid, watch-keeping, emergency procedures, abandon ship protocols, safety and seamanship
What's Included
ASA 108 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.
Before the Course
Purchase the ASA 108 textbook, Offshore Passagemaking, through our office or on 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.
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 seven-day course spent mostly on the boat on the water sailing.
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Crew Communication: As with ASA 104 & 106, students will be contacted in advance to coordinate provisioning.
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Exam: The written exam takes place during an evening at anchor. 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:
In this ASA Course, you will be learning on a 35+ ft blue water sailing boat, normally our comfortable 45ft Benateau, Ohana.
What to wear:
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Layers! Look up the weather for that weekend or weekday series. Dress in layers according to the weather predictions. Vests are a good under/over layer. Use a base layer per the weather and add to it up to a wind-breaker. If raining - bring a waterproof over layer for top and bottom.
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Footwear: Soft soled shoes for traction on the deck. Non-marking required or will be scrubbing decks of black marks dark soles leave behind. No bare-feet, open toed or flip-flops. Broken toes are painful and your responsibility. This is a sincere warning.
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Headware: Recommend a brimmed hat with a keeper that will not blow off your head, for your time on the water. If cold - bring a warm hat or perhaps a warm ear covering headband.
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Hands: Garden gloves with rubberized palms and without finger tips are a plus. If cold warm gloves as well.
What else to bring:
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Bring a lunch for both Saturday and Sunday, including water or other liquids to stay hydrated. If you bring a refillable bottle, please make sure you take it with you at the end of your course. Next to sunglasses, they are the most popular item in our Lost&Found pile!
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Always bring sunscreen, chapstick and sunglasses. Keepers for glasses and hats can save you lots of money.
Additional info:
There are bathrooms at our facility and on the boats. Please make sure to check in with your teacher about how to use the 'head 'on the boat, before leaving the docks!