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Bareboat Cruising / Charter Certification (ASA 104) "Liveaboard" 2 Day Class

This class includes a night at anchor and all meals!

(9AM Saturday to 5PM Sunday or 9AM Wednesday to 5PM Thursday)

The goal of this overnight course is for the student to achieve the competency level to be able to skipper a 30 to 40 foot sailboat for a multi-day cruise in a variety of conditions. It is the minimum level of proficiency required by most charter companies. Course subjects include chart reading, coastal navigation, proper use and interpretation of buoys, lights and aids to navigation. Your instruction will also include the operation and maintenance of all boat systems. With a maximum of only 4 students, everyone receives plenty of helm time and hands-on sailing. And, enjoy the cruising lifestyle with an overnight at anchor (weather-permitting)!

There will be both a written and a skills test to complete the course. Thorough study of your text will prepare you for your course and greatly enhance your learning experience. The Bareboat Cruising/Charter Certification (ASA 104) curriculum (link below) is helpful to follow while reviewing the text and will streamline your studying.

$1075 per person (private stateroom)
$925 per person (shared stateroom)*

Spend 2 days/1 night living aboard and learning from an ASA certified USCG Captain/Instructor. Tuition includes your ASA 104 certification, linens, meal provisioning and fuel.

*To receive the shared stateroom discount, you and the person you will be sharing a stateroom with must book your course together. We do not pair people who do not know each other. Occasionally a berth in the main salon may be available at the shared stateroom rate.

Package Special:
Purchase ASA 101-104 together and receive up to $1325 in coupons for future classes, instruction and charters! Click here for details on coupons included with the Package Special.

Private Course Option:
Group classes normally consist of 4 students and one instructor. This option allows 2 or 3 students who are traveling together to close their course to additional students, creating a private course. With this option the rates below replace the standard tuition rates.

  2 students: $1795/person, All Inclusive
  3 students: $1215/person, All Inclusive

This course covers ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising).

If you prefer to join the class to practice hands-on skills but not pursue ASA certifications, you are welcome to do so. Please let us know if you will not be pursuing ASA certifications and we will discount your tuition $20.

Basic Sailing (ASA 101) and Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103)
If you don’t have the prerequisites, but do have equivalent experience, click here for information on challenging prerequisite certifications.

Classes occur either Saturday-Sunday or Wednesday-Thursday and are overnight. To register for a course please contact us at 360-671-8339 or school@sanjuansailing.com. The same date being listed more than once indicates multiple sessions of this class on that date.

Course Full? If the course you are seeking is full, please contact us to be put on a waitlist.

Bareboat Cruising Made Easy by American Sailing Association

Order texts online through the ASA Store, through Amazon or iBooks, or check out from your local library.

Click here for information on options to let you implement and enjoy what you have learned after graduation and to help you continue to build your sailing skills.


Class size is limited, so please contact us at 360-671-8339 or by e-mail for course availability, to register or if you have additional questions. If none of the above dates fit your schedule, please contact us to explore alternate arrangements.

Go to the following links for more information:

Special Opportunities

Courses & Stateroom Bookings Spring & Summer Guided Flotillas Fall Guided Flotillas
Stateroom Bookings 10-Day Sunshine Coast 7-Day Independence Celebration 7-Day San Juans & Saanich
2-Day Sailing Courses 10-Day Barkley Sound 7-Day San Juan Islands 14-Day Desolation Sound
Women-Only LNC 7-Day Cruising the Gulf Islands   10-Day End of Season Hoorah