u/krysjez

I’ve been offered a small scholarship ($250 discount) to take an ASA class at one of the sailing clubs in Seattle but I’m not sure which to go for.

I sailed centerboard dinghies on the river in Boston for several years (I’d estimate over 200 hours) and have informally taught the basics of sailing to many people (at CBI for those familiar). I have been on other small dinghies (Lasers, Sunfish) a handful of times. I’ve skippered 20ft keelboats 3? times in calm conditions, been crew on keelboats ranging from 20 to 50ft maybe 20? times, and most recently was a passenger helping out occasionally on a bareboat catamaran charter in Saint Martin. Mostly cruising, not much interest in racing.

I was told I have enough experience to skip ASA101, but the problem is that big boats and deep water still make me a bit nervous - since almost all my experience is with dinghies on a river I don’t really know anything about docking procedures or working with engines. I recently learned to tie a bowline at last (I know…)

They told me I could take 102, but from what I see this is much more race/performance oriented and I’m not clear if it would fulfill the prerequisites for 103+104. My eventual goal is to be able to skipper a keelboat and one day charter outside the US.

If anyone has taken 102 or has a similar background and taken 101/103, I would love to hear your impressions and experience. Thanks!