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What Charter Companies Say About Certification Your concern about ASA certification to bareboat charter is a question we hear often. It is a popular belief that charter companies require a certificate of course completion before they will let their sailboats out. Practically speaking, if I were a charter company, I would want those that were taking my expensive boat away from the dock to be competent too. My research has shown that charter companies are much more interested in a “sailing resume” than a certificate from ASA or Bonneville. They will usually have you fill out a form detailing your sailing experience and will provide a skipper for a half-day or so, to familiarize you with the boat if they feel they need to. Along those same lines, a couple of our dock mates went to the Sea of Abaco to charter, and that company didn’t ask for any credentials. No resume or certification. A short conversation with potential customers can reveal all the information needed. The objective of our “Learn to Sail” programs, (Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) is to qualify folks to sail on distant oceans. Many of those that have successfully completed our courses, have gone on to charter bare boats, purchase their own boats or continue to move up to more advanced sailing skills. The ASA students that have gone through our programs all have the same evaluation: “the courses [ASA] were good, but important information was verbalized and actual hands on experience was not applied.” This is the main reason Bonneville has decided not to be restricted to ASA or US Sailing curriculum. Those same students say they wished they would have been able to practice forereaching in strong winds, experience night sailing, or actually reef underway (practice makes perfect) etc. We cover safe boat handling procedures until you feel you have command of the maneuver. Visit Moorings site to see what they say about qualifications “No formal certification is required for most of our destinations.” Sun Sail says: “The good news is you don't need any formal certification.”
Slip Aweigh Yacht Charters in the BVI says: “You don’t need a license or a school card. Experience is usually the best teacher.”
Margo at Slip Aweigh can also let you know which companies in the BVI are reputable. We would be happy to answer any additional questions you may have. |
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