ASA 103
13 August 2017
This past weekend I took the second part of my sailing certification – the ASA 103. This class was to build on the basics we learned in 101, providing a more in depth look at the rules of the water, the operation of the boat, and of course the safety measures that are so important out on the sea. This is the second class in line to have the certification to bareboat charter! “Bareboat chartering” is renting a sailboat without a captain accompanying us, where I would be free to take the boat out on my own. Without certified proof that I am capable to do this, most rental agencies would not likely hand me the keys to a half-million dollar sailboat, and would require the hiring of a captain along with renting the boat. ASA 104 is the level that would get me that certification, but I still need to work my way up to that.
The weather was nicer this go around than for 101; and with only one other member in the class, we could focus more personally on learning our skills.
To start off this class we pulled the boat apart! We inspected the engine, the bilge, the batteries, all the through-hull points, and of course toilet pump as well. We carefully checked the water filters for the engine cooling and air conditioning, as both were pulled from the water under the boat, and you don’t need sea-life clogging the pipes or stinking up the living area. Learning how to trim sails, navigate, and steer the ship are all important, but equally important is learning the ins and outs to know where to look for problems. After all, setting the sails and navigating to your destination is pointless if the through hull is leaking and you're taking on water. It’s best to be very familiar with how and where to find everything and what to look for- as they say an issue doesn’t come up on a calm sunny day at anchor, it happens in the middle of the night during a rain storm. Unless it’s the hoses. The captain said every boat he saw that had sunk did so at the dock, and each one was because a hose was leaking while the boat was unattended. So, naturally, we went over the hoses – where they were, what a good one looks like, what a bad one looks like, and how to replace before a problem arises. Important stuff to know, especially when alone on the open water…
We practiced maneuvering in tight areas using our momentum and “prop walk” to basically turn the boat on a dime. Prop Walk was a new concept to me, I learned this is where the aft of the boat will swing out to the side when the propeller is started. Normally you steer against this to keep straight, but if you need a tight turn you can use this to work with your steering. We stayed in the marina where we were able to practice coming about in a very narrow area, which was made tense by the fact that if we messed up, we were going to hit the Moshulu. Yikes!
We eventually went out on the river proper, practiced anchoring, more tacking, some advanced man overboard recovery techniques, and navigating with the compass. We learned the Williamson Turn - a maneuver for retrieving a man overboard while under engine power. Working on that also helps you practice navigating with and turning according to compass points. Great stuff!
After enough practice, the captain sailed us up and down the river as we took our test. Much more in depth than our previous test in 101, more in depth and more difficult. I did pass though, and now have the 103 stamp on my sailing resume. Next stop – ASA 104, and once that is passed, I should be able to charter a boat anywhere in the world!
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