Cruising & Seamanship 421

Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Certification and Auxiliary Keelboat 301 or equivalent.

Course Description

This course provides a true experience of life aboard a modern cruising sailboat. Conducted in an ‘adventure vacation’ atmosphere, participants will experience every important aspect of sailboat cruising, from planning to execution. It is the perfect venue for sailors to absorb the essence of a cruising lifestyle and to obtain worldwide chartering credentials.

Conducted aboard a modern cruising vessel this course is designed for maximum results. To that end, each challenge planned and executed by the team members, under the watchful guidance of their professional Captain/Instructor. Challenges are many and rewards are profound. Successful graduates receive US Sailing’s Basic Cruising Certification and Bareboat Cruising Certification, the premier standard of accomplishment. With prior approval, this course may also be experienced as a charter vacation or as a not-for-certification educational experience.

Introduction to vessel and systems
Cruise planning
Safety in emergency situations
Blue water passage- making and night sailing
Storm procedures, at sea and at anchor
Basic Coastal Navigation and Piloting
Rules of the Road
Close quarter maneuvering
Advanced docking/mooring/anchoring
Routine boat maintenance and repair

Representative Schedule of Events:

Crew meetings with captain in advance of class.
Crews will meet onboard the evening prior to departure.
Crew members set watch schedules and assign responsibilities
Captain briefs the team on safety, seamanship, navigation and vessel operations
Crews provision the vessel and stow all gear
Cast-off for the first port of call
Fun and learning

Course Details

Texts: US Sailing’s Basic Cruising,
Bareboat Cruising
Vessel: Modern 32-43’ cruising vessel
Participants: min of 3, max of 6
Custom classes available for groups of 3 or more
Dates and fees are negotiable for group bookings
Participation is limited and spaces fill quickly. Make your reservation today.

Tentative 2012 Dates, Call to Register

Chicago Departure* (July 9-13)
Chicago Departure* (August 13-17)

US Sailing Certfications available *

*Subject to US Sailing standards
of testing and qualification.

Course Fees **

Attractively priced at $1,400pp or, $2,500 for two (double occupancy only), including two certifications for qualifying individuals.

** .Exclusive of dockage, food and beverages, travel and lodging or personal expenses.

Course Reviews
"Rorke is an excellent skipper and teacher. We learned so much from him that it is hard to re-count the many and varied ways that he taught us about Bareboat Cruising."
- Garnett Todd

"The 5-day cruising course was entirely awesome!! We ended up agreeing to go 7-days, and in that 7-days we experienced: all types of weather and sailing conditions, saw some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets known to human kind, hiked South Manitou, ate Cinnamon Twists at Barb's Bakery in Northport, slept on the deck at Ellison Bay in Door County with the most incredible starry canopy above us, photographed for permanent record one of our fellow students scaling the mast, and finally arrived back in Milwaukee to an air show with military jets screaming overhead."
- Libby Wright

"...on top of learning a lot we had a great time, saw some amazing places and got hours and hours of sailing experience, including two lake crossings, on a fantastic boat."
-Thomas Grossmann