Cruising can range from day sails to living aboard longer trips of several days or more, to extended sails with offshore passages.

NESC has developed a five day International Bareboat Cruising Certification (IBCC) course. The curriculum can be completed within a Monday through Friday consecutive course with live aboard format, or it can be split over weekends into a two day session and a three day session. With a three day weekend course students add in a Friday or Monday to complete their final weekend session.

Your classroom will be your cruising boat. Training will cover both theory and skill requirements for the Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Cruising standards. The first two days will cover the skills for Basic Coastal Cruising with the option for ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising certification. The final three days will cover the skills for Bareboat Cruising with the option for ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification. Completion of your training will qualify you to sail a cruising yacht up to 54 feet. Testing for the ASA Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Cruising certifications will provide you with International recognition of your qualifications.

We have a maximum of four students in our group courses. Private lessons are also available for individuals, couples and families. Contact us to check course availability and to schedule your course.

If certifying, students must have completed the Basic Keelboat course or have comparable training to challenge the certification.

Students may choose to complete the ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising certification exam after completing the second day’s curriculum.

Students may choose to complete the ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification exam after completing the fifth day’s curriculum.

Split course options:
If unable to schedule the full five days consecutively and prefer to schedule the 103 and 104 certification levels as separate course; or have previously completed the 103 level, trainees may choose from the following options:

ASA 103 2 day Day Sailor course  $1,099
ASA 104 3 day Strictly Cruising course  $1,595

Monohulls:
Beneteau 39
Bavaria 46

Curriculum for this course includes a review of terminology and sailing techniques relative to a mid-size auxiliary cruising sailboat followed by on the water training. Topics covered include auxiliary cruising sailboat systems, maneuvering under power and sail, basic coastal navigation and coarse plotting, reefing, anchoring, crew overboard, safety at sea, radio operation, weather forecast interpretation, and heavy weather techniques.

Visit our International Bareboat Cruising Certification Overview for more information on this course.