CHARTER Ed

Sail-training courses can open up the pathway to bareboat chartering-and beyond.

- THERESA NICHOLSON

HITTING for CHARTER the BOOKS Certifications

What do I need to charter a sailboat? That's one of the most common questions that prospective sailing-school students ask, says Jonathan Payne, executive director of the American Sailing Association.

"If someone wants to charter, they need to feel confident," he says. "They should have confidence in their sailing skills, docking skills, and know how to troubleshoot an engine. They should have navigational skills to manage unfamiliar waters. And they should have minimal anxiety."

Although some sailors may already have the chops needed to bareboat charter, many look to the ASA and US Sailing to gain the skills and the paperwork-that charter companies around the world often require.

Basic Keelboat Sailing (ASA 101), Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103), and Bareboat Cruising (ASA 104) are the foundational courses for learning to sail and charter a sailboat. The ASA has over 400 schools around the world. Local and weekend classes are spread across six-week courses, while destination schools in Caribbean hotspots offer seven-day liveaboard training.