One of sailing's rites of passage is the first extended offshore trip - a small boat on a big ocean, with no land in sight for three, four or more days. The skills and knowledge to deal with bluewater sailing differ from the coastal sailing skills that have already been developed. The techniques of sailing the boat are the same, but your exposure to the weather and seas is significantly greater, and the availability of outside help is limited. Self-sufficiency is key, and boat preparation is paramount.

Blue Water Sailing School offers courses to prepare students for such a trip. These courses offer the ultimate in sailing education - Celestial Navigation and Offshore Passagemaking (ASA courses 107 and 108). During this trip we will teaching and practicing the many aspects of Offshore Passagemaking: boat systems and preparation, weather and weather analysis (weather fax), heavy weather procedures, the use of sea anchors and storm sails, sail trim, watch standing, safety and emergency procedures, celestial navigation and more.

ASA 108 Offshore Passagemaking has every other ASA course (101, 103, 104, 105, 106 and 107) as prerequisites. Students should also have some significant coastal sailing experience as captain or watch leader. After completion of the course students will also be asked to complete a 3 day passage and submit a log of the voyage, with celestial sights and fixes, to our school for review. You will have one year from the date of the completion of the course to fulfill this requirement.



Schedule and Details

Year 2008 Courses

June 2008 - St. Thomas - Bermuda - Newport

November 2008 - Ft. Lauderdale - St. Thomas

Courses|Home|Prices

ASA Standards | ASA Courses | Bookstore | Charters | Contact Us | Details | Directions | Equipment | FAQs | Links | Locations | Offshore Passagemaking | Private School | Recognition | Schedule | Testimonials | Terms and Conditions | Why

All pages, copyright © BWSS, Inc.