ASA 101 and 103

After some deliberation, we decided to fast-track our bigger boat experience and took the plunge in 2014. We completed the American Sailing Association (ASA) Basic Keelboat (101) and Coastal Cruising (103) certifications, run through the New Jersey Sailing School on the Metedeconk River.

This small sailing school is great, and Captain Steve has a wealth of experience and stories to impart as you learn the ropes (pun intended).

The basic keelboat cert is mostly hands-on, with a little bit of classroom prep to begin with. Anyone who has sailed dinghies will easily cope with this course. Our on-water sailing was done in a 22ft keelboat (forget the precise make and model), and we practiced all the points of sail as both helmsman and crew.

Coastal cruising built upon the experience gained during basic keelboat, and we were let loose on a larger 30 foot O'Day vessel. Day 1 we practiced helming and crewing this larger boat, man-over-board drills, and a review of the various onboard systems. Day 2 was more of an adventure as we sailed the Metedeconk River, navigated narrow channels under power, hailed via radio and then passed under the Mantoloking Road Bridge whilst raised twice, and then anchored in Barnegat Bay for lunch. The really nice part about this sailing location was the shelter afforded by the barrier island, and the fact that we did not have to contend with swell or stronger currents.

Sailing on the Metedeconk River, NJ

ASA 103 training with Captain Steve and NJ Sailing School (http://www.njsailingschool.com/)