PREPARATION FOR YOUR ASA COURSES

ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Sailing

We'll be at the St. Croix Yacht Club on the east end of the island (Google Maps will get you there).  We start promptly at 9am each day and end between 4 and 5pm.  Here's what you need to know to be prepared: 

* Read the ASA textbook Sailing Made Easy in advance.  You can buy it HERE, either in hard copy or iBooks format.  It provides the knowledge to support all the practical skills you'll be learning, and you'll need to pass a 100-question written exam to receive your certification. Bring your book to class.

* Wear get-wet clothes:  a swimsuit with a long-sleeved rash guard and quick-dry shorts is ideal.  If you don't have your own lifejacket to bring, let us know and we'll bring one for you.  

* Wear sunscreen (reef-friendly, no oil or spray), a stiff-brimmed hat with keeper strap, sunglasses with keeper strap.

* Bring a towel, light jacket and lunch money for our onshore lunch break.

* Bring a change of clothes for your drive home if you like.

* You can see the curriculum for your class HERE. 

ASA 101, 103, 104 Vacation Series

• You'll receive information directly from Captain Peter Branning about where and when to meet him aboard Lightheart. This will depend upon the port you've chosen and the timing of your arrival. 
• If you haven't done so already, get and study your ASA textbooks right away (Sailing Made Easy, Coastal Cruising Made Easy, Bareboat Cruising Made Easy).  You'll need to pass a 100-question exam for each course, so the more prepared you are before arrival, the better use you can make of your time aboard.  Read the books, work the test questions, and imagine yourself as master of your ship!  You can order the books in either hardcopy or iBooks format HERE. Bring your textbooks with you so you can use them in preparing for your exams. You can see the curricula for your courses HERE.
• Plan to pack lightly - a soft-sided duffle is ideal, with perhaps a daypack for going ashore.  You'll need very little - a couple of pairs of shorts, several t-shirts, a lightweight long-sleeved shirt and long pants for sun protection or perhaps a cool evening, a swimsuit or two. For dinners ashore, nothing more formal than shorts is typically required.  After a day in the sun, the evening breezes may feel cool, so it's a good idea to bring  a light jacket or sweater. You definitely will want a rain jacket, so it could do double duty. Bring a sunhat with a chin strap, sunglasses with a keeper strap, reef-friendly sunblock (no oil or sprays please). You'll need a pair of sandals for going shore.  Aboard, either bare feet or shoes/sandals with non-marring soles are the order of the day. Electricity is at a premium, so please leave hair dryers, etc. at home.  Make sure you pack your personal toiletries and medications - they will be difficult if not impossible to replace. 
• Bring cash - you'll need it for mooring fees, tips, souvenirs, etc. (In addition to any personal purchases, count on about $150 total for mooring fees, and $70 per person for BVI immigration/customs/cruising/parks fees.  Provisioning typically runs between $80-$125 per person, exclusive of alcohol, depending on your palate and how often you wish to eat ashore.  A 10-20% tip to the captain is customary in the industry, but that is totally up to you.) Both US and British Virgin Islands use US currency. Most restaurants and larger shops accept credit cards, and ATMs are scattered about; but you may pay higher bank fees for their use in the BVIs. 
• Be sure to pack your passport.  Although you can travel among the United States Virgin Islands with only your drivers license, you'll need a passport to enter the British Virgin Islands and to return to the U.S.
• Part of bareboat cruising is learning how to provision and stow - so that will be part of your first day. However, if you have any "must-have's" in the are of food and drink, you may want to bring them with you as island stores are not stocked like mainland stores.  Ask us if you have any questions about that.  Remember that it is customary to provision for the Captain as well, both aboard and ashore.
• If you think you might have any tendency toward seasickness, prevention is in order.  Most people have very good results with Scopalomine - a transdermal patch applied behind your ear.  It requires a doctor's prescription, but we've seen it be far more effective for most folks than anything you get over-the-counter.  Apply your patch at least 3 hours before boarding the boat, and avoid heavy or greasy foods until your sea legs are established.
• There's no smoking aboard Lightheart and absolutely no illegal substances are allowed aboard.  You'll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy our local rums or whatever spirits you like after hours, but we encourage you to drink in moderation as over-indulgence can interfere with your learning, your safety, and your ability to enjoy your trip with the highest level of participation.
• Here are three things we've watched people learn the hard way:  (1) The sun will likely be much stronger than you are expecting, and you are likely to burn more easily than you are expecting. A good practice is to put on sunblock first thing in the morning before you dress, and reapply frequently throughout the day. (2) You'll need to drink lots more water than usual, as the sun, wind, and heat (and alcohol!) can be very dehydrating.  (3) You'll probably use far fewer clothes and "stuff" than you think - but they will demand space and attention if you bring them.
• Plan on a week of learning, laughter, challenge, and camaraderie.  Be willing to try new things and make mistakes, to be flexible yet committed to your success.    Let a "light heart" be your guide.

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