IRVINGTON BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Liveaboard Mastery: ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising from Irvington Aboard a 58' Catamaran
A four‑day liveaboard training that teaches advanced sail, navigation, docking and systems management and culminates in ASA 104 certification.
Liveaboard Mastery: ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising from Irvington Aboard a 58' Catamaran.
Board a 58‑foot catamaran at Tides Inn Marina in Irvington for an intensive liveaboard course that compresses multi‑day cruising, passage planning and night operations into a practical certification program. Across three nights and four days you’ll move between small Chesapeake ports while learning advanced sail trim, emergency procedures, anchoring and systems management through classroom review and hands‑on vessel operation.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Practical liveaboard training aboard a 58' catamaran
This course is delivered as a true liveaboard: you sleep on the boat, sail the passages, and operate systems over three nights to gain real‑world experience in multi‑day cruising.
Earn ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising
Successful completion awards the ASA 104 certification, with an optional ASA 114 catamaran upgrade available at checkout for students who choose it.
Preparation for international chartering and extended passages
The syllabus emphasizes advanced sail trim, navigation, docking, anchoring and systems management, plus evening passage review and night operations to prepare students for extended or international bareboat charters.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
Days alternate between hands‑on watchstanding and classroom review: you’ll sail daily passages between ports, practice docking and anchoring, run through systems management and set aside evening sessions to review the day and observe night lighting and night operations. The program balances practical seamanship with planned written testing and logbook sign‑offs by course end.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should prepare more before enrolling.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Four days of liveaboard instruction (three nights aboard) with daily passages that average about 35 nautical miles per day.
The course begins and ends at Tides Inn Marina, Irvington, VA. Meet the captain in the main lobby at 9:00am on Day 1.
Bring your course textbook and essential gear; ASA 104 requires a parallel ruler and dividers for chart work (you may bring your own or add a premium set at checkout).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What certifications are included?
This course includes the ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification. Students may optionally add ASA 114 Catamaran Cruising during checkout.
Do I need ASA 103 before taking this course?
Yes. Completion of ASA 101 and 103 (or the equivalent experience) is required before enrolling. The operator can help evaluate your readiness if you’re unsure.
Where does the trip begin and end?
The course starts and ends at Tides Inn Marina in Irvington, VA. You’ll meet your captain in the main lobby at 9:00am on Day 1.
Where will we sleep?
You will sleep aboard the 58’ catamaran Pisces in one of four private cabins; each cabin shares a head with one adjoining cabin. Accommodations are simple but comfortable and appropriate for training.
What chart‑plotting tools do I need?
ASA 104 requires a parallel ruler and dividers. You may bring your own set or add a premium set at checkout; lower‑cost sets are available but students report mixed results.
Will there be time for testing?
Yes. Around two hours are set aside on Day 4 for the written ASA 104 and/or 114 exams, followed by logbook sign‑offs and final evaluations.