MONTEREY BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Three Days to Bareboat Ready: Hands‑On Cruising from Monterey on a Hunter 340
A compact, instructor‑led ASA 104 course from Sail Monterey that teaches navigation, reefing, anchoring and docking over three days aboard a Hunter 340 — a practical guide to what to expect.
Three Days to Bareboat Ready: Hands‑On Cruising from Monterey on a Hunter 340.
From the wharf at Monterey you step aboard a Hunter 340 for a focused, three‑day bareboat cruising course that pairs short classroom sessions with practical sail time and real‑world skills: navigation rules, cruise planning, reefing, compass steering, crew overboard recovery, electronic navigation, anchoring, mooring and docking in unfamiliar places.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Intimate, Hands‑On Instruction
The course is run for very small groups (up to three students), keeping instruction practical and giving each participant time at the wheel and on deck during maneuvers.
Training Aboard a Hunter 340
All lessons and practical drills take place on a Hunter 340 — the classroom and test platform for docking, reefing, anchoring and electronic navigation practice.
A Compact Curriculum of Real‑World Skills
Over three days the syllabus covers navigation rules, cruise planning, heaving to, crew‑overboard recovery, electronic instrumentation, anchoring and mooring, and docking in unfamiliar places — culminating in a written test.
What the day feels like
What the Three‑Day Course Feels Like
The course mixes brief lectures with hands‑on practice aboard the boat: mornings and afternoons are spent underway or drilling on deck, interspersed with classroom time for navigation, instrument use and cruise planning. Students learn procedures and execute them on a working cruising sloop, then test their knowledge at the end of the course.
CLASS SIZE
Intimate, Hands‑On Instruction
The course is run for very small groups (up to three students), keeping instruction practical and giving each participant time at the wheel and on deck during maneuvers.
THE PLATFORM
Training Aboard a Hunter 340
All lessons and practical drills take place on a Hunter 340 — the classroom and test platform for docking, reefing, anchoring and electronic navigation practice.
SKILLSET
A Compact Curriculum of Real‑World Skills
Over three days the syllabus covers navigation rules, cruise planning, heaving to, crew‑overboard recovery, electronic instrumentation, anchoring and mooring, and docking in unfamiliar places — culminating in a written test.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who benefits most from this course — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The course runs three days with daily hours from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Students meet at 78 Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey before boarding the training boat.
All instruction and practical sailing are conducted aboard a Hunter 340 provided by the operator.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising and Chartering course?
It is a three‑day course with daily hours from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Where do participants meet for the course?
The meeting location is 78 Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey.
What boat is used for training?
The class takes place aboard a Hunter 340.
How many students are in each class?
Classes are limited to up to three students.
Is there an assessment at the end of the course?
Yes — the syllabus culminates with a written test on day three.
What topics are covered during the course?
Topics include navigation rules, cruise planning, reefing, compass steering, crew overboard recovery, electronic instrumentation and navigation, anchoring and mooring, heaving to, and docking in unfamiliar places.