HARRISON TOWNSHIP SAILING FIELD GUIDE
Skipper’s Trial by Wind: ASA 104 Bareboat Certification from Harrison Township
A three-day, two-night American Sailing Association 104 Bareboat Chartering course that puts you at the helm of a 30–50 ft cruising sloop — the credential many charters require for the Caribbean and Bahamas.
Skipper’s Trial by Wind: ASA 104 Bareboat Certification from Harrison Township.
ASA 104 is an advanced three-day bareboat chartering standard run from Harrison Township that combines hands-on skipper time on a 30–50 foot sailboat with instruction in navigation, systems, and maintenance — culminating in practical assessment over two nights aboard.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A credential for Caribbean and Bahamas charters
ASA 104 is the bareboat chartering standard many Caribbean and Bahamas operators require, certifying that you can safely skipper and manage a cruising yacht.
Skipper a 30–50 foot cruising yacht
Students act as skipper or crew on 30–50 foot sailboats, learning systems, maintenance procedures, and day-sailing operations in coastal waters as part of the course standard.
Three days, two nights of practical training
The course runs over three days and includes two nights aboard the boat, giving students concentrated, real-world time to practice navigation and boat handling.
What the day feels like
What the three-day course feels like
Over an intense three-day schedule you'll move from classroom and on-deck briefing to hands-on daysailing in coastal waters, then spend two nights aboard to consolidate watch routines, provisioning, and systems checks — all while demonstrating the navigation theory and practical skills required of an ASA 104 skipper.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who should prepare elsewhere first.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Sunscreen, a floating jacket, foul-weather gear, toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste), and personal items for two nights aboard. Students are responsible for planning and purchasing food and beverages as part of the curriculum and will split provision costs.
Price includes course materials, the book “Bareboat Cruising Made Easy,” and testing fees; students handle their own provisions.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is ASA 104 and how many nights will I spend aboard?
ASA 104 is a three-day course and includes two nights on the sailboat.
What are the pre-requisites for enrolling in ASA 104?
Pre-requisites are ASA 101 Basic Keelboat and ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising.
What age do I need to be to participate?
Participants must be adults aged 18 or older.
Will I get a certificate useful for chartering overseas?
Yes — ASA 104 is the bareboat chartering standard required by many Caribbean and Bahamas charter operators.
What does the course fee cover and what do I need to buy?
The fee includes course materials, the “Bareboat Cruising Made Easy” book, and testing fees. Students plan and purchase their own food and beverages and split provision costs.
Where do I meet for the course?
The course meets at Lambrecht Marina (previously Markley Marine), 31300 N River Rd, Harrison Charter Township, MI 48045.