Bareboat Skipper ASA104: Intensive three‑day skipper certification from Elliott Bay Marina

SEATTLE SAILING FIELD GUIDE

Bareboat Skipper ASA104: Intensive three‑day skipper certification from Elliott Bay Marina

A three‑day, two‑night ASA104 Bareboat Skipper course based at Elliott Bay Marina that teaches handling of 30′–45′ sloop‑rigged boats, navigation, docking and emergency procedures.

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Bareboat Skipper ASA104: Intensive three‑day skipper certification from Elliott Bay Marina.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Seattle
Operator
Northwest Sailing
Category
Sailing
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Over three consecutive days and two nights out of Elliott Bay Marina, the ASA104 Bareboat Skipper course trains small groups to handle 30′–45′ sloop‑rigged, auxiliary‑powered sailboats while covering navigation, docking, anchoring, boat systems and emergency operations.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE BOAT

Sloop‑rigged 30′–45′ yachts

Instruction takes place aboard 30′–45′ sloop‑rigged, auxiliary‑powered sailboats, with hands‑on practice of sail trim, inboard engines and boat systems.

THE CLASS

Small groups and private cabins

The course caps at three students, allowing personalized instruction and a private cabin per student (or shared cabin options for couples); the package includes the ASA textbook and test/certification fees.

THE CURRICULUM

Coastal navigation, docking and emergency ops

Overland and onboard lessons cover provisioning, boat systems (engine, galley, head, electrical, heaters), advanced sail trim, anchoring/mooring, docking, plotting courses, tides, currents and emergency operations.

What the day feels like

What the three‑day course feels like

The three‑day, two‑night format pairs classroom and onboard instruction with practical cruising: students sail in inland and coastal waters, practice docking and anchoring, plot courses and learn systems and emergency procedures under instructor supervision.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this course is designed for — and who should look elsewhere.

1
Certified cruising skippersDesigned as an ASA104 progression, the course requires Cruising Skipper 103 as a prerequisite and builds toward bareboat skipper competency.
2
Solo students seeking focused instructionWith a three‑student maximum and private cabins, the format suits solo learners seeking concentrated, hands‑on training.
3
Couples sharing a cabinThe lesson size can be extended to allow couples to share a cabin while still benefiting from the small‑group instruction model.
4
Weekend learnersOffered as three consecutive days (Friday–Sunday), the course fits sailors who can commit a single weekend to certification.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

What’s included

Price includes the ASA textbook mailed to you ahead of time, plus ASA test and certification fees.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the ASA104 Bareboat Skipper course?

The course runs three days and two nights.

Where do students meet for the course?

Meeting and departure take place at Elliott Bay Marina in Seattle.

Are there prerequisites to enroll?

Yes — Cruising Skipper 103 is required prior to enrolling in this course.

How many students are in each course?

Class size is limited to a maximum of three students.

Is tipping customary for the instructor?

Tipping the instructor is customary, typically ranging from 10% to 20% of the course fee and is greatly appreciated.

What nights are spent aboard?

The three‑day course includes two nights onboard: one night at anchor and one night docked.