offshore sailing classes?

[ronc98]

I have been solo sailing on my c-26 for the past four years.  I feel I have a pretty good grasp on basic sailing on inland lakes.  I am wanting to get some experience in offshore sailing.  I am not sure what the best way to go is.   I have limited time but I can get away for a week at a time rather easly.  It would be great to find a mentor that just needs crew for a passage.  Or maybe I need to take an offshore sailing class for a week or two.  I am thinking that since the class is design to actually teach something I might be better off taking a few classes before I head out on my own.

Any input on what others have done and if I do take some offshore course what should look for.   

Since I am in Ohio and winter is coming I am limited to place south. 

[Zen]

I think taking a class is a good idea. Even more so if you cannot do just mini trips out with someone or alone. However I'm not sure if you can just take an offshore class. Most that I have seen require that you have had some foundation classes before that.  my 2 yen   :)

[ronc98]

I agree that I need to take a class.  From the research I have done it looks like I am going to have to take the asa 101 thry 104 classes first.   I can get this done all at once in a week I guess.  I guess at this point I just need to find a decent school in florida that is economical. 

I might was well spend some of my money before loose the rest in the stock market.

[ronc98]

I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum.  Can I get a mod to move this thread to the correct area.  Sorry for the confusion

[Lynx]

You need to get up to bare boat first. Then a few months coastal experience. the Offshore course will give you some needed training but you may want to study the books and train yourself for the money spent.

There is a few ASA schools that offer the Offshore course. But I suppgest that you train up to bare boat first and then take your boat coastal for a few months before doing the course.

[Norm]

Hello All:
I post this in the few minutes I have before heading out to teach an ASA 105 and 106 course in the USVI and BVI.  It is a week that will involve coastal navigation (105) and day and night... advanced coastal cruising in Caribbean near-offshore waters.

The ASA Offshore Passage Making program is not offered too often.  There are some schools that do offshore programs by getting students to pay tuition for a berth on a yacht delivery. 

In Boston, I taught an equivalent to ASA 106 course.  Students routinely tell me the night time sailing along the coast is way, way more challenging than the night time sailing in open waters.  It is harder to sail/pilot from Boston to NYC than sail NY to Bermuda.  I would advise anyone to get really good at the near-shore cruising before going offshore.

Must run.

[Zen]

I would suggest depending on your skill level to challenge Bk1 and BCC, then take the class on Bareboat & Advanced Coastal. You can save some money that way. If you have the time and money go for the whole series.