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ASA 102
Keelboat 2: Core Skills
Launches February 2024
ASA 102 provides sailors with structured time on the water to develop sailing skills that make them more confident, and capable. Sailors of all levels (even ASA 106 grads) are encouraged to take ASA 102: Keelboat 2. There are parts of this course that will help even advanced sailors improve their sail trim and handling.
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4 Full Sailing Days over two weekends (or possible weekdays on request).
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Member Price: $945
Non-member Price: $1135
What's Included
Before the Course
The ASA 102 textbook will be released shortly. If you sign-up for this class we will inform you as soon as it's available. Read the book and complete the quizzes throughout to prepare you for the course and the terminology used.
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In addition, ASA are offering an on-line prep class. Details at https://learn.asa.com/p/asa-102-prep-west-coast
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What to expect
Schedule and Crew:
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Meet at Afterguard Sailing Academy, 1285 Embarcadero (Oakland CA 94606)
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This is weekend course over two weekends (saturday-sunday 9:30am to 4:30pm). Class is spent mostly on the boat on the water sailing.
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Weekday schedule can be arranged - please enquire.
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The written exam is at the end the last day on the water. Students need to pass the hands-on skills portion before taking the written test.
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The course max is four students per boat with 1 instructor
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What Boats are Used:
In this ASA Course, you will be sailing on a cal 25 with inboard engine or 30ft+ boat such as Nancy, Renaissance or Passion.
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What to wear:
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Layers! Look up the weather for that weekend or weekday series. Dress in layers according to the weather predictions. Vests are a good under/over layer. Use a base layer per the weather and add to it up to a wind-breaker. If raining - bring a waterproof over layer for top and bottom.
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Footwear: Soft soled shoes for traction on the deck. Non-marking required or will be scrubbing decks of black marks dark soles leave behind. No bare-feet, open toed or flip-flops. Broken toes are painful and your responsibility. This is a sincere warning.
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Headware: Recommend a brimmed hat with a keeper that will not blow off your head, for your time on the water. If cold - bring a warm hat or perhaps a warm ear covering headband.
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Hands: Sailing gloves or Garden gloves with rubberized palms and without finger tips are a plus. If cold warm gloves are recommended.
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What else to bring:
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Bring a lunch for both Saturday and Sunday, including water or other liquids to stay hydrated. If you bring a refillable bottle, please make sure you take it with you at the end of your course. Next to sunglasses, they are the most popular item in our Lost&Found pile!
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Always bring sunscreen, chapstick and sunglasses. Keepers for glasses and hats can save you lots of money.
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Additional info:
There are bathrooms at our facility and on the boats. Please make sure to check in with your teacher about how to use the 'head 'on the boat, before leaving the docks!
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​When You Complete this Course:
Passing this course allows you to rent/charter the boats from our fleet for sailing in the Oakland Estuary. ASA 103 is required to sail outside the Estuary in open Bay waters. ASA 102 certifies the sailor is prepared for protected waters for vessels < 30' in light to moderate winds.
ASA 102 - Course Description
ASA 102 is brand new American Sailing Association certification for 2024.
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For more details on what you learn in this course go to — https://asa.com/certifications/asa-102-keelboat-2/
What's covered in the ASA 102?
Course syllabus
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Terminology
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1. **Sail Parts Terminology:**
- Standing Rigging
- Backstay
- Forestay
- Shroud
- Mast
- Boom
- Spreader
- Running Rigging
- Boom vang
- Main sheet
- Jib sheet
- Traveler
- Jib lead
- Main halyard
- Jib halyard
- Outhaul
- Downhaul/cunningham
- Sails
- Mainsail
- Jib / Genoa
- Batten & Batten Pocket
- Head / Tack / Clew
- Luff / Leech / Foot
- Bolt rope / Luff Slide
- Other Parts
- Cleat
- Gooseneck
- Roller furler
- Shackle
- Telltales (luff, leech, in rigging)
- Tiller
- Wheel
- Winch & Winch handle
- Crew Roles
- Jib trimmer
- Mainsail trimmer
- Helmsperson
- Wind & Trim Concepts
- True wind
- Apparent wind
- Lift
- Flow
- Stall
- Airfoil
- Weather helm
- Chord length
- Angle of Attack
- Depth (camber or draft)
- Draft position
- Twist
Safety: Preparation & Procedures
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2. **Safety Information Sources**
3. **Skipper Responsibilities to Crew & Vessel**
4. **Crew & Skipper Preparedness for Day Sail**
5. **Safety Gear for 20-30ft Vessels in Day Winds**
6. **Common Danger Areas on a Boat**
7. **Conditions Making Boom, Lines, Sheets Safety Issues**
8. **Appropriate Line Handling & Winch Use**
9. **Safe Fending Procedures**
10. **COB Procedures: Figure-8 & Quick-Stop Recovery**
Boat Handling
11. **Coming About: Course, Steps, Commands/Communication**
12. **Weather Helm Control**
13. **Jibing Steps for Helmsperson & Crew**
14. **Tiller Extension: Advantages & Challenges**
Trim Concepts
15. **Factors Affecting Lift on Sailboats**
16. **Apparent Wind Triangle**
17. **Close Hauled vs. Off Wind Sailing Trim**
Sail Shape and Power
18. **Sail Power Sources: Angle of Attack, Depth, Twist**
19. **Ways to Change Angle of Attack/Sail Power**
20. **Sail Power: Flat vs. Deep Camber Shape**
Sail Controls Affecting Sail Shape and Power
21. **Jib Controls Impact**
22. **Jib Fairlead Position Impact**
23. **Mainsail Controls Impact**
24. **Sail Trim Impact on Boat Attributes**
25. **Maximizing Sail Power in Light Air**
26. **Boom Vang Tension's Impact on Mainsail**
SKILLS
Safety: Preparation & Procedures
27. **Winch, Winch Handle, Line Handling**
28. **COB Figure-8 & Quick-Stop Recovery**
Boat Handling
29. **Rigging, Sailing, Dropping & Stowing Sails**
30. **Proper Driver Position & Helm Technique**
31. **Proper Tacking Technique**
32. **Sailing with Tiller Tied Off**
33. **Proper Jibing Technique**
34. **Coming Out of Irons & Backing Jib**
35. **Heaving-To Technique**
Sail Controls Affecting Sail Shape and Power
36. **Jib Control Use & Impact**
37. **Optimum Moderate Air Upwind Jib Trim**
38. **Mainsail Control Use & Impact**
39. **Traveler Use for Boat Balance**
40. **Outhaul Tension Impact on Mainsail**
Upwind Sail Trim
41. **Steering for Full Sail Power**
42. **Optimum Sail Power in Light Air**
43. **Controlling Heeling & Helm in Moderate/Fresh Winds**
44. **Depowering Techniques**
45. **Puff Response**
46. **Steering in 'The Groove'**
47. **Mainsail Reef Setting/Shaking Out**
Reaching and Running Sail Trim
48. **Reach Sail Trim with Jib & Mainsail**
49. **Course Change Trim Technique**
50. **Understanding Sailing by the Lee**
51. **Steering on a Wing on Wing Course**
52. **Maneuvering by Adjusting Trim**
53. **Sail Trim to Maintain Steady Course**