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Sailing in the bay towards the Bay Bridge and San Francisco

ASA 114
Cruising Catamarans

​Multi-Hulls are a very popular choice for sailing vacations! Multi-hulls heel less and can sail a bit faster than the average mono-hull, but must stick to a close reach vs going hard to weather. Learn about the differences in how they handle under sail and engine power. Get used to the wide hulls in docking and how to bridle for anchor. It can also be combined with 104 by request.

 

Learn to sail catamarans on Afterguards 35' x 19' Fountaine Pajot named 'Angel'

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1 Evening Lecture, 2 or 3 full sailing days.

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2 Days

Member $955

Non-member $1150

3 Days

Member $1350

Non Member - $1625

The 3 day class, as well as providing additional coverage of course material, includes Bay Area sailing sign-off allowing Catamaran rental use in the entire bay (inside Golden Gate Bridge). 

What's Included

Find a date that works for you

Need a different date? Give us a call (510) 535-1954

Before the Course

Purchase the ASA 114 textbook. Available at our office (hardcopy) or on ASA website (as ebook or hardcopy).

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Read the book and complete the quizzes throughout to prepare you for the course and the terminology used. 

What to expect

Schedule and Crew:

  • Meet at Afterguard Sailing Academy, 1285 Embarcadero (Oakland CA 94606)

  • This is a three-day Weekend Course, Friday 6pm-8pm lecture. Saturday-Sunday 9:30am to 4:30pm Class spent mostly on the boat on the water sailing. (Weekday schedule can be arranged for the lecture after sailing the first day.)

  • The written exam is at the end the 2nd day on the water. Must pass the hands-on skills before being allowed to take the written test.

  • The course max is four students per boat with 1 instructor

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What to wear:

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Hands: Garden gloves with rubberized palms and without finger tips are a plus. If cold warm gloves as well.

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What else to bring:

  • 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!

  • 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 Angel. ASA 103 is also required to sail outside the Estuary in open Bay waters. 

ASA 114 - Course Description

Able to skipper an auxiliary-powered sailing cruising catamaran of approximately 30 to 45 feet in length during a multi-day liveaboard cruise upon inland or coastal waters in moderate to heavy winds (up to 30 knots) and sea conditions. Knowledge of catamaran structure, components and features, performance under sail and power, boat systems, seamanship and safety, heavy weather operation, and emergency response.

Find a date that works for you

Great course for an introduction into sailing in the bay!

This was the perfect way to become comfortable with sailing. By the end of the course I was confident in all the terminology and functions of the boat and understood how to make adjustments to the sail. I look forward to more time on the water with Afterguard!

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Hannah R. (ASA 101 course July 2023) 

ASA 114 Syllabus

Knowledge

 

## Catamaran Terminology

1. **Structural Components:**
   - Catamaran Hull
   - Nacelle
   - Full Bridgedeck
   - Partial Bridgedeck
   - Deckhouse
   - Crossbeams
   - Fixed keel
   - Daggerboard
   - Escape hatch
   - Trampoline
   - Bridle
   - Twin engine
   - Mainsail
   - Roach
   - Dolphin Striker
   - Seagull Striker

2. **Rigging Terms:**
   - Fractional rig
   - Tripod rig
   - Diamond stays
   - Spreaders
   - Shrouds
   - Forestay

## Catamaran Features & Performance

3. **Accommodations & Safety Impact**
4. **Comparison: Monohull vs. Catamaran**
5. **Visibility Impact from Helm due to Deck Structures**
6. **Stability Differences: Monohull vs. Catamaran**
7. **Load-carrying & Weight Distribution Impact**
8. **Shoal Draft Keels & Cruise Planning**
9. **Daggerboards' Effect on Performance**
10. **Catamaran Engine Placement Effect**
11. **Twin-engine Catamaran Maneuverability**
12. **Close-quarters Maneuverability Under Power**
13. **Windage Impact on Sailing Performance**
14. **Sailing Performance Differences: Monohull vs. Catamaran**
15. **Using Jib to Counteract Weather-vane Effect**
16. **Sail Combinations & Center of Effort**
17. **Mainsail Differences: Monohull vs. Catamaran**
18. **Indicators & Conditions for Reefing Sails**

## Catamaran Systems

19. **Boat Systems: Monohull vs. Catamaran**
20. **Freshwater & Fuel Storage on Catamarans**
21. **Battery-charging Options for Twin-engine Catamarans**

## Seamanship

22. **Gear Stowage & Procedures**
23. **Catamaran Galley Features & Safety**
24. **Dinghy Hoisting, Carrying & Towing Options**
25. **Rafting a Catamaran with Other Boats**
26. **Using a Bridle with Single Bow Anchor or Fixed Mooring**
27. **Multiple-anchor Mooring Procedures**

## Heavy Weather Operation & Emergency Response

28. **Conditions Leading to Catamaran Capsizing & Avoidance**
29. **Post-capsize Response Procedures**
30. **Attaching Jacklines & Safety Harnesses**
31. **Catamaran Structure & Performance for MOB Recovery**
32. **Heavy Weather Sailing Practices**
33. **Actions on Engine Failure**
34. **Emergency Steering Tiller Location**

## SKILLS

### Pre-Departure

35. **Checking Equipment Condition**
36. **Routine Vessel Inspection**

### Under Power

37. **Dock Departure in Various Wind Directions**
38. **Using Spring Lines for Dock Pivoting**
39. **Dock Approach & Securement**
40. **Maneuvering Tests with Different Engine Gear Selections**
41. **Astern Maneuver & Controlled Steering**
42. **Approaching a Mark under Power**
43. **Mooring Buoy Approach & Departure**
44. **Maneuvering in Confined Spaces**
45. **MOB Recovery Under Power**
46. **Anchor/Mooring Methods Demonstrations**

### Under Sail

47. **Steady Course Sailing**
48. **Maximizing Performance with Sail Controls**
49. **Mainsheet & Traveler Usage**
50. **Getting out of "Irons"**
51. **Controlled Maneuvers & Sail Trim**
52. **Steady Course Sailing Practice**
53. **Sail Trim for Different Points of Sail**
54. **Sail Luffing & Trimming**
55. **Jibe Preventer Usage**
56. **Reefing Procedures**
57. **MOB Recovery Under Sail**
 

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