Antigua Sailing School- Cruising and Keelboat Courses

Live Aboard Cruising- Barbuda, Antigua
US Sailing Association certifications: Basic Cruising; Bareboat Cruising; ASA Basic Coastal Cruising (103); Bareboat Charter (104)
Prerequisite: Basic Keelboat

The Live Aboard Cruising program offers the discerning and active sailor a true adventure vacation. Antigua offers an environ which is breathtaking, historic and navigationally diverse. There are isolated anchorages, enjoyable and exciting coastal passages, dramatic seascapes and a flamboyant local flavour. This course has many options for destinations but students can be assured that their days will be filled with activity and learning.

In the 5 days, the Basic Cruising will be the first component taught with an emphasis on sailing skills and theory. The exam is usually written by the end of the second day. The last three days are given over to the second course- Bareboat Cruising. On these days the emphasis will be on navigation, the onboard systems and leadership. Once this course is successfully passed, the students will achieve the bareboat cruising certification.

The following is an example of a 5 day Live Aboard Cruising itinerary:

Day 1:

Morning-Go over the onboard systems and introduce students to the boat, unpack personal belongings and pack the provisions away. Put together a plan concerning course and navigation and leaving the dock.

Afternoon-Leave Jolly Harbour for English Harbour, stand a little farther offshore to practice man over boards, jibing and points of sail. English Harbour offers a simple twisting entrance with dramatic cliffs at the harbour mouth and the historic "Nelson's Dockyard" is worth a walk around for its ambience and cobblestoned historic significance. On Sunday nights one of Antigua's best regular parties occurs over Shirley Heights, a place of spectacular western (sunset) views. Bring your camera and toast your first day out while watching the sun go down over the Caribbean Sea.

Alexis Andrews Photography
www.alexisandrews.com

Day 2:

Morning-Take a leisurely stroll around Nelson's dockyard, a scene straight out of a Patrick O'Brien novel. Afterwards we'll go over the plan for the day, practice some close quarters maneuvering and make our way to the Atlantic ocean for a brush-up on sailing skills and eventually the practical sailing exam. Depending on the seas, lunch may be spent hove to or in a secluded bay on the way up to Nonsuch Bay.

The afternoon is spent making way up to Nonsuch Bay. Nonsuch offers students a secluded and quietly wild environment to spend some time on the beach before sitting the Basic Coastal Cruising exam as an excellent contrast to English Harbour. We will also practice anchoring here.

Day 3:

Morning-Day 3 will be the start an exciting leg of the trip over to Barbuda. Barbuda is a long and weather-dependant trip with plenty of time along the way to discuss course material and ship's systems and has an exciting entrance in which to work on coastal pilotage. With an early start, there will be time in the evening to sample some of the local lobsters and lounge about on the beach!

Day 4:

Morning-Sail from Barbuda around the northern side of Antigua and head for Deep Bay. This is a downwind sail and will take most of the day, leaving plenty of time to discuss leadership, approaches to harbour (coastal pilotage) and to lounge on the deck as the boat slowly bowls over the rollers and wends her way westward. A true taste of a mini-Caribbean voyage. Deep Bay has an attractive anchorage and boasts and old wreck quite visible on clear days. It also has a nearby fort for another moving view of the sunset over Monsterrat. There is a resort with several restaurants right on the beach and it is a manageable taxi ride into downtown St. John's for some evening entertainment.

Day 5:

A very manageable sail back to base. There will be plenty of time to brush up on course work, stop for lunch and perhaps a swim and make it back to take the exam and enjoy some drinks and camaraderie with the crew at the famous Dogwatch Tavern.

Contact Us to register for this course

Cost per person: $2,395.

Cost includes:

• 6 nights aboard yacht
• Provisioning: All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
• Cruising Permit
• Boat water and fuel
• HDW Insurance

Not included:

• Air fare to Antigua
• Three meals and other activities ashore
• Additional beverages and ice
• Airport departure tax
• Airport transfers

Contact Us to register for this course