The ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification gets sailors proficient in sailing a 30-45 foot sloop-rigged, auxiliary-powered keelboat. This is the class of boat which has many on-board systems such as a galley (kitchen) with stove, oven and refrigerator, head (toilet & shower), as well as a freshwater tank. The certification also certifies a sailor to charter a boat from a chartering company, where the charter company does not provide any captain, skipper, or crew (This is referred to as “bareboat” chartering). Many chartering companies across the globe recognize the ASA 104 certification — or at least that is what the American Sailing Association would have you believe 🙂

I obtained this certification with the Bay Area Sailing School as part of a 3-day, 2-night “Combo” course which combined the ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising certification with the ASA 104 certification.