HOW TO BECOME CAPTAIN OF YOUR VESSEL.Byline: - Warren Swil Most charter companies require the skipper skipper: see butterfly. skipper Any of some 3,000 lepidopteran species (family Hesperiidae) named for their fast (up to 20 mph, or 30 kph), darting flight. of a bare-boat charter to demonstrate competence in handling an expensive piece of equipment like a modern sailboat. There are several ways to accomplish this. Most will ask for a resume of sailing experience. Many will then allow the skipper to do a ``check out.'' For an additional charge, the skipper will be required to take the boat out for perhaps a half day and demonstrate competence in all areas such as helmsmanship, rules of the sea and navigating. A far easier method, however, is to obtain certification from one of the national sailing organizations: the American Sailing Association The American Sailing Association promotes recreational sailing in the United States of America by administering a system of sailing qualifications. The ASA is an association of sailors, professional sailing instructors, sailing schools and charter companies. or U.S. Sailing. I completed three of seven sections of the ASA Asa (ā`sə), in the Bible, king of Judah, son and successor of Abijah. He was a good king, zealous in his extirpation of idols. When Baasha of Israel took Ramah (a few miles N of Jerusalem), Asa bought the help of Benhadad of Damascus and program. In order, these are basic keelboat keel·boat n. A riverboat with a keel but without sails, used for carrying freight. Noun 1. keelboat - river boat with a shallow draught and a keel but no sails; used to carry freight; moved by rowing or punting or sailing, basic coastal cruising and intermediate coastal cruising. (The other four levels of certification are for more advanced skills such as offshore passage making and celestial ce·les·tial adj. 1. Of or relating to the sky or the heavens: Planets are celestial bodies. 2. Of or relating to heaven; divine: celestial beings. 3. navigation.) Each involves a written examination and on-the-water test of skills. This is sufficient qualification for chartering a boat almost anywhere in the world. For more information, check www.american-sailing.com and www.ussailing.org. For vacationers who don't want to bother with any of this, most charter companies will provide a skipper at a cost of from $150 to $300 per day. |
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