SunSail has ASA instructors and several US based operations have special ASA
training charters but the certificates don't mean much with most charter
companies. Sailing resumes mean a lot more and money means everything. We
have met a few people taking group sailing courses with 4 to 6 students and
they don't seem to be learning as much as with a private skipper/instructor
and definitely don't have the freedom of their own boat.

I have kind of settled on BVI Yacht Charters. It is a very good small
company in the second market. Call Estell and tell her you want an
instructor/skipper. After your first charter with an instructor you can
take the boat on your own next year. Then take the USPS boating courses
closer to home. After that try the Grenadines. You will then have enough of
a resume to go to any popular cruising ground you want.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Kevin" wrote in message
news:rNLnd.280079$Pl.74127@pd7tw1no...
Glen,
Any specific recommendations wrt to a charter company / instructor in
bvi -
we would like to go as far as the asa 104 bare boat.

Cheers,
Kevin


"Glenn Ashmore" wrote in message
newsdHnd.467$Nw.432@lakeread08...
For your first trip and probably the second the BVI is by far the better
choice. Sails between islands are 4 hours or less and you can stay in
fairly sheltered waters if it gets rough. Also lots of things to do and
places to eat ashore. Grenada is in sad shaaape right now and the sails
are
a bit more challanging

If you are totally new to sailing you can charter a boat with a hired
skipper. Ask the charter company for an instructor/skipper. It will
cost
an extra couple of hundred but you will learn much more than with just a
shipper. If you want more formal insttuction the Colgate network has a
good
sailing school in the BVI.

Start visiting the BVI forum at TTOL for much more advice.
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/foru...s.php?Cat=&C=1
--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

"Glenn Ashmore" wrote:
SunSail has ASA instructors and several US based operations have special ASA
training charters but the certificates don't mean much with most charter
companies. Sailing resumes mean a lot more and money means everything. We
have met a few people taking group sailing courses with 4 to 6 students and
they don't seem to be learning as much as with a private skipper/instructor
and definitely don't have the freedom of their own boat.

I have kind of settled on BVI Yacht Charters. It is a very good small
company in the second market. Call Estell and tell her you want an
instructor/skipper. After your first charter with an instructor you can
take the boat on your own next year. Then take the USPS boating courses
closer to home. After that try the Grenadines. You will then have enough of
a resume to go to any popular cruising ground you want.

I'll second Glenn on this recomendation. I've chartered with most of
the "biggies" and I'd prefer not to charter with SunSail (or The
Moorings) ever again. BVI Yacht Charters gives much better service for
half the price.

Frank