ASA 204: Bareboat Cruising Instructor | May 24th, 2027 | South Shore Yacht Club, Milwaukee, WI

The ASA 204 Bareboat Cruising Instructor Qualification Clinic is designed for experienced cruising instructors who are ready to prepare sailors for greater independence aboard larger cruising sailboats.

Candidates must demonstrate the knowledge, practical seamanship and instructional ability required to teach the ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising curriculum.

Evaluations focus on whether you can confidently plan and manage a cruise, operate and troubleshoot onboard systems, respond to emergencies and teach students to make sound decisions as skipper or crew.

Particular emphasis is placed on teaching students how to respond to the “what ifs” that can occur when they are away from the marina and must serve as the first responder.

This is an evaluation of existing cruising and teaching skills, not a bareboat cruising course.

Candidates should arrive prepared to demonstrate the judgment, leadership and technical knowledge expected of an ASA 204 instructor.

Successful candidates earn the ASA 204 instructor qualification and may teach ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising through ASA schools worldwide.

What You’ll Demonstrate

During the clinic, candidates will be evaluated on their ability to:

• Demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills included in the ASA 104 standard
• Develop and explain an appropriate cruise and passage plan
• Prepare a cruising sailboat and crew for an extended voyage
• Teach advanced anchoring, mooring and docking techniques
• Apply coastal navigation, weather information and sound decision-making
• Explain engine operation and basic maintenance procedures
• Demonstrate an understanding of electrical, fuel, water and sanitation systems
• Identify and respond to common vessel-system problems
• Manage provisioning, onboard resources and crew responsibilities
• Respond appropriately to emergencies when outside immediate assistance
• Explain international sailing and bareboat charter considerations
• Exercise effective skipper leadership and crew management
• Prepare and deliver an assigned classroom presentation
• Teach assigned cruising skills aboard the vessel
• Apply ASA safety practices, professional ethics and instructional standards
• Candidates will also complete the required written, practical and teaching evaluations.

Prerequisites

• ASA 203: Coastal Cruising Instructor certification

Candidates should:

• Hold the ASA 203 Coastal Cruising Instructor qualification
• Meet the knowledge and practical standards of ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising
• Possess the applicable skills identified in the ASA International Logbook
• Have substantial experience aboard auxiliary-powered cruising sailboats
• Demonstrate strong skipper judgment, leadership and instructional ability
• Hold a current ASA instructor membership as required for clinic registration

Preparing for the Clinic

Registered candidates will receive detailed preparation instructions, required assignments and clinic materials before the course begins.

Candidates should be prepared to:

• Review the ASA 104 Standard Course Syllabus and applicable instructor materials
• Review Bareboat Cruising Made Easy and other advanced cruising resources
• Complete assigned examinations and candidate paperwork
• Prepare an assigned classroom presentation and IDEAS lesson plan
• Review cruise planning, navigation, weather and anchoring procedures
• Review engine operation, vessel systems and basic troubleshooting
• Practice docking, maneuvering and applicable practical skills
• Review emergency procedures and skipper responsibilities
• Bring their ASA Logbook and ASA membership card
• Bring a properly fitting PFD or use one provided for the on-the-water portion
• Candidates are expected to already possess the ASA 104 textbook and materials from their student-level course. These materials are not included with clinic tuition.

What’s Included

Course tuition includes:

• Instructor Evaluator-led ASA 204 Qualification Clinic
• Instructor-level written examination
• Practical cruising and boat-handling evaluations
• Cruise-planning and navigation evaluations
• Vessel-systems and emergency-response evaluations
• Classroom teaching presentation evaluation
• Afloat teaching demonstration
• Use of the training vessel and required sailing equipment during the clinic
• ASA 204 Bareboat Cruising Instructor qualification upon successful completion of all requirements

Course Tuition

$549.00 per candidate

Successfully completing ASA 204 qualifies you to teach ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising and prepares you to continue to ASA 205 Coastal Navigation Instructor.

Help sailors move beyond following instructions and develop the judgment, confidence and self-reliance needed to take command of their own cruising adventures.