course catamaran

• Our Sailing Schools:
• Fort Lauderdale
• Virgin Islands
• St. Maarten
• Newport, RI

Catamaran Sailing Courses - Blue Water Sailing School

Our Cruising Catamaran sailing course (Course A Plus Catamaran) is a weeklong live-aboard catamaran cruising course, offered at the Fort Lauderdale base and the St Maarten base. The sailing course combines the Basic Sailing (ASA 101), Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA103), Bareboat Chartering (ASA 104), and Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114) levels of the ASA curriculum.

We are also one of the only sailing schools to offer a course in advanced catamaran sailing (Course C+ Cat: Advanced Catamaran Skipper) . During this weeklong live-aboard Advanced Catamaran (ASA 114, 106) cruising course you’ll sail from Fort Lauderdale, across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas, and back again. Along the way, you’ll gain the hands-on experience you need to pass the Advanced Coastal Cruising (ASA 106), and Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114) ASA certification levels.

Please see ASA Course Descriptions for details on each certification standard.

You can find information about all Blue Water Sailing School courses in our course catalog . For course availability and dates, please see our schedule .

Catamaran Sales

Well Suited , The Catamaran Company's new team concept in brokerage design, is made up of three Yacht Brokers, a Charter Broker, a Yacht Administrator and a Service Manager who all work together to insure that our Buyers, Sellers and Renters have the best possible experience. Our top priority is to insure that the catamaran you bring home with you is well suited for your lifestyle, not only for today but one that strategically fits into your long term goals.

The concept truly is cutting edge in that it focuses on the strength of the team, customer service and long term repeat business. We typically find that a yacht owner buys a new boat every three to five years. Well Suited takes the necessary time and devotes the human resources to assist in your long term plans. What you need/want today ... what you are looking to grow into or downsize after realizing a dream ... proper market placement ... resale value, etc.

For more information, please Contact Us

We actually went somewhere (Key Largo), rather than returning to the dock each evening. The course was made to be an adventure, as well as simply instructional. The weather was “made to order” — sun and gentle breeze Saturday through Wednesday, then Force 8 for our ‘foul weather instruction’ on Thursday.

I thought it was an excellent, challenging course. It definitely wasn’t a “cruise.” The instructor expected a lot from the students. I like that.

I have nothing but the utmost praise for your entire operation and the quality of the instruction that I received. Al Hatch is a consummate instructor and brings to this activity a love and a passion that is genuine and expansive. I hope to be able to return to Blue Water to experience some of the higher-level courses of instruction, and I certainly would have no trouble at all recommending your company to anyone.

Catamaran Sailing Confidence | Online Course

Confidently catamaran: learn to sail catamarans.

Set sail with confidence on large catamarans by enrolling in our Catamaran Sailing Confidence online course. Whether you're planning a sailing vacation or considering purchasing a catamaran, this course equips you with the knowledge needed to sail and maneuver catamarans safely and efficiently.

This online course covers everything from understanding the unique characteristics of catamarans to mastering essential sailing techniques such as tacking and gybing. With helpful animations illustrating catamaran maneuvering, you'll gain a deeper understanding of these multi-hulled vessels.

Ideal for both beginners and experienced sailors, this course is essential for anyone looking to confidently sail a catamaran. Enroll now and set sail with confidence on your next adventure.

Estimated Time: 3 hours Price: $39   $27 You save $12.00 (31%)

Register for the Catamaran Sailing Confidence online course and learn how to sail large catamarans on your own or on sailing vacations. This course includes tips and tricks from the pros for chartering and sailing catamarans.

If you're planning to sail or charter a sailing catamaran, this course will build upon your keelboat training and experience to give you the confidence to safely and efficiently sail a catamaran. From understanding the differences between catamarans and monohulls to mastering the techniques of tacking and gybing a catamaran, this course will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to handle a catamaran with confidence.

Includes helpful animations to help you understand catamaran maneuvering - a key difference between monohulls and catamarans.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sailor, this course is a must for anyone looking to competently sail a catamaran with confidence and skill. Enroll now and take the first step towards mastering the art of catamaran sailing.

This Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course is for you if...

• You're going to be sailing catamarans on a bareboat yacht charter vacation
• You've even considered catamaran charter
• You are thinking about buying a catamaran
• Or if you're just looking to upgrade your existing boat, you may want to investigate catamaran sailing

We guarantee both your satisfaction AND Lifetime access to any sailing course you buy from us

The Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course is presented in three modules in English and in French

• 1. Aboard your Catamaran
• docking a catamaran under power
• mooring and anchoring
• effective use of spring lines
• the sails and forces on them
• under sail on a catamaran
• tacking a catamaran
• gybing a catamaran
• reefing and heavy weather

More about the Catamaran Sailing Confidence Online Course

• Learn how to sail large catamarans on your own or on a sailing vacation
• View an excerpt from the Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course
• Essential tips for sailing a large catamaran
• This Catamaran Sailing Course takes approximately 3 hours of total time to complete
• Take as long as you need to complete
• Return as many times as you like to review
• Take the online test as many times as you like
• Adds the Catamaran Sailing Confidence Endorsement to your Sailing Certificate
• Highly advised by charter companies for a Catamaran Charter Sailing Vacation
• A PDF version is available for offline reading after your investment
• Also Available on the iTunes App Store

Watch this video on the Catamaran Sailing Confidence Online Course

Why this Course?

Sailing a large catamaran is not really too much different from sailing a monohull but catamaran sailing has a few tricks and nuances that you ought to know first especially if you're going on a bareboat yacht charter with a catamaran.

You'll invest about 3 hours of your time to add this Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course to your NauticEd Sailing Resume. The cost of the sailing course is just $39 ( for a limited introductory period it is $27). Once you've finished the course you'll have complete confidence that you can transition your existing monohull sailing skills to sailing a catamaran . And if you're going on a bareboat yacht charter, yacht charter companies will be more inclined to accept your charter request with Catamaran sailing knowledge on your Sailing Resume and Certification.

You'll learn the tricks of sailing a catamaran and maneuvering a catamaran so that you'll know what to do in potentially dangerous situations. The information contained will make sailing a catamaran much more enjoyable and less stressful the first time out and you'll have the confidence that maneuvering a catamaran is now easily within your abilities.

As with all NauticEd sailing lessons, you can return as many times as you like to brush up on sailing a catamaran skills and if you're not completely satisfied, we'll happily refund your investment. Feel free to contact NauticEd Sailing School at any time.

The Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course was co-authored by several experts in sailing catamarans throughout the world: Nick Harvey of  Lagoon Catamarans and Captain Grant Headifen, 50 Ton USCG Master Mariner and Director of Education for NauticEd. Additional guidance and input were provided by George Day, Publisher of Blue Water Sailing Magazine and Multihull Quarterly Magazine.

View Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course excerpt

Student Reviews

It was very clear to understand

Excellent info to multi hull systems

Great course, good tips about safety

Great insight.

Pointing out the excellence and safety issues with cats. I had a 43-foot one for 8 years and miss it a lot.

I've chartered big cats twice but I didn't know the trick to get the bow to pass through the wind easily until I took this course. That alone was worth the price of the course. Very cool!

Good for understanding the basics!

Sailing a cat is definitely different from sailing a monohull. This course walks you through the differences and prepares you for your first experience with a cat. That being said, it is not a substitute for hands on and time on task. You have to get on a cat and practice to become proficient at handling a cat both under sail and power.

As an experienced monohull sailor, I found this to be right on point. The maneuvering session was extremely helpful and the simulations instructive. The information about sail loads and dangerous situations was new to me: I am very glad I got to go through this before my charter.

Very good testing approach

Veoma profesionalan i koristan kurs Very professional course

Excerpt from the course

And if there weren't enough advantages to sailing a catamaran here is another.

The mainsail traveler on a catamaran is significantly longer than on a cruising monohull. Thus you can take real advantage of this. The mainsail can now be adjusted in 2 different ways: using the traveler line or by adjusting the mainsheet.

When sailing close hauled on a catamaran in heavier air, move the traveler upwind (on the opposite side of the sail) and let off on the main sheet. This will allow the boom to rise a little and "twist out" the top of the sail. Twisting the sail out "deflates" the top of the sail and should be done in the case of slightly stronger winds. In light air, make sure that the top of the mainsail is not “losing air” meaning, keep the traveler close to the center and tighten the mainsheet to make sure the main cannot open up at the top.

As soon as the breeze kicks up, bring your traveler up a bit more and ease the mainsheet so that the boom does not come past the center point.

Once out sailing you'll be able to dispel one of the biggest "myths" surrounding catamarans because modern cats actually do point pretty well!!

The flatter the water, the better they will point and it'll be possible to sail in the high 30s degrees off the wind if your cat has the genoa tracks up on the coach roof, you will have a nice tight sheeting angle allowing you to go upwind comfortably.

As soon as you bear away from the wind slightly, you will want to bring the mainsail traveler down to leeward and start easing the mainsail (similar to a monohull).

Thinking about a bareboat yacht charter with a catamaran? Register now for the Catamaran Sailing Confidence Clinic . Money back Guarantee - if you don't like it - no questions just your money back.

Other sailing courses you might enjoy

Introductory Celestial Navigation Navigation Rules

Sea talk testimonials

Thanks for your quick reply. I like your approach based on sound theory and emphasis on the practical skills (my approach too in my area of work). Thanks for the link to the article and for the time you take to answer my questions. Be assured that I will recommend NauticEd far and wide (and also to our local sailing school). Roger A , Student

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Cruising Catamaran Learn-n-Cruise

Basic coastal cruising (asa 103), bareboat cruising/charter (asa 104) and cruising catamaran (asa 114), (11 am saturday through 11 am friday).

Our most popular course model, this weeklong live-aboard course will take you out in the San Juan Islands aboard one of our swift, stable, spacious catamarans, for a long stretch of sailing, exploring and learning, in a relaxing teaching environment. This course is designed to develop your fundamental sailing and navigation skills as well as to introduce you to the skills unique to multihull sailing and twin engine maneuvering. You will have the opportunity to achieve Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103), Bareboat Cruising (ASA 104) and Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114). Basic Sailing certification or equivalent experience is a prerequisite.

• If you already have ASA 103 and 104, you can still attend this course and enjoy a more relaxing week of review and skill refinement, while also completing your ASA 114.
• You’ll learn the skills essential to skippering a twin screw 38' - 41' catamaran aboard this comprehensive weeklong course.
• This course will cover sailing fundamentals for Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103) and Bareboat Cruising/Charter Certification (ASA 104), well as the nuances of multihull cruising for Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114).
• The course is taught on one of our beautiful catamarans and is geared to the student who is primarily interested in learning and sailing on a catamaran and who wants the added skills to charter multihulls between 30 and 50 feet.
• There will be both a written and a skills test for each certification to complete the course. Thorough study of the texts, Basic Coastal Cruising Made Easy, Bareboat Cruising Made Easy and Cruising Catamarans Made Easy , will prepare you for your course and greatly enhance your learning experience. The curricula (links below) are helpful to follow while reviewing the texts and will streamline your studying.
• Based on boat size and cabin layout, this course can accommodate up to 5 students. A 4 student minimum is needed to send a course.
• There will be opportunities for free time, to go ashore and explore the island beaches and trails, villages and marinas, or simply enjoy a quiet anchorage from the cockpit of your catamaran.
• All meals included, with the exception on one night, when you’ll eat ashore and enjoy the local island dining. Overnight will mostly be at anchor or mooring ball, with one night at a marina. Bed linens are included.

SPRING (3/15 – 6/6) $3175 per person (private stateroom) $2875 per person (shared stateroom)* SUMMER/FALL (6/7 – 10/15) $3460 per person (private stateroom) $3160 per person (shared stateroom)*

Spend 7 days/6 nights living aboard and learning from an ASA certified USCG Captain/Instructor, while exploring the San Juan Islands. Tuition includes your ASA 103, 104 & 114 certifications, a private stateroom, linens, meal provisioning, fuel and moorage. *To receive the $300 shared stateroom discount, you and the person you will be sharing a stateroom with must book your course together. We do not pair people who do not know each other.

This course covers ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising/Chartering), and ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran). If you prefer to join the class to practice hands-on skills but not pursue ASA certifications, you are welcome to do so. Please let us know if you will not be pursuing ASA certifications and we will discount your tuition $60.

Basic Sailing (ASA 101) certification

If you don’t have the prerequisites, but do have equivalent experience, click here for information on challenging prerequisite certifications.

. The same date being listed more than once indicates multiple sessions of this class on that date.

If the course you are seeking is full, please contact us to be put on a waitlist.

Coastal Cruising Made Easy by ASA Bareboat Cruising Made Easy by ASA Cruising Catamarans Made Easy by ASA Order texts online through the ASA Store , through Amazon or iBooks , or check out from your local library.

Now you’re ready for your first catamaran bareboat charter vacation! Click here for information on options to let you implement and enjoy what you have learned after graduation and to help you continue to build your sailing skills.

Please arrive at our office at 10:45 am. We will introduce you to your instructor and you’ll begin loading your gear onto your boat (making lunch together with your crewmates will be your first activity before departing). You'll want to be fully prepared to take your Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103) written test either Saturday evening or Sunday morning, after you are on the boat. This is the first of three written tests. Each level of certification has a written exam and a skills exam and every few days another written exam will be completed. Thorough study of the textbooks will prepare you for the course and greatly enhance your learning. We highly recommend using the curriculum (link below), in conjunction with the textbooks, as a guide to help streamline your studying.

At the end of your learning vacation your boat will return to the San Juan Sailing docks by noon on Friday. Please allow yourself two additional hours to unload, debrief, and shower when planning your transportation home.

Class size is limited, so please contact us by e-mail or at 360-671-8339 for course availability, to register or if you have additional questions. If the above dates do not fit your schedule, please contact us to explore alternate arrangements.

Go to the following links for more information:

• ASA 103 Curriculum
• ASA 104 Curriculum
• ASA 114 Curriculum
• Packing List
• Course Checklist

Special Opportunities

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Outremer Academy: catamaran training

To fully support the preparation of your journey, we offer a wide range of catamaran training courses tailored to your unique needs. Learn from our experienced instructor – sailors.

Outremer Week

Follow a unique catamaran training program, created by Outremer for its community of passionate owners!

The Outremer Week is 5 days of intensive training, to help quickly gain or improve your skills.

Rendezvous under the sun of La Grande-Motte, France, only a few steps away from the Outremer shipyard, for a week combining training lessons on land and at sea, and moments of relaxation and conviviality to encourage exchanges between participants.

Led by qualified speakers

This week of catamaran training will teach you all you need to know about blue water cruising and allow you to prepare your sailing project, improve your theoretical and practical nautical knowledge, share your experience and your passion with other Outremer owners.

Adapt your schedule of courses

According to your needs, choose from the various training modules offered: weather routing, electronics, medical, port and sea maneuvers, and more. Benefit from our full support package to quickly set sail on your catamaran, safely, comfortably, and with complete peace of mind!

We offer two editions a year

Attend Outremer Week Spring and/or Outremer Week Fall, with courses in French and English to best cater to our international community.

Over 10 nationalities were represented during our recent edition 2022!

❝ What a great week! We really enjoyed being in La Grande Motte and learned so much during these days. But beside the content we really felt part of the family and really appreciated your warm, competent and very caring approach to all our wishes.❞

Bent and Andrea – Future owners of an Outremer 45 – Participants of Outremer Week Spring 2021

Year-round training courses

Mixed and Ladies Only, our courses are tailored to your unique needs to allow you to apprehend your Outremer and thus leave for your sailing adventure with complete peace of mind

Ladies Only (courses exclusively for women)

In a totally relaxed atmosphere, gain the necessary autonomy to sail your blue water catamaran with confidence, alone or with your partner, thanks to our training courses exclusively dedicated to women, called Ladies Only.

The instructor, in this case the yachtswoman Nikki Henderson, adapts to the different profiles and levels, although the content of the women’s catamaran training remains similar to that of the mixed courses.

As a group, learn to:

– Tack and gyb easily and safely – Hoist and trim the different sails – Reef, learn the range of use of the sails and optimize according to the crew – Manage sailing maneuvers

Mixed (courses addressed to both men and women)

Do you need a helping hand to improve your sailing skills on an Outremer? Several times a year, we offer mixed courses that take place over a weekend in La Grande-Motte, France.

Take the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the boat. This will be an excellent foretaste, with complete immersion: you will be asked to handle the maneuvers yourself and spend the night on board, with meals included.

– Prepare the catamaran for sailing and anchoring – Practice maneuvering with the engine and under sail – Practice port entry and exit maneuvers – Anticipate winds and weather: use technical aids, VHF, forecasts, barometer – Use safety equipment and procedures – Maneuver in port

Individual Coaching

A tailor-made course

Progress quickly with Outremer personalized coaching, available upon request Example of topics addressed: maneuvers, optimizing sail trim, the basics of racing…

ASA Sailing Courses: Cruise & Learn

Caribbean ASA Sailing Courses: Cruising Catamaran

Learn to safely charter your own cruising catamaran and become ASA certified during our Catamaran Course in the Caribbean.

Cruising catamarans are becoming more popular for Caribbean bareboat charters due to their speed, stability, and comfort.

Our Caribbean liveaboard catamaran sailing school includes: Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103), Bareboat Cruising Certification (ASA 104), and Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114).

Caribbean Catamaran Course Details

• Spend seven days exploring the beautiful islands of Grenada and the Grenadines while you learn along the way.
• Even better – extend your adventure! You'll cover the same material at a more relaxed pace with our ten-day Extended Cruise and Learn Catamaran Sailing School! This option is strongly recommended for this course due to a large amount of material to be covered.
• This Catamaran ASA sailing course covers navigation, maneuvering under sail and power, anchoring, and learning to skipper a cruising catamaran.
• All of our Cruising Catamaran Sailing School classes are taught aboard well-maintained catamarans in the 38- to 42-foot range.
• We limit our Caribbean sailing class size to no more than four students to ensure plenty of time for individual instruction and hands-on sailing.
• While sailing through the islands, your instructor will cover the curriculum for three levels of ASA certification: Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103), Bareboat Cruising (ASA 104), and Cruising Catamaran (ASA 114). ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing is a prerequisite for this class. Ask about our two-day class to get certified and ready for a Catamaran Cruise and Learn!
• Experience the local island flavor when we go ashore for at least three evening meals.
• Extend your Caribbean sailing course to 10 days and take some extra time to enjoy the islands and learn at a slightly more steady pace.

Price and Availability

7- or 10-day ASA Sailing courses available. Check our Availability Calendar  for course openings! Class size is limited, so please call or e-mail today for availability! Call us at (206) 549-9191 or contact us here !

*All Caribbean Cruise and Learn courses require a minimum of two students for confirmation.

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THE BEST PREPARATION FOR ANY FUTURE SKIPPER

CATAMARAN MASTERCLASS (36 VIDEO LESSONS)

THE ONLINE CATAMARAN SAILING MASTERCLASS OFFERS A…

FASTRACK TO SAILING SUCCESS

SOLID FOUNDATION

CHANCE TO EMBARK FROM HOME

The online video course covers each of these topics, chapter 1 critical.

• Anchoring 101
• Mooring Balls: Picking up and Departing
• Reefing: How to Reef Your Mainsail
• Furling the Jib/Genoa
• Unfurling the Jib/Genoa
• Raising the Mainsail
• Lowering the Mainsail
• Crew Overboard!
• Docking: Arriving
• Docking: Departing
• Perfect Sail Trim!
• Tacking 101

CHAPTER 2 IMPORTANT!

• Weather Forecasting Using Predictwind
• Electronic Navigation Using Navionics
• VHF Operation and Protocols
• Heavy Weather Sailing
• Winch Safety
• Engine Troubleshooting
• Rules of the Road (COMING SOON!)
• Navigation Lights (COMING SOON!)
• Aids to Navigation Buoys and Markers (COMING SOON)

CHAPTER 3 VALUABLE

• Catamaran Terminology
• Catamaran VS Monohull: Key Differences
• Navigation Using Paper Charts
• How to Use a Marine Stove
• Intro to Marine Heads
• Knots: Learn 8 Basic Ones!
• Line Handling 101
• Dinghy Operation
• Daily Checklists and Routines
• Fishing 101
• How to Use AIS: Automatic Identification System (COMING SOON)
• Chartplotters (COMING SOON)

WHY IS THIS THE DEFINITIVE ONLINE CATAMARAN COURSE?

ONLINE CATAMARAN SAILING MASTERCLASS

• Over 3 hours of video instruction!
• Professional animations
• 36 videos, with stunning videography
• Filmed over 18 months in the Bahamas
• 12 Optional review quizzes
• Lifetime access and new videos continually added

PLUS: If you book a trip with Nautilus, we will refund the entire amount.

HOW TO START...

WE HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD...

• We’ve helped over 4000 students successfully learn to sail!
• Are an award winning, official American Sailing school
• Have a background in education and best educational practices
• Our Sailing Basics Monohull series has over 1 million views and rave reviews!

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

TIM GEISLER

Tim grew up in Morocco and Spain, but now calls Colorado home. Passions include surfing, snowboarding, kiteboarding, fly fishing and photography. Tim has worked in education, travel, and international project management before starting Nautilus Sailing. He has a wealth of sailing experience and has sailed extensively in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico, Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia.

Lives on the Olympic Peninsula, in Washington State. Passions include cycling, woodworking, travel, hiking and sailing. Tim grew up in the Northwest, raced sailboats, joined the US Coast Guard. He then spent years in the IT business. He has sailed Pacific waters from Desolation Sound to the Panama Canal, Adriatic, Mediterranean, South Pacific, Atlantic to the Caribbean.

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Home  Education  Adult Sailing  Sailing Certification Courses & Endorsements  Cruising Catamaran Endorsement

Sailing Certification Courses & Endorsements

Cruising catamaran endorsement.

Find a school near you

Recommended Equipment: The multihull endorsement course and examination shall be conducted on a catamaran of at least 34′, with wheel steering, twin engine auxiliary power, and adequate equipment inventory to complete all required certification outcomes.

Prerequisites: The prerequisite for the Catamaran Endorsement is a US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certification. This endorsement may be taught concurrently with any certification from the Bareboat Cruising level or higher.

Certification Requirements: The Catamaran Endorsement requires the successful completion of the following knowledge and skill requirements. These requirements are expected to be performed safely with confident command of the boat with a wind of at least 10 knots.

Practical Skills

Maneuvering under power:.

• Demonstrate holding position, pivot turn around center and around each hull, starting, stopping and speed control.
• Demonstrate leaving and returning to a dock under power.
• Demonstrate making way and maneuvering upwind and crosswind in forward and reverse. Demonstrate maneuvering with one engine.

Sailing Skills:

• Demonstrate the trim cycle for a catamaran, including the proper use of the traveler and/or boom vang. Demonstrate the use of a barber hauler when sailing off the wind.
• Demonstrate the specialized skills of tacking a catamaran.
• Demonstrate jibing, including proper control of the mainsail.
• Demonstrate shortening sail to depower the boat.

Overboard Rescue:

• Properly demonstrate one of the overboard rescue methods under sail, taking into account the boat’s performance characteristics.
• Properly demonstrate one of the overboard rescue methods under power, taking into account the boat’s performance characteristics.

Anchoring Techniques:

• Demonstrate the proper use of an anchoring bridle, including its deployment, retrieval, and storage.
• Demonstrate the use of two anchors off the bow.
• Pick up and properly secure to a mooring from the bow.
• Pick up and properly secure to a mooring from the stern.

Catamaran Characteristics:

• Describe the features of catamaran design, handling, and sailing performance.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of typical catamaran accommodations.
• Understand the maneuvering differences between a single engine boat and a twin engine boat.
• Describe the different arrangements of engine installations and their effects on maneuvering.
• Understand the limitations of visibility from the helm station on various designs. Explain how this affects docking procedures, crew responsibilities, and boat positioning.
• Understand how to use twin engines to steer, pivot, and maneuver the boat in close quarters.
• Understand why maneuvering in reverse, in high winds, while in close quarters may be necessary.
• Understand the techniques needed to land at a dock with one engine inoperative.
• Understand the use of one engine while motor sailing or steaming.
• Explain the effect of apparent wind and how it leads to the need for repeated sail trim adjustments as the boat speed increases.
• Explain the importance of the use of the boom vang and/or traveler to maintain proper mainsail shape.
• Understand the techniques for tacking, including proper steering throughout the maneuver.
• Explain the differences in jibing, including proper control of the mainsail leech.
• Understand the lack of obvious cues for the need to reduce sail as the wind increases, and explain what cues are available.
• Explain various techniques for reducing sail area, including traditional and single line mainsail reefing.
• Explain vessel performance characteristics and how that affects overboard rescue maneuvers.
• Discuss person-in-water retrieval techniques.

Anchoring and Mooring Techniques:

• Understand the need for an anchor bridle while using a single anchor off the bow.
• Explain the two most common arrangements of anchor bridles.
• Describe the steps required to set two anchors off the bow.
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of picking up a mooring from the bow versus stern.
• Explain the steps required to pick up a mooring from the bow and the stern.

Safety at Sea

• Safety at Sea Planning
• Hosting a US Sailing Championship

Andrew Clouston SVP Programs & Services Email Andrew Clouston

Betsy Alison Adult Director Email Betsy Alison 401-342-7914

Diana Emmanuelli Competition Manager Email Diana Emmanuelli 401-342-7912

Karen Davidson Adult Program Coordinator Email Karen Davidson 401-342-7934

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Catamaran 114 Endorsement & Refresher

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A Weekend Warriors Sailing Series Event

Two-day catamaran refresher course with catamaran endorsement 114, for experienced sailors desiring to transition to catamarans or refresh catamaran skills.

This advanced cruising course OSS 114 is a two-day live-aboard weekend course. It is designed specifically for monohull sailors who wish to move into catamaran cruising, and sailors who learned on or own a catamaran seeking more training operating a catamaran while sailing, docking, anchoring and picking up mooring balls.

To participate you must have earned US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification or have equivalent certification obtained within the past five years . The course is fast-paced and comprehensive, designed for experienced sailors who want to:

• Transition from a monohull to a cruising catamaran
• Refresh and enhance skills aboard a catamaran
• Prepare for chartering or purchasing a catamaran cruising yacht

Schedule and Costs

• Saturday all day instruction underway – 9am-5pm

• US Sailing Catamaran Endorsement written test
• Catamaran Endorsement 114 awarded when test is passed (mailed after course concludes)
• Water and lunch provided aboard Saturday and Sunday during Training
• Friday and Saturday stay aboard the yacht at marina included in package
• Pre-requisites: Proof of US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification*
• Cost $2,995 per person (maximum number participants per boat per weekend is three (3))
• Available weekends at several Offshore Sailing School Florida locations

Package rate is same whether taking this course alone or traveling with others taking course with you. Plan to arrive Friday late afternoon, depart Sunday after course ends. Not included: Travel costs to/from marina where boat is berthed, parking fees you may incur, beverages or food you wish to bring aboard with you, meals other than lunches aboard, accommodations ashore if you prefer to stay at hotel/resort instead of aboard Friday and Saturday night. ASA 101/103/104 grads are welcome to take this course with certification proof, sailing resume submitted for approval and pre-course online test (extra fee for online test). Bring your logbook for instructor to endorse. 

Space is Limited! For Available Dates & Locations, Call or Email Today!

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Why This Private Catamaran Is a Design Lover’s Dream for Exploring the British Virgin Islands

Experience ultra-luxe island hopping aboard Nomada at Sea.

Hundreds of years ago, pirates notoriously buried their loot along the shores of the British Virgin Islands . Today, the swashbucklers have long since sailed on and their spoils retrieved, but their hiding spot—the true treasure of the Caribbean—remains, where its natural riches await discovery.

The BVI is an archipelago of 60 isles, and while each exudes its own personality and tells its own stories (like the history of sugar cane on Tortola or tales of hidden gold along Norman Island, which is said to have inspired Robert Louis Stephenson’s pirate novel Treasure Island ), an effervescent spirit unites them. The best way to explore them all is by private catamaran, which I where I find myself. The Nomada at Sea is setting sail for five days of island hopping, and I’m climbing aboard.

She’s a Lagoon 620 catamaran, lovingly restored by the Nomada Hotel Group , which seeks to rescue forgotten places and reinvent them as destinations for modern travelers with their brand of cool California style. “The idea of Nomada is a love and lifestyle of travel and adventure. At Sea can be the grandest adventure of them all,” says creative director Kimberly Walker.

On a personal vacation, she fell in love with the BVI and the thrill of chartering a private vessel; so much so, she decided to create a similar bespoke experience for Nomada guests. “On other catamarans I have chartered in the Caribbean, the fabrics and finishes always felt a bit dull to me, as if the super yachts you read about only deserved patterns and thoughtful touches. We wanted to bring that feeling of a swanky private vessel to Nomada at Sea,” says Walker. “Guests can expect the same attention to experience that we strive for at our hotel properties. Art, music, design, food, and drink are all carefully curated for our guests.”

Consider it the Caribbean’s version of glamping: Nomada at Sea offers an immersive voyage through the BVI within an upscale boutique hotel-like setting. The hotelier’s design team deftly curated an elegant island aesthetic without the tropical kitsch. At Tortola’s Nanny Cay Marina, arrangements of lush tropical flowers flanked the ladder inviting my fellow travelers and me aboard. We were then greeted by the gracious crew who’d shepherd us through the isles: captain Ryan Adler; Michelin star experienced chef Kenetha Ashton ; and stewardess Costanza Fernandez.

What a stylish place to listen to safety instructions, I thought as our group settled into the lower deck’s handwoven Janus et Cie chairs and plush dining banquette, upholstered in a Pierre Frey performance tweed in shades of sea and sky. Above my shoulder, a matching sun bed begged for loungers (as comfortable of a spot for sipping cocktails as for sneaking in a mid-afternoon nap—both thoroughly tested for research purposes, of course!).

Colorful rolls of fringed Matouk beach towels collected in a woven basket like a bouquet caught my eye as Captain Ryan pointed to where the snorkels, Seabobs, stand-up paddleboards, and other gear for watersports were stored on either side of the stern. And up on the front deck overlooking the bow, another pair of sun beds sat behind At Sea’s two new trampolines, breezy perches for reading one of the novels from the catamaran’s stocked bookshelves.

Swanky soared quickly to full-blown luxury as we were ushered through a sliding glass door into to the salon. If the delicious aromas of Chef Kenetha’s lunch wafting from the open kitchen weren’t intoxicating enough, my eyes fixated on the L-shaped banquette nestled within the bleached wood interior and dressed sharply in a geometric palm leaf green and tropical blue patterned velvet (also by Pierre Frey).

It became a buzzy perch for enjoying a freshly brewed espresso; hanging on the crew’s every word as they regaled stories of their sails across the world; and simply taking in the wild, mountainous coastline through the salon’s surrounding windows. (Sailors can bring a piece of the salon home with pillows in the banquette’s fabric via the hotelier’s online shop, Nomada Deco .)

Down a short flight of stairs awaited my private cabin (one of five guest rooms on board). Warm wood paneling enveloped a queen bed outfitted in crisp white Matouk linens, where from beneath the cool cotton duvet I settled in for the night with Netflix cued up on the ensuite iPad and awoke in the morning to the sherbet-hued sun rise glowing through the room-spanning windows. A small door hid the private bathroom, where from nickel Waterworks fixtures in the standing shower I washed off the day’s sunscreen, salt, and sand and then slipped on the fluffy blue-piped Matouk robe to leisurely primp for dinner.

Rivaling At Sea’s dreamy design aesthetic are its smartly curated itineraries, which are customized for every charter. Delightful and diverse discoveries await above and below the surface, and the bespoke schedules help travelers experience BVI’s natural and cultural beauty to the hilt. After a family-style breakfast around the alfresco dining table on the lower deck, we disembarked from our digs on a dinghy to explore one island after the next.

On the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda, my fellow travelers and I hiked through The Baths National Park, where mammoth granite boulders shelter quiet sea pools along the white-sand beaches. At Norman Island, we snorkeled around Treasure Point (today’s jewels are the vibrant fish shimmying through the reefs), while along the uninhabited Dog Islands we raced on Sea Bobs. We swam and walked the beaches at Sandy Cay, formerly owned by Laurance S. Rockefeller, whose conservation management team planted over 200 palm trees and designed a trail network through its 13.57 acres.

At Jost Van Dyke we waded ashore to the Soggy Dollar Bar for Painkiller cocktails topped with freshly grated nutmeg. We cruised the North Sound via sailboat borrowed from the landmark Bitter End Yacht Club. At every destination, locals welcomed us with enthusiasm, eager to finally share their home with travelers again after rebuilding from the devastating Hurricane Irma in 2017 and reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

Aprés explorations on land and sea, we returned by happy hour to our luxe base camp, where she was moored for the night among other catamarans within a quiet cay. A gourmet culinary experience awaited us, whether prepared by chef Kenetha or by a local restaurant on shore, and later our cloud-like beds, where we rested up comfortably for another day venturing into the wild.

On the final night of charter, Great Harbour gently rocked me as I floated above it on the bow’s trampoline. Reggae and laughter echoed across the mountain-hugged inlet of Jost Van Dyke as dinghies ferried fellow sailors from dinner and dancing at local watering hole Foxy’s back on board their moored boats.

Gazing upward, I’d only ever seen such a big sky in the American West, but I felt that same spirit of connection to natural world as the stars twinkled above the Caribbean and tucked behind the surrounding islands’s forested peaks. At Sea navigated my fellow travelers and me on a glamorous voyage through the BVI and shared its riches of natural splendor, spirit of hospitality, and tropical adventure. X marks the spot.

Book Your Stay

Visit Nomada At Sea's website for details on booking your Caribbean voyage. The private charter can accommodate up to 10 guests, and rates begin at $43,000/week.

Grace Haynes is the Senior Home and Garden Editor for VERANDA, where she manages the brand’s home and garden coverage. She also writes and edits stories across print and digital platforms, ranging in topics from design and decorative arts to flower arranging, entertaining, travel, and more. Additionally, she leads the World’s Most Beautiful Shops and World’s Most Beautiful Gardens franchises. Prior to joining VERANDA, Grace built her background in home and garden content as an editor at Southern Living . She most enjoys reading and sharing stories that bring interiors and landscapes to life.  

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