Our 5 day bareboat course works deeper into the theory and practice of larger boat cruising, allowing for a more extended cruise plan.

In addition to the topics taught in our 3 day course, in our bareboat course you will cover the following topics.

• electronic and coastal navigation
• current set and drift calculations
• radio communication protocol
• jury rigs
• advanced anchoring techniques under sail and power
• going aloft
• advanced cruise planning and advanced piloting.

Conducted during the week and spread over 5 days, we typically have the Chesapeake to ourselves and often experience a wider range of weather conditions.  Complete this course with the qualifications, skill and confidence to safely sail a similar sized boat in moderate to strong wind and seas. This is the perfect course to prepare you to charter a cruising boat on your own.

To gain the US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Certification you must have a US Sailing Basic Keelboat and US Sailing Basic Cruising certification.If you do not have the Basic Keelboat and Basic Cruising certifications you may still take the course. Sailors not interested in certification take this course for knowledge and experience. You should have the ability to confidently sail a boat on your own with a complete understanding of fundamental sailing theory. The course is suitable for graduates of our Basic Keelboat courses, our Basic Cruising course, as well as anyone with US Sailing Basic Keelboat and Basic Cruising Certification. Note the US Sailing Bareboat Certificate is the prerequisite for the International Proficiency Certificate.