Catamaran Certification (ASA 114)

Ruth and I recently completed our ASA 114 Certification with Bay Sail out of Havre de Grace Maryland. Ruth also completed her ASA 104 Certification at the same time. Joining us were our friends Bruce & Karen who've been with us on most of our bareboat charters. Bay Sail is a nice little operation and works out of the Tidewater Marina.

The catamaran class was completed on a 35 foot Gemini Legacy. We choose the Legacy as it has two motors so we'd get good practice maneuvering the boat with the twin screws. The first day consisted of provisioning, practice figure eights and pulling around mooring buoys. After practicing out front of  Bay Sail, it was motor sailing down to Still Pond where we spent the night on the hook.

Ruth with Captain Bill

Saloon on the Gemini 35

Sunset on Still Pond

Still Pond at anchor

Still Pond

Picking up the crab pots

Lots of crab pots going into Still Pond but it was a nice night on the hook with a little swimming and a great dinner. The next day we headed down the Sassafras River where we spent the night at a Marina. We had a little wind on Saturday so we did a little tacking and gybing but we really needed more wind to really test the catamaran. Once we got into Georgetown on the Sassafras, it was docking practice and working the catamaran into the slip. We all did pretty well but I'd say Karen did the best and just worked us right into the slip. 

Ruth at the helm

Chart work needed for the ASA 104

Ruth, Karen & Captain Bill

Bruce is always happy on a sailboat

Sassafras River

Sunset on the Sassafras

Granary Marina

Relaxing during the long motor sail

We all took the ASA 114 test on Saturday and everyone passed. After a nice dinner at the Granary we wrapped things up and headed back to Havre de Grace the next day. This trip was not enough to tell me if we are going to prefer a catamaran or monohull so we'll need a longer period on a catamaran to decide what's best for us. It certainly didn't tack nearly as well as a monohull but the living quarters are a little more comfortable. I also liked the shallow draft.

Due to Hurricane Irma, our BVI trip has been postponed until 2018. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of the islands and we've sent our support through several BVI & Irma relief efforts. Still trying to figure out how to get a sailing trip in this fall, but nothing has been decided yet.