What are the prerequisites for this course?

You must hold ASA 101 and ASA 103 prior to enrolling so the ASA 104 curriculum can focus on advanced cruising skills.

Where do classes meet?

Check-in takes place at Naos Yachts, 13555 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA.

How many students per class?

Classes are limited to 3 to 4 students with a 2-student minimum to run the course.

What boats are used for instruction?

Instruction uses a 47-foot trimaran or 38-foot sloop and the school's fleet of Beneteau monohulls and Lagoon catamarans.

What does the course fee cover?

The listed fee ($2,200 per student) covers instruction and on-boat training; check Naos Yachts for specifics on provisioning and extras.

Is this course suitable for rough conditions?

Yes; ASA 104 is designed for moderate to heavy wind and sea conditions and teaches heavy-weather handling and safety protocols.

Bareboat Cruising to Catalina: ASA 104 Trimaran Course from Marina del Rey | Sailing | Catamaran

From the harbor at 13555 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey, ASA 104 Trimaran Bareboat Cruising delivers a hands-on, three-day push into open-coast seamanship and island navigation. Starting at Naos Yachts, students step aboard a 47-foot trimaran or 38-foot sloop to practice advanced sail trim, heavy-weather handling, anchoring, and docking as they surface-click toward Catalina Island's protected coves - Two Harbors, Emerald Bay, or Cat Harbor - depending on wind and instructor plan. This course is built for crews ready to move from coastal day-sailing to multiday command. In compact, instructor-led modules you'll master provisioning, galley operations, routine systems checks, auxiliary engine use, and dinghy operations while practicing chart plotting and GPS coastal navigation. US Coast Guard-licensed, ASA-certified instructors lead small classes capped at four students to maximize hands-on time and real-world repetition in moderate to heavy winds and sea states. Catalina changes the picture: sheer rock ridgelines of Catalina's Avalon and the kelp forests that fringe its bays give students varied practice in entering constricted anchorages, reading currents, and performing close-quarters maneuvers. The island's marine life - sea lions, garibaldi, and passing dolphins - adds teaching moments about local navigation hazards and protected habitat etiquette. It is not a scenic sideline but a real training ground where technique meets unpredictable ocean energy. Expect hard work and quick learning. The usual itinerary moves between Two Harbors and Emerald Bay or Cat Harbor, with instructors tailoring lessons to conditions. Prerequisites ASA 101 and ASA 103 mean you'll arrive with basic sail handling and rules of the road, ready to expand into captain-level decision-making. Limited class sizes mean more helm time, more lines to trim, and more time troubleshooting systems under instructor supervision. Practical benefits extend beyond certification. Graduates leave with confidence in provisioning for multi-day cruises, running onboard electrical and mechanical systems, and the judgment to skipper a coastal passage. For sailors in Southern California, this course is a concentrated route to competence and a direct way to learn island handling where rocky shorelines, kelp, and sudden wind shifts test real-world skills. Students sail aboard the newest fleet of Beneteau monohulls and Lagoon catamarans as well as the 47-foot trimaran used for handling drills, so you'll sample different platforms and learn how stability, reefing strategy, and helm feel change between multihulls and sloops. The course fee is $2,200 per student; Club membership details and a 10% instructor discount are available through Naos Yachts. Small groups, certified instructors, and Catalina's compact, rocky anchorages make this an efficient, high-value path to bareboat readiness. Bring sea-stable footwear and gloves.

About Naos Yachts

Naos Yachts is a Marina del Rey-based charter and sailing school offering a range of day sails, sunset cruises, powerboating courses, and ASA certification classes.

The company operates a mixed fleet that includes monohulls, catamarans, Beneteau models, Lagoon catamarans, and specialized boats like the Beneteau First 14 for single- or two-person sailing experiences. Trips available include three-hour daysails and sunset sails, extended day sails, instructor-led ASA courses such as ASA 104/114 combo to Catalina, coastal navigation (ASA 105), docking and maneuvering (ASA 118), dinghy handling (ASA 116), plus beginning and advanced powerboating (AB101/AB103).

All instruction is delivered by US Coast Guard licensed instructors or USCG-trained captains, and courses emphasize hands-on learning, safety, and small-group attention — advanced and beginning powerboating classes limit enrollment to three students per session. Vessel types and on-water routes focus on Santa Monica Bay and Marina del Rey harbor, providing scenic coastal sailing and practical seamanship training.

Naos Yachts serves private charters and public classes for families, friends, and aspiring boaters seeking certification or skill-building. Booking options include hiring a trained USCG captain for relaxed cruises or self-skippered outings for experienced sailors. Equipment and vessels used in courses are modern and purpose-suited for their curriculum, from dinghy towing and beach landings to coastal navigation and overnight passage training. The business combines a large local fleet, certified instructors, and structured ASA curriculum to deliver reliable experiences on Southern California waters. Reservation and scheduling are available through Marina del Rey booking channels and online reservation platforms nationwide inquiries.

Bareboat Cruising to Catalina: ASA 104 Trimaran Course from Marina del Rey

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