Do I need prior sailing experience?

Yes, successful completion of ASA 101 and ASA 103 courses is required before this advanced course.

Is food and drink included?

No, provisioning is part of the course. Students learn to plan and stock the boat themselves.

How many people per boat?

Groups are limited to 3 to 4 students per boat for personalized instruction.

What type of boats are used?

You’ll sail sloop-rigged, auxiliary powered Beneteau monohulls or Lagoon catamarans, 38-45 feet in length.

What are the key skills taught?

You’ll learn advanced sail trim, coastal navigation, engine handling, docking, provisioning, and emergency procedures.

Where exactly do we sail?

Typical routes are Catalina Island’s Two Harbors, Emerald Bay, or Cat Harbor, depending on weather and group plans.

Master Bareboat Cruising: 3-Day Catalina Island Sailing Course from Marina del Rey

Set sail from Marina del Rey, California's largest man-made small craft harbor, and embark on a transformative 3-day sailing course designed to elevate your skills to bareboat skipper level. The ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising course with Naos Yachts immerses you in an authentic sailing voyage to the legendary Catalina Island, a Pacific jewel known for its rugged coastline, crystalline coves, and abundant marine life. Catalina Island’s diverse bays—including the serene Two Harbors and scenic Emerald Bay—offer stunning backdrops of steep cliffs and coastal chaparral that contrast with the deep blue ocean, making each anchorage a unique classroom on the water.

This course is a comprehensive journey into the art of multi-day coastal cruising aboard a modern, sloop-rigged auxiliary powered sailboat, typically between 38 and 45 feet. You’ll gain hands-on experience handling a Beneteau monohull or Lagoon catamaran from Naos’s fleet, renowned for their modern design and safety. Under the guidance of US Coast Guard Licensed and ASA Certified instructors, groups remain small—3 to 4 students—to ensure personalized instruction. Expect an intensive curriculum that includes advanced sail trim, auxiliary engine operation, coastal navigation techniques involving both chart plotting and GPS, docking procedures, and emergency readiness.

The onboard experience is equally thorough: the boats come outfitted with fully equipped galleys, hot water for showers, and all necessary safety equipment including life jackets and dinghies with gas or electric motors. Beyond the seamanship skills, you’ll learn provisioning, galley operations, and routine maintenance to operate independently on longer voyages. The vessel’s cockpit is available for grilling and relaxing beneath the open sky, perfect for sharing stories and meals after dynamic days on the water.

Naos Yachts holds a respected place within Marina del Rey’s outdoor recreation scene for blending solid education with unforgettable adventure. The course emphasizes sustainability, teaching students to respect marine environments and minimize their footprint while cruising. Catalina Island itself, part of the Channel Islands archipelago, has a rich maritime heritage with over a century of recreational and commercial use, lending history to your journey.

Whether you aim to captain your own boat or deepen your coastal cruising expertise, this ASA 104 course offers superior instruction, an iconic destination, and a gateway to California’s Pacific coastline. From the moment you cast off the dock, you enter a world where skill-building meets coastal exploration in a uniquely rewarding sailing adventure.

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.

Master Bareboat Cruising: 3-Day Catalina Island Sailing Course from Marina del Rey

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