[capttb]

I took one of these classes last year in San Juan Islands of Washington State. I learned to sail as a kid with no formal instruction. The basic keelboat & coastal cruising are pretty basic and you shouldn''t have a problem challenging them. The bareboat is a little more difficult if only because of navigation problems.
We got a great deal from www.Orcasailing.com, $995 per person for my wife & myself, because it was after labor day other openings on boat were not filled so it was just us and the instructor on a 45'' Beneteau, with 4 cabins. Lots of time to work on practical skills, airfare from LA to Bellingham was only $250 RT.
If you are concerned about cert. tests get the books and read them before you go. Many places put 6 students on a boat this size, these guys will only book 4 at a time. The student/instructor ratio really determines how much time you get to spend on the aspects most important to you.