While I thought the ASA 103 and 104 courses were great, I'm afraid I haven't yet found an insurer willing to reduce my rates because I had done them.

 

Insurance doesn't only question courses taken but your experience and what size of boats you've owned and for how long. Can't hurt to add ASA courses to the insurance app if they even ask, but might be good to ask the specific insurance company if it makes a difference in premium. If not, could be money wasted.

 

Take the ASA courses for your personal education. They will not help you one bit for lowering your insurance cost. None of the insurers I've ever dealt with were interested in training. They only cared about my sailing "resume."

They are mostly interested in boats you have owned and whether or not you had any prior claims.

-C

 

A 6 pack class might lower your rates. With all the costs involved it may not be worth it financially. What you learn will be well worth it.

 

I bet it varies with the insurance company. When I got my first boat (39') I was ASA bareboat certified but only had a few months of sailing experience. The insurance required me to get some more training by a captain, and afterward they lowered my rate.

So if you are want to take a course etc you should ask your insurance company if any and what type they would use in order to give you a discount.

 

My rates dropped only after having consecutive years without claims. They dropped again after getting my OUPV ticket. My ASA membership/status (instructor) did not lower my rates, at least to my knowledge.

FWIW - I've been with BoatUS for the past 6 years.

 

It helped me get my insurance in the first place and I really think kept our rates down a bit. But it really came in when we went into Montenegro and I do not have a captains license and was going to get kicked out of the country until I showed them my ASA courses. They accepted them and we stayed.

 

This may be "a bridge too far" based on your original question, but what I would tell someone trying for a 6-pack license is to sit for the biggest license you qualify for. If you have enough "sea time" you may be able to qualify for the exam for a license for CG-inspected vessels and not just the small uninspected ones, and for more than just 6 passengers. It's like two years' time instead of one, but the minimum tonnage would be 25 or more (like 50 or 100). You'd want to get the Auxiliary Sail endorsement too.

If you have the "time", go for the bigger license. May cost a little more, but not that much, and you have to pass a physical exam anyway.

I expect you'd get a discount for having a captain's license, it's a much "higher" credential than just ASA or USSA.

Years ago I sat for a 100-ton, still have it, I use it very occasionally, but nice to have, even if a pain in the neck to renew as I get "older"

More here:

NMC Charter Boat Captain

 

Regarding the licenses > OUPV. They are only required of captains in charge of an inspected sailing vessel, carrying > 6 passengers. Likewise, for the Auxiliary Sail Endorsement; it only applies to an inspected vessel.

 

If you are interested in sailing/chartering outside the USA or Carib, skip the ASA 104 track and work on getting an International Certificate of Competence (ICC). This cert, which is basically at 104 skill levels allows your legally operate and charter a boat in most countries. Some places (like Greece, Croatia, and Turkey) it is impossible to charter without one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Certificate_of_Competence

 

They accept the ASA certificate in those countries.

 

Yachtmaster. You actually learn something and it's a respected credential internationally. Allows ICC and RYA does some courses in US and Carribean. Ran into a course in progress in Barrington R.I. Benefit is things done in English.

 

Some information on ICC's and ASA

CROATIA - SAILING REQUIREMENTS:
To charter in Croatia, there must be at least one certified skipper over 18 years old. The skipper should be competent at
handling a yacht in close quarters, anchoring and mooring in varying conditions and be able to use navigation and
pilotage skills to plan the day's sailing and know your position at any time. As a yacht skipper, you are required to have
an official sailing license or a certificate issued by a government of state approved organization as detailed below:
Skipper is REQUIRED to have one (1) of the following:
 ICC (International Certificate of Competence), International
Prerequisites: RYA "Day Skipper Course" or complete the ICC Assessment form to prove competence from previous
experience.
 IPC (International Proficiency Certificate), America
Prerequisites: ASA 104 or US Sailing "Bareboat Cruising Course"

https://mymoorings.com/images/EO330.pdf

Who can get one?

Only ASA members who have completed through ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising, are eligible to order the International Proficiency Certificate. One must be a current member of ASA to be issued the certificate.

How do I get one?

You can get the International Proficiency Certificate through ASA. The certifications ASA 101, 103 and 104 are obtained though your local ASA School.

International Proficiency Certificate - American Sailing Association

 

Wow, allot of great information on this thread, thank you all for your input. Will definitely look into other course options as well.

 

My insurer gives a 10% rate reduction for certs., but the same rate reduction is offered if you've taken ANY recognized "safety training", so any of the basic courses offered by CG Aux. or Power squadrons qualifies. Speaking of which, the economical courses offered by the CG Aux. can be a great leg up for further certs. Taking the navigation and GPS classes from your local CG Aux. will make you the star pupil in your certification classes.

 

The USCG Aux here has a course called "Suddenly In Command". It's for spouses etc. who aren't normally in command, but might be in an emergency.

I just think it's a great idea.

 

Talking only of insurance in local waters (New England), I've seen some carrier giving discounts if you have training-certificated like ABC Boating Course (US Power Squadron).

 

It's not just the franchise (ASA, RYA) but their attitude. Many schools and instructors are obviously most interested in making money (I guess we can't blame them). Some seem more willing to balance money with getting folks into a sport they love.

Periwinkle
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