Compass Revision is an independent study platform. It is not affiliated with, approved by, or endorsed by American Sailing. These companions do not award certification and do not replace instruction, on-water practice, or assessment through an authorized school and instructor.

Compass USA

Compass USA study companion

Bareboat Cruising Study Companion

Direct answer

Independent U.S. bareboat-cruising knowledge preparation for multi-day charter planning, leadership, systems, navigation, weather, and contingencies. Independent study companion mapped to the published ASA 104 knowledge standard. Not affiliated with, approved by, or endorsed by American Sailing. Completion does not award certification or replace on-water instruction and assessment. Charter acceptance is always the operator's decision.

Price
$49 once
Course size
10 modules
Access
Lifetime access
Format
Independent online study companion
Preview the free module

Course route

Learn the knowledge, then take it afloat with an instructor

1Free

Charter Readiness and Responsibility

Operator acceptance, skipper responsibility, honest experience, briefings, and contractual boundaries.

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2Full access

Multi-Day Passage Planning

Objectives, routes, daylight, tides, fuel, alternates, crew limits, and decision points.

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3Full access

Crew Leadership and Watchkeeping

Roles, briefings, fatigue, seasickness, watch routines, communication, and shared situational awareness.

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4Full access

Provisioning, Water, and Waste

Menus, stowage, water budgets, fuel, sanitation, garbage, and local discharge rules.

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5Full access

Advanced Anchoring and Mooring

Changing conditions, multiple anchors, shore ties, mooring inspection, dragging, and contingency plans.

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6Full access

Cruising Systems and Maintenance

Electrical budgets, charging, plumbing, refrigeration, heads, steering, tools, spares, and fault isolation.

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7Full access

Coastal Navigation and Pilotage

NOAA chart sources, routes, fixes, electronic navigation, pilotage, hazards, and arrival preparation.

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8Full access

Weather Routing and Shelter

Forecast evolution, synoptic context, sea state, thunderstorms, tropical awareness, shelter, and route adjustment.

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9Full access

Emergencies, Repairs, and Towing

Grounding, flooding, fire, dismasting, steering loss, propulsion failure, towing, and abandonment thresholds.

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10Full access

Dinghy, Shore, and Cruise Completion

Dinghy safety, outboards, shore access, security, customs awareness, return checks, fuel, and handback.

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What the companion includes

Clear knowledge and practical boundaries

  • Original lessons and explanations
  • 18 questions and 12 flashcards per module
  • Three 40-question mixed knowledge assessments
  • U.S. terminology, IALA Region B, federal and NOAA context
  • Practical-awareness prompts clearly separated from assessed knowledge

Not included

  • American Sailing certification or an official exam
  • Instructor-observed practical assessment
  • Copied textbook or examination questions
  • State-by-state legal advice
  • A guarantee that a charter operator will accept a qualification or resume

Editorial record

Primary-source review

Course content is original to Compass and reviewed against published standards and current U.S. government sources. State, local, vessel-specific, and operator requirements must be checked separately.