What certification?

[bern74]

WHile I have been around boats and boating for a long time I have never sailed.
I am toying with the idea of doing some sailing after retirement and am looking into sailing schools and the courses they offer.
I am rather confused about all the different certifications....ISPA, CYA, RYA, ASA, IYT?????? Is one any better than the other? Does one offer a better course then the other.........what would be the benefit of one over the other?

[David M]

Look at who you might be charting from in the future and see which accreditations they recognize. Which is best is going to depend on who you ask.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by bern74

WHile I have been around boats and boating for a long time I have never sailed.
I am toying with the idea of doing some sailing after retirement and am looking into sailing schools and the courses they offer.
I am rather confused about all the different certifications....ISPA, CYA, RYA, ASA, IYT?????? Is one any better than the other? Does one offer a better course then the other.........what would be the benefit of one over the other?

I teach three of those they are all good standards; it is the instructor who makes a huge difference. If you get severe exam anxiety take ISPA.

Where are you? What schools are close by?

[bern74]

Originally Posted by jackdale

I teach three of those they are all good standards; it is the instructor who makes a huge difference. If you get severe exam anxiety take ISPA.

Where are you? What schools are close by?

I am in very nothern Canada and would have to go to Vancouver or Victoria to take the course. So I am looking at the courses that offer a liveaboard option

[SkiprJohn]

If you purchase and sail your own craft there are local state specific requirements. Here in Hawaii currently there are no requirements for certification.

It's always good to have a few classes under your belt to get you off on the right foot and I always recommend at least a basic sailing class. Sometimes local sailing clubs offer free courses to new members.

kind regards,

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by bern74

I am in very nothern Canada and would have to go to Vancouver or Victoria to take the course. So I am looking at the courses that offer a liveaboard option

In Canada, CYA, ISPA and IYT would be your best choices. BC has several ISPA and CYA schools that offer liveaboard courses. There is one that offers IYT and the International Certificate of Competence needed in some European countries.

I can give you some names via PM.

Jack

[OldFrog75]

Originally Posted by David M

Look at who you might be charting from in the future and see which accreditations they recognize. Which is best is going to depend on who you ask.

I joined a club/school because they have a presence in 6 marinas in So. Cal. and a fleet of 80+ boats available for charter. It happens they are ASA affiliated but I would have taken whichever course they offerred so long as it gave me access to their facilities and boats.