I have taken a USPS Piloting class and would like to study more advanced Coastal Navigation, on through Celestial Nav, but I have a work schedule that is difficult to manage with the usual 10 or 15 week evening classes given by USPS or the USCGX. I'm also reluctant to do a 2 or 3 day crammed class like those given by Offshore, I know when doing software classes that way that you only retain half of everything that's thrown at you so quickly. I'm wondering about an online class, like Starpath. Has anyone here taken it? I'd like to know if doing it that way works well, whether you thought you got the most out of the material for the cost, or if I'd do just as well to read some good books on the subject (we worked with The Weekend Navigator in the USPS class, and we didn't cover currents or tides). Thanks!
Online coastal nav classes vs. classroom?
- Thread starter Moondancer
- Start date
- Status
I think that it depends on whether or not you
need an instructor. If you can self study, read and comprehend the material you are probably better off with self study. If having the papers to prove your knowledge is important to you, then a course led by an instructor and awarding a certificate upon completion is the way to go.
need an instructor. If you can self study, read and comprehend the material you are probably better off with self study. If having the papers to prove your knowledge is important to you, then a course led by an instructor and awarding a certificate upon completion is the way to go.
USCG Auxiliary Class Is Written to be Self Study
So if you can't make all the Classes you can still keep up. It is pretty tough and requires a great deal of time working the practice problems. It is in two parts an A and B some places go through the whole thing others do the A and then the B.
So if you can't make all the Classes you can still keep up. It is pretty tough and requires a great deal of time working the practice problems. It is in two parts an A and B some places go through the whole thing others do the A and then the B.
USPS Advanced Piloting self study also
I teach the Advanced Piloting (AP) course for our Squadron and we've had several students who did the course self study. We'd meet periodically to go over homework and do practice problems. I also encouraged the students to call me when ever they had difficulty. It worked out well for them as self study. Also I am doing the celestial navigation course (JN) self study now. Self study works for the USPS courses only if you have some self discipline to spend 1 or 2 hours every or every other night. The Power Squadron courses are excellent. The new courses integrate GPS and radar with standard course work and position finding techniques. If you complete the Piloting courses and the Advanced Piloting course you will have the skills you need for any coastal adventure. Since you started with SPS courses I'd stay with them. Talk to your instructor about doing self study. You can do it!
I teach the Advanced Piloting (AP) course for our Squadron and we've had several students who did the course self study. We'd meet periodically to go over homework and do practice problems. I also encouraged the students to call me when ever they had difficulty. It worked out well for them as self study. Also I am doing the celestial navigation course (JN) self study now. Self study works for the USPS courses only if you have some self discipline to spend 1 or 2 hours every or every other night. The Power Squadron courses are excellent. The new courses integrate GPS and radar with standard course work and position finding techniques. If you complete the Piloting courses and the Advanced Piloting course you will have the skills you need for any coastal adventure. Since you started with SPS courses I'd stay with them. Talk to your instructor about doing self study. You can do it!
USPS self-study
I didn't realize that the Coast Guard & USPS classes could be done self-study, maybe I'll look into that. I like the social atmosphere of a class, but if I can't get there I'd still like to study at home over the winter. We just moved up to a Catalina 320 from a Capri, didn't get it till July 4th weekend, and now the season's practically over! I want to be ready to get outta Barnegat Bay for some fun come spring. I'd like to try cruising somewhere I don't have to look a the depth every 30 seconds.... Thanks! Susan p.s. to everyone: what's the best/clearest/most helpful navigation book you've read?
I didn't realize that the Coast Guard & USPS classes could be done self-study, maybe I'll look into that. I like the social atmosphere of a class, but if I can't get there I'd still like to study at home over the winter. We just moved up to a Catalina 320 from a Capri, didn't get it till July 4th weekend, and now the season's practically over! I want to be ready to get outta Barnegat Bay for some fun come spring. I'd like to try cruising somewhere I don't have to look a the depth every 30 seconds.... Thanks! Susan p.s. to everyone: what's the best/clearest/most helpful navigation book you've read?
Book I liked best was actually the textbook for
Coast Guard Aux. course, "Advanced Coastal Navigation" AN-1 and it has a study guide AN-2. I found it helpful to have someone explain "doubling the angle off the bow", a technique I hope to never have to use in an hurry. Otherwise, It's like the metric system for sailors, all seems logical as long as you don't convert.
Coast Guard Aux. course, "Advanced Coastal Navigation" AN-1 and it has a study guide AN-2. I found it helpful to have someone explain "doubling the angle off the bow", a technique I hope to never have to use in an hurry. Otherwise, It's like the metric system for sailors, all seems logical as long as you don't convert.
Textbook available to public?
Thanks Ted. Are the texts available to the public for purchase, or do you have to sign up for the course first? Susan
Thanks Ted. Are the texts available to the public for purchase, or do you have to sign up for the course first? Susan
Check Your Local Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla
If they are not able to help you email me through this site and I'll get you the information. Nearest USCGAUX Flotillas to 08005 (listed from closest to farthest away) Click on Flotillas in color and underlined to go to the Flotilla website or contact person 053-07-10 WARETOWN FLOTILLA 2 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org 053-07-12 BARNEGAT LIGHT FLOTILLA 3 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org 053-07-04 MANAHAWKIN FLOTILLA 3 miles http://a0530704.uscgaux.info/ 053-07-09 LACEY TOWNSHIP FLOTILLA 6 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com; info@cgaux.org 053-07-02 TUCKERTON/LITTLE EGG HARBOR FLOTILLA 11 miles http://flotilla72.org/Site/Intro-73.html 053-07-07 MYSTIC ISLAND FLOTILLA 11 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org 053-07-11 BAYVILLE/GLEN COVE FLOTILLA 12 miles http://a0530711.uscgaux.info/ 053-16-05 BRICK FLOTILLA 16 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org 053-16-06 DOVER/BRICK FLOTILLA 16 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org (Miles are "as the crow flies" to the center of each flotilla's membership.) National Coast Guard Customer InfoLine: 1-877-875-6296 Here is a link that describes the course
If they are not able to help you email me through this site and I'll get you the information. Nearest USCGAUX Flotillas to 08005 (listed from closest to farthest away) Click on Flotillas in color and underlined to go to the Flotilla website or contact person 053-07-10 WARETOWN FLOTILLA 2 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org 053-07-12 BARNEGAT LIGHT FLOTILLA 3 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org 053-07-04 MANAHAWKIN FLOTILLA 3 miles http://a0530704.uscgaux.info/ 053-07-09 LACEY TOWNSHIP FLOTILLA 6 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com; info@cgaux.org 053-07-02 TUCKERTON/LITTLE EGG HARBOR FLOTILLA 11 miles http://flotilla72.org/Site/Intro-73.html 053-07-07 MYSTIC ISLAND FLOTILLA 11 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org 053-07-11 BAYVILLE/GLEN COVE FLOTILLA 12 miles http://a0530711.uscgaux.info/ 053-16-05 BRICK FLOTILLA 16 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org 053-16-06 DOVER/BRICK FLOTILLA 16 miles BCPS_RECRUITING@yahoo.com,info@cgaux.org (Miles are "as the crow flies" to the center of each flotilla's membership.) National Coast Guard Customer InfoLine: 1-877-875-6296 Here is a link that describes the course
Compared to Chapman's ??
How do these USPS and USCGAUX materials compare to Chapmans??? I have Chapman"s. Is America's Boating Course significantly better??
How do these USPS and USCGAUX materials compare to Chapmans??? I have Chapman"s. Is America's Boating Course significantly better??
ABC Course
Is designed for fols who need to learn the poiny end of the boat is called the bow. It is a very basic course. It does get you a discount with most insurance carriers and satisfies the requirement for a boating safety course for those who are required to have one though. If you find someplace offering the Boaters Skills and Seamanship or the Sailing and Seamanship Course that would be the way to go.
Is designed for fols who need to learn the poiny end of the boat is called the bow. It is a very basic course. It does get you a discount with most insurance carriers and satisfies the requirement for a boating safety course for those who are required to have one though. If you find someplace offering the Boaters Skills and Seamanship or the Sailing and Seamanship Course that would be the way to go.
- Status