I'm interested to know if anyone has taken any type of on-line or self study course to learn to navigate? I'm interested in dead reckoning, coastal, celestial, ect. Thanks.
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Chuck
Education
Check out the related link. I have not taken their classes yet, but they do look good. Any time you can learn from any reliable source is great.
Check out the related link. I have not taken their classes yet, but they do look good. Any time you can learn from any reliable source is great.
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Steve
Power Squadron Courses
Joe, Check out the local US Power Squadron in your area. They have courses in about everything related to a boat, and you can take them self-study. I have completed quite a few that way. The link is for the national web site, but you should be able to get a feel for the courses offered as well as finding a local squadron. Steve
Joe, Check out the local US Power Squadron in your area. They have courses in about everything related to a boat, and you can take them self-study. I have completed quite a few that way. The link is for the national web site, but you should be able to get a feel for the courses offered as well as finding a local squadron. Steve
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Joseph Lynch
Navigation education
Have you consider becoming a member of the United States Power Squadron? USPS is a boating (ie) sailing and power boating organization. USPS is a fraternal organization that offers to its members educational courses in basic navigation (seamanship) Coastal and Near Coastal navigation. Finally moving to Celestial navigation and emergency navigation. Other courses include weather, engine maintenance, sailing, marine electronics. By the way if your state requires a formal safe boating certificate before operating a vessel. USPS and the US Coast Guard are the only two non commercial organizations that provide a nationally reconized certificate.
Have you consider becoming a member of the United States Power Squadron? USPS is a boating (ie) sailing and power boating organization. USPS is a fraternal organization that offers to its members educational courses in basic navigation (seamanship) Coastal and Near Coastal navigation. Finally moving to Celestial navigation and emergency navigation. Other courses include weather, engine maintenance, sailing, marine electronics. By the way if your state requires a formal safe boating certificate before operating a vessel. USPS and the US Coast Guard are the only two non commercial organizations that provide a nationally reconized certificate.
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Les Murray
Try the US Sail guides
US Sailing sells study guides for their tests. You can also find courses for most of their levels any US Sailing accredited program. They cuurently have Coastal Navigation for sale on their web site for $20 to non-members. Once you study the material, you can take a test from them that will earn you a certification . I believe you can buy the book from West Marine or directly from US Sailing. Good luck, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
US Sailing sells study guides for their tests. You can also find courses for most of their levels any US Sailing accredited program. They cuurently have Coastal Navigation for sale on their web site for $20 to non-members. Once you study the material, you can take a test from them that will earn you a certification . I believe you can buy the book from West Marine or directly from US Sailing. Good luck, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
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Paul
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Haig Dick
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Bill
USCG Aux
Ok, I have to give my Aux. people a boost. Try the Coat Guard Auxillary in you area. If you join training is free, is not cost are minimal. Bill
Ok, I have to give my Aux. people a boost. Try the Coat Guard Auxillary in you area. If you join training is free, is not cost are minimal. Bill
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Self study is isolating...
A class provides the opportunity to hear the answers to questions it hasn't occurred to you to ask yet, bounce your own questions off others, ask for more detailed explanations, and get more detailed answers than just the right one to the multiple choice question.
A class provides the opportunity to hear the answers to questions it hasn't occurred to you to ask yet, bounce your own questions off others, ask for more detailed explanations, and get more detailed answers than just the right one to the multiple choice question.
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Chris Hughes
Starpath School
I purchased the home study course from Starpath School of Navigation but, like Peggy said, it is isolating. Then went to Offshore Sailing School's Coastal Navigation Course at this year's Chicago Boat Show. Four days well spent and I'm going to the BVI with the confidence that I know where my boat is and where it is headed. I believe that a classroom setting with a qualified instructor and other students is really the way to learn.
I purchased the home study course from Starpath School of Navigation but, like Peggy said, it is isolating. Then went to Offshore Sailing School's Coastal Navigation Course at this year's Chicago Boat Show. Four days well spent and I'm going to the BVI with the confidence that I know where my boat is and where it is headed. I believe that a classroom setting with a qualified instructor and other students is really the way to learn.
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Al
will any of these "home study" courses...
...result in the type of certification that allows one to bareboat charter??
...result in the type of certification that allows one to bareboat charter??
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Daniel Jonas
Bareboat Certificate
If you want to charter bareboat, I think the charter companies are more interested in if you have sufficient experience equal to or a bareboat certificate or equal from a sailing school. I chartered from Moorings with a Basic Cruising Certificate (from a San Francisco based school) some years ago. More important than Coastal Navigation and/or celestial skills will be advanced classes in anchoring. Moorings kicked us loose after a 30 minute walk through on a 45 foot boat. The biggest boat I had sailed up to then was 32 feet. But I did learn to sail on San Francisco Bay and I had completed an advanced anchoring clinic. Also, I was asking more detailed question about the boats systems than they usually answered in a normal briefing. What you need to know to get around the British Virgins (and I suspect most Caribbean charter areas) is very basic chart reading which comes with a standard bareboat certificate. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
If you want to charter bareboat, I think the charter companies are more interested in if you have sufficient experience equal to or a bareboat certificate or equal from a sailing school. I chartered from Moorings with a Basic Cruising Certificate (from a San Francisco based school) some years ago. More important than Coastal Navigation and/or celestial skills will be advanced classes in anchoring. Moorings kicked us loose after a 30 minute walk through on a 45 foot boat. The biggest boat I had sailed up to then was 32 feet. But I did learn to sail on San Francisco Bay and I had completed an advanced anchoring clinic. Also, I was asking more detailed question about the boats systems than they usually answered in a normal briefing. What you need to know to get around the British Virgins (and I suspect most Caribbean charter areas) is very basic chart reading which comes with a standard bareboat certificate. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Try this
There's a book out called "Boat Navigation For The Rest of Us" that breaks coastal navigation down into simple terms. The author's name escapes me, but you should be able to find it at any large boookstore or your local marine supply. You can also try yourt local public library (they have the best prices, and videos are available in larger cities). Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
There's a book out called "Boat Navigation For The Rest of Us" that breaks coastal navigation down into simple terms. The author's name escapes me, but you should be able to find it at any large boookstore or your local marine supply. You can also try yourt local public library (they have the best prices, and videos are available in larger cities). Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
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