Training and Certification

[Dave Young]

I have been working on getting my US Sailing certifications and wondering what other people have found in training or certifications that have been useful and necessary. I have learned a few things in every class so far, including the Basic Keelboat. I expect to get my CPM and will do Offshore Passage Making if I can find the time. Any other recommendations on what to take, and what I can expect out of other training opportunities? I expect to live-aboard and do some blue water cruising for an extended length of time. Not just sailing related classes, but things like CPR, diesel mechanics, astromony, astrology...

 

[ted]

best of all

if you can and want a hard and comprehensive course for two to three months that will put you in stead for the rest of your sailing life - go the the south coast of britain and take a course with one of the major royal yachting association schools. you will get to ocean yachtmaster, learn on tides and experience the harder life of tidal sailing.yes i am british and have never regretted my boyhood training on the tidal areas of the south coast - near to cowes which you may have heard of.in any case be in touch with the royal yachting association which governs sailing and is the government sponsored body for necessary recreational sailing.it qualifications are compatable with the coast guard ones here in the u.s. and the two are gettingtheir heads together slowly to make the qualifications recipical.no illegal australian instructors that can be found employed by schools offering qualifications, etc. here.no apologies for being british on this topic of learning to sail!!find out more on the r.y.a. website - courses can be 1 week, weekend or 3 month, etc.ted.