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Vessel Safety Check

Cleveland Sail and Power Squadron

Members Classes

Seamanship    Piloting    Advanced_Piloting    Junior_Navigation    Navigation    Weather   Sail    Marine_Electronics    Engine_Maintenance    Cruise_Planning    Instructor_Development    Operations Training

Fall Schedule

Marine Electronics TBA, Piloting TBA

Please contact Ken Jeffery at 2162143630, or Neil Steiger at 2162837452 with questions and comments. If you wish, contact Neil by clicking here to access a form designed specially for that purpose.

Class Descriptions

Seamanship - Building on the basics learned in Boating, the Seamanship course is an important foundation for other "advanced grade" courses. The student learns:

Piloting - NEW GPS BASED ! This course is the first of a two-part program studying inland and coastal navigation. Its focus is on the fundamentals of piloting-keeping track of a boat's movements, determining one's position at any time and laying out courses to a planned destination. Included are subjects such as:

Charts and their use
Aids to navigation
The mariner's compass
Variation and deviation of the compass
Plotting and steering courses
Dead reckoning
Plotting and labeling charts

Advanced Piloting - This course is the final part of the inland and coastal navigation series.  Its emphasis is on the use of modern electronic navigation systems and other advanced techniques for finding position.   Among topics covered are :

Charts and their use
Tides and currents and their effect on piloting
Finding position using bearings and angles
Simple use of the mariner's sextant
Finding position using bearings and angles
Electronic navigation - RADAR, LORAN, GPS, etc.

Junior Navigation - This is the first in a two-part program of study in offshore navigation.  It is designed as a practical "how to" course.  Subject matter includes :

Precise time determination
Use of the Nautical Almanac
Taking sextant sights of the sun, moon, planets and stars
Reducing sights to establish lines of position
Special charts and plotting sheets for offshore navigation
Offshore navigational routines for recreational craft

Navigation - This course is the second part of the study of offshore navigation, further developing the student's understanding of celestial navigation theory.  The course covers :

Additional sight-reduction techniques
Honing skills in sight taking and positioning
Orderly methods for the navigator's day's work at sea
Navigating with minimal resources, as in a lifeboat

Weather This weather course will furnish basic weather knowledge for safer and more enjoyable boating. The student will learn to make weather predictions based upon observations of the sky, upon barometer and wind information, as well as weather data provided by maps, satellite images, and radio and TV broadcasts. Wx 101 and Wx 102 use a USPS supplement manual together with The Weather Book from USA Today (second edition, 1997) as the textbook. Topics include:

Effects of Heat and Cold
Wind and Pressure
Storms and Fronts
Rain, Humidity and Fog
Floods, Droughts, and Winter Precipitation
Thunderstorms and Tornados
Tropical Weather
Atmosphere and Clouds
Forecasting
Climate

Sail This course provides a thorough study of the terminology and dynamics of sailing. It includes:

Types of hulls and rigs
Running and standing rigging and their adjustments
Hull and water forces caused by wind and waves
Forces vs. balance
The theory of sailing
Points of sailing
Sail handling
Sailing under various wind conditions
Navigation rules unique to sailing vessels

Marine Electronics The Marine Electronics course consists of three modules:  ME 101, Boat Electrical Systems, ME 102, Marine Radio Communications, and ME 103, Marine Electronics for Navigation.  There are no prerequisites for any of these modules: however, it is suggested that a member take ME 101 before taking ME 102.  All three modules must be successfully completed to receive credit for Marine Electronics.

ME 101, Boat Electrical Systems, provides information about properties of electricity, electrical power requirements and wiring practices, direct current power, alternating current power, galvanic and stray-current corrosion, lightning protection, and electrical interference.

ME 102, Marine Radio Communications, delves into radio waves and transmitters, receivers and transceivers, antennas and transmission lines, FCC Rules and Regulations, FCC Frequency Plan, marine radiotelephone operating procedures, and other communication services (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Digital Selective Calling (DSC), Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), satellite communications, amateur radio, and more).

ME 103, Marine Electronics for Navigation, presents information on depth sounders, RADAR, LORAN-C, GPS Navigation, and two new chapters:  Electronic Charting, and Computer-Assisted Navigation (CAN).  Members may take this module independent of any other ME module.

Engine Maintenance The new modular, more in depth Engine Maintenance courses are now available.  Both of these courses are intended to help the recreational boater.  Both courses discuss inboards, stern drives, and outboard engines.  Even if you've completed EM before, these courses are well worth taking as they introduce new material and provide greater information on all subjects. Completion of both of these modules is required for credit for Engine Maintenance.

EM 101, Basic Engine Maintenance, provides information about marine propulsion systems, basic engine principles, engine components; controls, instruments and alarms, marine engine maintenance, and steering systems. There is a chapter on winter storage and spring servicing that includes a 25 step winterizing checklist.

EM 102, Advanced Engine Maintenance, delves into cooling and exhaust systems, lubrication, fuel and air induction systems, ignition systems, electrical and starting systems, power trains, and trouble shooting.  It concludes with a chapter on emergency repairs afloat.

Cruise Planning Designed for members who plan to cruise for just a day or for a year--in either a sail or powerboat--this course covers the following topics:

Cruise preparation and planning
Boat and Equipment
Anchors and Anchoring
Security
Chartering
Cruising Outside the United States
Crew and Provisioning
Voyage Management
Communications
Navigation
Weather
Emergencies

Instructor Development Unlike other USPS courses, the Instructor Development course is not designed to enhance boating skills.  Rather, its emphasis is on enhancing instructor skills.
The course has been designed to demonstrate interactive teaching methods focused on adult learning.  Students are required to prepare lesson plans and give four presentations to their peers utilizing a variety of teaching aids and presentation skills.  Each presentation is to be given on a topic from one of the public boating classes with the intent that upon completion of the course every student will be qualified to teach or proctor at a squadron boating class.
Fully developed suggested lesson plans for each chapter are contained in the instructor manual and PowerPoint presentations are available, as well as overhead transparency masters.

Operations Training Operations Training covers National, District, and Squadron organization, procedures, etiquette, uniforms and flags. It is highly recommended for all members, especially those who will become officers.