America's Boating Course
Connecticut Power Squadrons official State
Boating Course
Completion of this class will satisfy the Connecticut Boating Class
requirements for applying for a Connecticut Boating Certificate. Get
your State Boating Certificate with the Best Course.
USPS Seminars
The Unites States Power Squadrons national education committee provides material for numerous seminars that the local squadrons can use for educational purposes.
These seminars are usually presented in one 2-3 hr session. Depending on materials the cost ranges from free to $20 or possibly more. Often the cost of the mateials is optional.
Seminars are held in an informal manner, and usually attract participants with a variety of experience on the subject. This allows an interaction between new and experienced boaters that is often enlightening.
Five Advanced Grade courses are offered by USPS. Boat Handling covers basic deck seamanship, marlinspike (knots and ropes), anchoring and rafting, basic boat care and maintenance, and nautical and USPS customs and etiquette.Marine Navigation is the first and most basic navigation course, covering chart reading, course plotting, and basic coastal or inland navigation, including basic GPS usage. This course goes into more detail than the charting information covered in the public courses.
Advanced Marine Navigation covers more advanced coastal navigation techniques, navigation in tides and currents, and more advanced GPS usage.
Offshore Navigation teaches the basics of offshore navigation, including basic celestial navigation using the sun and offshore course planning.
Celestial Navigation is the most advanced navigation course taught by USPS, covering more advanced celestial navigation techniques, emergency navigation, and additional sight reduction techniques.
Elective Courses in six area are offered by USPS.
Engine Maintenance covers the operating principles and basic care and maintenance of outboard and inboard engines, including diesels.
Marine Electronics covers installation and maintenance of both boat electrical systems (AC and DC) and marine electronics (VHF radio, radar, GPS, etc).
Cruise Planning covers topics of interest for someone planning a cruise – whether for just a weekend or for a year – including preparation and planning, anchoring, security, chartering, and cruising outside the US.
Weather covers weather systems, patterns and forecasting.
Sail covers everything from the basic elements of how a sailboat works to sail trim, rig tuning, and sailboat racing.
Instructor Development teaches effective communication skills for not only USPS instructors but everyone, covering various methods of presenting information to others, effective use of audiovisual aids (including PowerPoint), etc.