COURSE DESCRIPTONS

Our Advanced Grades Courses start with Seamanship and Boat Handing. They build on the basics taught in the Boating Course. They are the recommended first courses for new members, both power boaters and sailors. Students learn practical marlinespike, navigation rules, hull design and performance, responsibilities of the skipper, boat care, operating a boat under normal and abnormal conditions, what to do in various emergencies and weather conditions, nautical customs and common courtesy on the water. Seamanship and Boat Handling are required to achieve the grade of SEAMAN. This is the only Advanced Grade Course that discusses the operation of small boats and provides the foundation for a rewarding educational experience for new and current members.

Next is Piloting. Piloting is the first of a two-part program studying inland and coastal navigation. It focuses on the fundamentals of piloting—keeping track of a boat’s movements, determining your position at any time and laying out courses to a planned destination. Included are such subjects as: charts and their use; aids to navigation; the mariner’s compass; variation and deviation of the compass; plotting and steering courses; dead reckoning; and plotting and labeling charts.

Then comes Advanced Piloting. This is the final part of the inland and coastal navigation series. It emphasizes the uses of modern electronic navigation systems and other advanced techniques for finding position. Among topics covered are: tides and currents and their effects on piloting; finding position using bearings and angles; simple use of the mariners sextant; and electronic navigation—radar, loran, GPS, etc.

This is followed by Junior Navigation. This is the first of a two-part study in offshore (open coast) navigation. It is designed as a practical, how-to-course, leaving the theoretical and more advanced techniques for the Navigation Course. Subject matter includes: basic concepts of celestial navigation; how to use the mariner’s sextant to take sights of the sun, moon, planets and stars; the importance and techniques of accurate time determination; use of the Nautical Almanac; how to reduce sights to establish lines of position; and use of special charts, plotting sheets and other navigational data for offshore positioning and passage planning.

And, finally Navigation. This is the second part of the study of offshore navigation. It further develops the students understanding of celestial theory. The student is introduced to additional sight reduction techniques and develops greater skill and precision in sight taking, positioning and the orderly methods of carrying on the day’s work of a navigator at sea. Of particular interest and importance is the study of offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat.

Our Elective courses are Cruise Planning, Engine Maintenance, Instructor Development, Marine Electronics, Sail, and Weather.

Cruise Planning is designed for members who plan to cruise for just a day or for a year—in either a sail or powerboat—this course covers such topics as: planning a voyage; financing a voyage; managing commitments back home; equipping a cruising boat; selecting the crew; provisioning; managing a voyage; entering and clearing foreign ports; emergencies afloat; and security measures.

Engine Maintenance is in two parts, Basic and Advanced. Basic 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. Advanced delves into cooling and exhaust systems, lubrication, fuel and air induction systems, ignition systems, electrical and starting systems, power trains, and troubleshooting. The last chapter is on emergency repairs afloat.

Instructor Development deals with effective communication for speakers and teachers—a quality that benefits the individual in all walks of life. It offers practical instruction in: preparing for teaching assignments; preparing for meeting presentations; effective teaching techniques; conducting efficient meetings; and selecting and using audiovisual aids.

Marine Electronics is a three-part course. It teaches essential knowledge about a boat’s electrical and electronic systems including: proper wiring; grounding; corrosion and electrolysis control; batteries and their maintenance; depth finders; marine radiotelephones; radar; loran; GPS; and other electronic positioning systems.

Sail is a two-part course, introduction and advanced. Introduction teaches the basic elements of sailing, including terminology; sailboat rigs and sail plans; boat design and hull types; sails; standing and running rigging; boat, true and apparent wind; leaving and returning to dock; sailing upwind and downwind; marlinespike for sailors;  and basic sailing rules. Advanced teaches forces, stability and balance; sail trim; tuning a rig; steering and helmsmanship; spinnaker handling; heavy weather sailing; survival in storm conditions; safety procedures; racing and race management; complete navigation rules for sailing vessels.

Weather is a two-part course, basic and advanced. This 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. Basic includes: effects of heat and cold; wind and wind pressure; storms and fronts; rain, humidity, and fog; and floods, droughts, and winter precipitation. Advanced includes: thunderstorms and tornadoes; tropical weather; atmosphere and clouds; forecasting; and climate.