Includes the navigational theory, chart reading, course plotting and passage planning skills required to safely navigate a recreational vessel under 65ft in coastal and inland waters. The focus of this course is to utilize passage planning basics, Navigation and GPS chartplotter knowledge.
We strongly encourage completing all theory training prior to your first lesson. We have found this to be the quickest way for you to learn navigation as you will be able to spend more time with your instructor actually developing practical skills. Completion of the pre-course assignments are essential in this class.
Prerequisites:
Basic Keelboat (ASA 101), Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103) and Bareboat Cruising (ASA 104).
Course objectives include:
- Chart terminology
- Aids to Navigation (ATONs)
- How to use navigation tools to plot courses
- Rules of the Road, (COLREGS) interacting with other vessels
- True north and magnetic north
- Compass variation and deviation
- Determining your position using various techniques such as dead reckoning, running fixes and triangulation
- How to use your current GPS position to get you to your destination
- Set and drift from wind, tides and current
- How to determine your heading based on set and drift
On the water practical instruction includes:
- Use of navigation tools- GPS chartplotter, dividers, parallel rules and plotters
- Reading and use of paper charts
- Identification of navigation aids, paper and GPS charting, and the use of a hand-bearing and ship's compass
- Classes are offered weekends and weekdays.
- Class size is limited to five students.
- Call for tuition, availability, and family discounts.
- 50% deposit at enrollment.
- Full payment due 30 days before scheduled class.
- This course can be held on your own boat. Call for details.