Recommended boating courses?

F

ferret30

New member
I took the online boat-ed.com course when I first got our C-Dory so I could get some info and be legal (WA boaters license card).

Now I'd like to get feedback on other courses I should take. A coworker mentioned the USPS America's Boating Course, but there are none open around me now, and from looking at the course synopsis, it looks like a pretty big overlap with the material I read online already. He also mentioned a USCG "Seamanship and Boat Handling" course. Note that I'm not looking to take a lot of classes now -- some can wait. I'd just like to figure out what would be the best option considering our limited available time.

This is our first boat, and we've only been using it on Seattle area lakes for now, until we get a kicker and take some more courses. Next spring we'd like to start using it on the sound.
 
The local Power Squadron provides ongoing education opportunities, from basic boating to more advanced courses. Membership is required, but they usually have social events and cruises, so can be a social outlet as well.
 
Classes are great and should be taken but I find that doing is the best teacher. get out on the boat and not just to cruise. Go take the boat for a few hours of docking practice. Or find a buoy and see how well you can keep the bow or side of the boat pointed at it as you move the boat around it. Practice your navigation skills by picking random way points and going to them on just your compass.

I spent two years teaching Marines how to shoot and I can tell you that no amount of classes will make anyone a good shot. No amount of classes with make you a good navigator.
 
Tom, I agree that many boating techniques are best learned with practice. We have had some great experience in the last 2 months! But what I'm talking about and hoping to get from class are the things you can't practice, but will hopefully have some understanding of when they happen. For instance, signs of bad weather approaching, how to pilot the boat in rough conditions, what to do if something bad happens. A lot of it is common sense, a lot will come with practice. But there are things that neither of those will prepare you for.
 
Hi.

It sounds as though the Coast Guard Auxiliary course "Boating Skills and Seamanship" might be what you are looking for. It is substantially more than the one-day courses taken to get the state boater's card and is several weeks long with, usually, one class a week. If you will PM me with your address I will try to find when a course is going to be offered near you.

Barry Daniel
USCG Aux
 
There's also a USCGAUX course that involves navigation with your GPS. Have not taken it, could probably teach it but am a new AUX member (after having 32+ years of Navy Navigation).

Go find about the local USCGAUX, you won't be sorry!

Charlie
 
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