COASTAL NAVIGATION

In this course you'll learn how to safely navigate the Bay and Coast. Even with modern day electronics you need to have a basic understanding of plotting your course and updating your position.  Familiarization of charts, compass, symbols, dead reckoning, plotting, line of position, set and drift, bearings and more take the mystery out of safely navigating .  This 6 lesson evening course is held once a week.   This 6 lesson course is for people interested in learning the fundamentals and skills necessary to navigate a small craft along the coast or on the Bay. There are two main objectives for the course. One is to pass the ASA Coastal Navigation exam given after the course. The other is to get students familiar with the San Francisco Bay Area sailing waters and landmarks.

Included are: chart use and symbol recognition, instruments and equipment for piloting, use of plotting equipment, aids to navigation, use of the compass including measuring deviation and correction, plotting and dead reckoning,, lines of position, fixes including running fixes, tides and currents including us of tables, current sailing, danger bearings, useful publications, and problem solving.

Upon successful completion of this course students receive ASA certification for Coastal Navigation.

BAREBOAT CHARTERING

This 4 day course prepares you to charter boats to 50 feet on your own.  In this course you'll learn large boat handling skills and familiarization of ships systems with inboard diesel engines, multiple cabins, kitchens, toilets, nav equipt, etc. Stay overnight on the boat and become familiar with all onboard equipt. Includes motoring, docking, anchoring, cooking, entering an unfamiliar harbor, man overboard procedures, radio procedures and protocols. You'll understand the responsibilities of skipper and crew, and what it is like staying aboard a sailing yacht for an extended period.  This course can be taken on the Bay or on one of our many overseas sailing vacations.  The Bay course includes a weekend overnight on the Bay.  Upon successful completion of this course you'll receive ASA certification for Bareboat Chartering.
Prerequisite- Basic Coastal Cruising & experience as a skipper at the BCC level.