Dates & Locations 

Boating classes are held two times each year for 14 weeks starting in September and January. The Boating Course is open to the public, and may be taken in the classroom or by correspondence. You will be taught proper and safe handling of all types of boats, but do not have to own a boat to enroll. Whether your interest is outboards, canoes, cruisers, or sail, this is the course for you. Lectures are given by volunteer instructors who offer expertise in their specific areas. Proctors are assigned to small groups of students to provide assistance as necessary. Among the subjects taught are:

Boat Handling

Nautical terms that boaters use. Types and handling characteristics of both power and sail boats. Docking and undocking. How to manoeuvre a boat in wind and current. Car-top boats, trailering and ramp launching.

 

Lines and Anchoring

Types of anchors and lines. Mooring. Essential knots and the care of rope and other tackle.

 

General Seamanship

Weather and its effects. Use of tide and current tables. How to successfully negotiate canals and locks.

 

Charts and Piloting

How to read information on charts—symbols and abbreviations. Piloting instruments: pelorus, protractor and parallel rules. How to lay and plot a course. Finding position by bearings. Dead reckoning.

 

Mariner’s Compass

Types of compasses, their care and use. Variation and deviation. True, magnetic and compass courses.

 

Aids to Navigation

Buoys and beacons, their types, colors and numbering systems. Radio aids. Lights, ranges and fog signals.

 

Equipment and Boating Laws

The life-saving, fire-fighting, signaling and lighting equipment which the law requires boats to carry. Also, the additional equipment every good skipper should carry. How to license, register and number a boat.

 

Rules of the Road

Traffic laws of the waterways. The rules of right-of-way when boats meet or their paths cross, for both sail and power. The whistle signals and all the other pertinent regulations governing boat operation.

 

Safety Afloat

Fire prevention in fuel handling. Ventilation. Use of life-saving equipment, and artificial resuscitation. Distress and fog signals. Emergency situations: heavy weather, man overboard, holing, sinking, grounding. Towing and rendering assistance.

 

Manners and Customs

Proper clothing and footwear for safety aboard. Obligations of a skipper, crew and guests. Yachting and naval customs.

(Circumstances permitting, the course will include cruises
for practical demonstration and experience.)

The Boating Course is NOT a difficult course. No mathematical skills are required beyond the ability to add, subtract, divide and multiply simple figures. (Calculators are quite acceptable.)

It does, however, require home study. Students must be prepared to devote up to 3 hours per week between sessions; otherwise, time and money is largely wasted.

Please note that owning a boat is NOT a requirement for this course.

Class sizes are restricted, so please sign up early. Confirmation of registration will be mailed to each applicant in the form of an official receipt.

The fee (2008) for the Boating course is $236, however may vary slightly depending on Squadron due to local rental fees for classrooms. This fee covers classroom rental, instruments, textbook and other training material that are given out at the first class.