Coastal Navigation: Advanced Cruising Techniques -

Classroom Location: Windmill Marina, 16065 32nd Street South, Afton, MN 55001.

Coastal Navigation: Advanced Cruising Techniques -
ASA Course 105

We use the official American Sailing Association (ASA) textbook and accompanying PowerPoint CD edited by Captain Thom Burns, Northern Breezes. Thom does seminars on the subject at both the Strictly Sail, Chicago and the Minneapolis Boat Shows. Captain Tom Igielski will teach the Afton class.

Learn the navigational theory and practical skills required to safely pilot a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters. Learn how to take this solid foundation and integrate it into sensible, practical applications of GPS usage. This is a tool which is directly responsible for up to 25% of all groundings according to the Boat U.S. Seaworthy Magazine, which compiles data from the boating insurance industry. Students progress from dead reckoning to more complex piloting while incorporating tides, current, leeway, GPS and a brush of radar. This is a fun learning experience with ASA certification!

The evening course meets six times and allows plenty of weekend chart/problem time. The Saturday course meets three times. Both classes require dedicated practice time in order to get the most out of the class.

Course Outline for Evening Class

Day 1: NAVIGATION, PILOTING AND CHARTS. Measuring direction and distance; utilizing the compass rose. READING NAUTICAL CHARTS. Chart symbols: Buoys, beacons, lights, soundings and danger symbols.

Day 2: DEAD RECKONING NAVIGATION. Measuring and plotting direction and distance, bearings and courses; speed-time-distance calculations, tacking upwind. BEARINGS AND FIXES. Using hand bearing compasses; plotting more bearings, use of soundings, deriving an estimated position, dipping a light, bow/stern versus beam bearings. BASIC GPS INTEGRATION.

Day 3: CORRECTING YOUR COURSE FOR CURRENT AND LEEWAY. Course, heading and track; determining set and drift of current; measuring leeway. TIDES AND TIDAL CURRENTS. Causes of tides and currents; using tables to predict height of tide, and set and drift of current; tidal current charts; visual indicators of current; shoaling effect; counter currents, insetting effect. FOG NAVIGATION. DR in fog; depth meter navigation; bearings in fog; Polynesian concepts and visual observations; surviving with shipping; Currents in fog. MORE GPS INTEGRATION.

Day 4: RULES OF THE ROAD. Right of way; avoiding close calls; skipper responsibilities; lights and Dayshapes; sound signals. ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION. GPS waypoints and routes, cross track errors, hierarchy of commands. Introduction to RADAR. MORE GPS INTEGRATION.

Day 5: REVIEW AND FUN PROBLEMS. Transiting problems on Lake Superior from the Apostle Islands. Attendance at this session is optional but highly recommended.

Day 6: EXAMINATION. Written exam cements independent navigational thinking and completes ASA requirements for Coastal Navigation certification.
 

Course Outline for Saturday Class

Day 1: NAVIGATION, PILOTING AND CHARTS. Measuring direction and distance; utilizing the compass rose. READING NAUTICAL CHARTS. Chart symbols: Buoys, beacons, lights, soundings and danger symbols. DEAD RECKONING NAVIGATION. Measuring and plotting direction and distance, bearings and courses; speed-time-distance calculations, tacking upwind.   BEARINGS AND FIXES. Using hand bearing compasses; plotting more bearings, use of soundings, deriving an estimated position, dipping a light, bow/stern versus beam bearings.  CORRECTING YOUR COURSE FOR CURRENT AND LEEWAY. Course, heading and track; determining set and drift of current; measuring leeway. BASIC GPS INTEGRATION.

Day 2: TIDES AND TIDAL CURRENTS. Causes of tides and currents; using tables to predict height of tide, and set and drift of current; tidal current charts; visual indicators of current; shoaling effect; counter currents, insetting effect. FOG NAVIGATION. DR in fog; depth meter navigation; bearings in fog; Polynesian concepts and visual observations; surviving with shipping; Currents in fog. More GPS INTEGRATION.  RULES OF THE ROAD. Right of way; avoiding close calls; skipper responsibilities; lights and day shapes; sound signals. ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION. GPS waypoints and routes, cross track errors, hierarchy of commands. Introduction to RADAR. More GPS INTEGRATION.  REVIEW AND FUN PROBLEMS. Transiting problems on Lake Superior from the Apostle Islands. Attendance at review session is optional but highly recommended.

Day 3: REVIEW AND EXAMINATION. Written exam cements independent navigational thinking and completes ASA requirements for Coastal Navigation certification.

Independent Study Class / Correspondence. This course has been successfully completed by several students who are remotely located. It usually requires some time spent with a navigation instructor by email or telephone. Cost is $149 for the correspondence course which comes with a book/study problems, and chart. The fee includes testing. We like to interview prospective students in this category. Please Call.

Course Fee: $249 includes course materials: Navigation Textbook and practice chart.  $35 discount for couples sharing materials (any two people signing up together).

Available for purchase: Navigation instruments by Weems & Plath.
8" Rolling parallel plotter: $18.00* - or - 12" parallel rules: $14.00*
Ultra light 7" dividers: $17.00.
Nautical Slide Rule: $19.00.
Chart Protractor: $20.00.
Chart No. 1: $14.00.
Coast Guard Navigation Rules: $13.00.  (All prices include tax.)

*Both instruments are ideal for chart books.


CLASS SCHEDULE:

Fall 2015 (Dates are subject to change)
 3-hour evening sessions 6-9 PM (or as close as possible)

N1: 6-9PM Tuesdays/Thursdays
      10/13, 10/15, 10/20, 10/22, 10/27, 10/29/2015 (exam) CLOSED

Directions: From I-94 and County Road 18 / Hwy 95

• Take County Road 18 South (Saint Croix Trail N) from Hwy I94 for 4.4 miles (south)
• Turn left at 32nd Street South (just in the town of Afton)
• Go through Marina entrance (approximately 1 block from Saint Croix Trail N) to parking lot A (on left) and then to building in middle of parking lot. Park in front of building.
Call Northern Breezes Sailing School at 763-542-9707 to register or with questions.

Prerequisite for this course: 
None.
This course along with Basic Cruising - ASA 103 and Bareboat Charter Certification - ASA 104 are prerequisites for Advanced Coastal Cruising (long offshore passages).

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Northern Breezes Sailing School
 3949 Winnetka Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN  55427
Call For Free Brochure (763) 542-9707
 American Sailing Association Sailing School

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