The North Olympic Sail and Power Squadron is making it easy for community members to get educated on the water with their January schedule of fee-based classes and free clinics.
All classes are held at the Sequim Bay Yacht Club room located at the John Wayne Marina, 2577 W. Sequim Bay Road, in Sequim.
For complete information on these courses including costs or to sign-up for any of these courses, visit www.northolympicboaters.com or contact the squadron at education.nosps@gmail.com.
The schedule includes:
• Piloting
When: Nine-week course on Wednesdays, starts Jan. 3, 1-3 p.m.
Cost: $80/$160 for non-members; all books are provided
Description: This is the first navigation course and introduces the fundamentals of inland and near-shore navigation. Topics include marine charts, US Coast Guard and other aids to navigation, the boat’s compass, basic GPS, planning and monitoring courses, and what to do when electronics stop working.
• Junior Navigation
When: 12-week course on Wednesdays, starts Jan. 3, 9-11 a.m.
Cost: $95/$190 for non-members; all books are provided
Description: This is the first of two courses that train boaters for off-shore navigation, out of sight of land and with or without a working GPS unit. It is designed as a practical ”how to” course. There is also an introduction to the backup method of celestial navigation using a sextant and the sun to find a boat’s location anywhere on earth.
• Marine Electrical Systems
When: Nine-week course on Tuesdays, starts Jan. 9, 6-8 p.m.
Cost: $60/$120 for non-members; textbook is provided
Description: This course covers the properties of electricity and the practice of wiring a boat for both DC and shore power (AC). This course has been found to be extremely helpful to make boaters feel more comfortable and safe when maintaining their boat’s electrical system.
• Cruise Planning
When: Nine-week course on Tuesdays, starts Jan. 9, 9-11 a.m.
Cost: $65/$130 for non-members; all books are included
Description: This course prepares you and your boat for a cruise for a day, a week, a month or longer. Some topics covered include planning, financing the voyage, equipping the boat, provisioning, communications and entering and clearing foreign and domestic ports.
Also …
There will also be a free clinic for boaters entitled “Cruising to Canada” offered from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the “Gathering Place” at Sunland Golf and Country Club, 135 Fairway Dr. This clinic will be conducted by member Randy Roberts and covers all aspects of cruise considerations to Canada, including U.S. and Canadian customs procedures and requirements.
