Navigation course for skippers and crew
Sailing can seem easy, but …
Every skipper knows that it isn’t as simple as drawing a route on a chart, casting off the lines and heading over the blue horizon. What lies behind a successful coastal or offshore passage is good preparation, sound decision making and a solid skillset. Pretty much anyone can read a chart, but drawing up a realistic, practical plan is one of the key skills you need as a skipper. Despite that, it’s rarely taught. On this one day course, you’ll learn just that – actually how to navigate. Taught by top expedition skippers using real-world examples and simple methods this is a critical navigation course to boost your confidence and enable you to sail further afield.
Portsmouth. February 16 2020: £149.99
Portsmouth. May 10 2020: £149.99
Portsmouth. September 13 2020: £149.99
Navigation at sea is half art, half science. As seasoned expedition skippers who navigate all around the world, we want to share with you how we do it: the techniques we use, the apps we use, where we get our information from and why.
The course lasts a full day and is 8 hours of intensive tuition and explanation delivered by an expert navigator. You will learn the real world skills, hints and tips that will transform your confidence and abilities in navigation. To learn usable, real world navigation skills, this is the course you need to come on.
CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY
- Candidates must have RYA Day Skipper theory or above (or equivalent experience) or have taken our introductory navigation course: Yacht Navigation Essentials.
- The course is not suitable for those completely new to navigation at sea.
THESE ARE CRITICAL SKILLS FOR ANY SKIPPER OR SAILOR. BE UNDER NO ILLUSIONS – THE SEA CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE. SIGN UP ON A COURSE TODAY.
Introduction
Revision of the basics
Practical chartwork
- Reading a chart
- Profiling the seabed
- Chart surveys and limitations
Passage planning
- Hazards
- Weather for sailing
- Tidal constraints
- Choosing a safe route
Pilotage
- Eyeball navigation
- Pilotage plans
- Night pilotage
International voyages
- Formalities
- Research resources
- Preparations for offshore passages
- Watch systems
Coastlines
- Recognising the 7 different types of coastline
- Choosing the right techniques
The best-laid plans
- Plan A, B & C
- Choosing ports of refuge
- Common mistakes
- Changes in plan
Digital navigation
- GPS Chart plotters and software
- Passage planning
- GRIB files