Member Courses

ADVANCED GRADE COURSES

The current class schedule can be found HERE

Advanced grade courses may be taken in any order, but it is strongly recommended that S-P-AP-JN-N sequence be followed. Courses are usually held weekly. However, schedules may be modified as agreed between the instructor and students. Some of the courses are modular, and it is not necessary to complete the entire course at one time, though it is suggested that the student try and do that. The grade for that course will be only be awarded upon completion of all modules.

For more information, please contact our Education Officer via e-mail at education@minnetonkaps.org. Pending classes / schedules are listed initially under our current events and activities page.

Seamanship (S) (8 Sessions)

Building on the basics taught in the various Boating Course, Seamanship is the recommended first course for new members, both power boaters and sailors. Students learn practical marlinespike, navigation rules, hull design and performance, responsibilities of the skipper, boat care, operating a boat under normal and abnormal conditions, what to do in various emergencies and weather conditions, nautical customs and common courtesy on the water. This course provides an introduction to the USPS Educational Program and a strong foundation for members going on to other Advanced Grades courses. This is the only Advanced Grade Course that discusses the operation of small boats and provides the foundation for a rewarding educational experience for new and current members.

Piloting (P) (10 weeks)

The Piloting course is an exercise oriented hands-on experience in the classroom that will prepare the student for a single comprehensive open-book exam at the end of the course. Emphasis will be on the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) for determining position. There will also be emphasis on the use of paper charts for planning, integration with the GPS system, how to navigate using GPS and how to navigate in the event of an electronic failure. The student will also be introduced to digital charting. While the traditional paper chart will be used for plotting a course as part of the final exam, the chart itself will not be graded.

Advanced Piloting (AP) (10 weeks)

The new (2004) Advanced Piloting course will be an extension of the piloting techniques learned in Piloting as might be used in extended coastal cruising. Advanced Piloting will build upon the skills learned in Piloting, but the material presented will not be redundant. There will be continual emphasis on the use of electronic navigation tools including GPS, chart plotters and personal computers. The first module will explore piloting under challenging conditions. The second module will present piloting with tides and currents. Electronic tide charts will be referenced, and the rule of twelfths taught. The old tide tables will not be used. A single comprehensive open-book exam will be given at the end of the course.

Junior Navigation (JN) (4-6 months)

Junior Navigation is the first of a two-part program of study in offshore (open coast) navigation. It is designed as a practical, how-to-course, leaving the theoretical and more advanced techniques for the Navigation Course. Subject matter includes: basic concepts of celestial navigation; how to use the mariner’s sextant to take sights of the sun, moon, planets and stars; the importance and techniques of accurate time determination; use of the Nautical Almanac; how to reduce sights to establish lines of position (LOPs); and the use of special charts, plotting sheets and other navigational data for offshore positioning and passage planning.

Navigation (N) (6-8 months)

This is the second part of the study of offshore navigation. It further develops the student’s understanding of celestial theory. The student is introduced to additional sight reduction techniques and develops greater skill and precision in sight taking, positioning and the orderly methods of carrying on the day’s work of a navigator at sea. Of particular interest and importance is the study of offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat.

ELECTIVE COURSES

There are no prerequisites for any of the squadron’s elective courses, and they may be taken in any order. Indicated course lengths are estimates and are subject to modification by instructor.

Cruise Planning (CP) (4-5 weeks)

Designed for members who plan to cruise for just a day or for a year–in either a sail or powerboat–this course covers the following topics: Cruise Preparation and Planning, Boat and Equipment, Anchors and Anchoring, Security, Chartering, Cruising Outside the United States, Crew and Provisioning, Voyage Management, Communications, Navigation, Weather, and Emergencies. The manual includes a twelve-month cruise planning timeline. The course is non-modular with one final exam.

Engine Maintenance (EM) (8 weeks)

The new Engine Maintenance course is a ten chapter course that stresses the diagnosis of modern systems, while also teaching the basics of engine layout and operation. Gasoline inboards, outboards, and diesel engines are taught in a way that reinforces the common aspects of how engines work. This course is complete in one book with one exam.

Modern engines offer high reliability and good performance through the use of computerized systems for fuel delivery and engine timing.  Most of these systems are black boxes that can no longer be serviced by weekend mechanics with ordinary tools.  The EM course covers those repairs that do-it-yourselfers can still perform, teaches how to diagnose problems that might be beyond your ability to fix, and how to share information with your mechanic so the right repairs get performed. The new Engine Maintenance 2007 also covers basic mechanical systems such as drive systems (propellers), steering systems, and engine controls. The last chapter discusses solutions you might use to problems that could occur while afloat and away from a repair facility. Gasoline, diesel, and outboard engines are treated independently in this chapter.

Instructor Development (ID) (3-4 weeks)

This course deals with effective communication for speakers and teachers–a quality that benefits the individual in all walks of life. It offers practical instruction in: preparing for teaching assignments; preparing for meeting presentations; effective teaching techniques; conducting efficient meetings; and selecting and using audiovisual aids.

Marine Electronics (ME) 101, 102, &103 (8 weeks)

The Marine Electronics course consists of three modules: ME 101, Boat Electrical Systems, ME 102, Marine Radio Communications, and ME 103, Marine Electronics for Navigation. There are no prerequisites for any of these modules: however, it is suggested that a member take ME 101 before taking ME 102. All three modules must be successfully completed to receive credit for Marine Electronics.

Sail (Sa) 101 & 102 (6-8 weeks)

Sa101 – Introduction to Sail – This course teaches basic elements of sailing, including terminology; sailboat rigs & sail plans; boat design & hull types; sails, standing & running rigging; boat, true, & apparent wind; leaving & returning to dock; sailing upwind & downwind; marlinespike for sailors; basic sailing rules.Sa102 – Advanced Sail – This course teaches forces, stability and balance; sail trim; tuning a rig; steering & helmsmanship; spinnaker handling; heavy weather sailing; survival in storm conditions; safety procedures; racing & race management; complete navigation rules for sailing vessels.

Weather (Wx) 101 & 102 (14 weeks)

This weather course will furnish basic weather knowledge for safer and more enjoyable boating. The student will learn to make weather predictions based upon observations of the sky, upon barometer and wind information, as well as weather data provided by maps, satellite images, and radio and TV broadcasts. Wx 101 and Wx 102 use a USPS supplement manual together with The Weather Book from USA Today (second edition, 1997) as the textbook. Wx 101- Basic Weather topics include: Effects of Heat and Cold; Wind and Pressure; Storms and Fronts; Rain, Humidity, and Fog; and Floods, Droughts, and Winter Precipitation. Wx 102-Advanced Weather- topics include: Thunderstorms and Tornadoes; Tropical Weather; Atmosphere and Clouds; Forecasting; and Climate. A PowerPoint or jpeg slide set of cloud formations is available for downloading from the Weather website

ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Global Positioning Systems Seminar

This seminar is designed for the beginning GPS user who wants to become thoroughly familiar with how GPS works and develop the skills and knowledge to use GPS confidently on the water. No formal navigation training or chart experience is required. This is a hands-on seminar, and it is suggested that the student bring a hand-held GPS unit to class if they have one. The seminar includes the USPS GPS Learning Guide.

CPR/AED Training Certification

Depending upon interest and instructor availability, the squadron will offer training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and they use of the automated external defibrillator (AED). Upon successful completion of the one day training seminar, the student will be Red Cross certified.

Leadership Development Program (Operations Training OT)

Not an elective course. This program is meant to present workable tools for a practical approach to squadron leadership. It provides a means of identifying and choosing the proper course of action in using situational leadership and various leadership styles. Taking about three hours, this course covers leadership, communications and motivation.

LEARNING GUIDES

Learning Guides are available to both members and non-members and are designed to extend knowledge in boating-related fields. They may be ordered through the squadron, or directly from USPS Headquarters. There are no prerequisites and no fixed order of study. Contact the squadron Education Officer, or order directly from USPS. The following guides are available:

Amateur Radio

Amateur radio service as it applies to FCC regulations and licensing procedures.

Boat Insurance

Understanding marine insurance and how to get the coverage you need.

Compass Adjusting

This guide provides information on compass installation and several step-by-step methods for adjusting your compass.

GPS

This guide is an introduction to the Global Positioning System, its accuracy, features, navigational uses, and product selection.

How to Fly Flags

This guide provides descriptions and graphics of how to properly display and fly flags.

Introduction to Sailing

A basic introduction to sailing techniques, sailing terms and sail handling.

Introduction to Navigational Astronomy

A non-technical step-by-step introduction to the wonders of the night sky as it relates to navigation.

Knots, Bends, and Hitches (Marlinspike)

Excellent step-by-step instructions and diagrams on knots, ties, hitches and bends.

Oceanography

A great introduction to the ocean environment through a discussion of tides and waves, the chemistry of sea water and topography of the ocean floor.

Plotting & Labeling Standards

Describes nautical plotting and labeling techniques and provides recommended standards for navigational use.

Predicted Log Contests

Techniques and advanced procedures for winning a predicted log contest.

Radar

This course includes the principles of radar, selecting the right one for your boat, navigational system integration and where radar is going in the future.

Sight Reduction Methods

Self-study the reduction of sights to lines of position through: Law of Cosines using a scientific calculator, Nautical Almanac Tabular method, Modified Ageton, HO-229 and HO-249.

Skipper-Saver

This guide teaches basic boat handling to enable the first-mate to handle an emergency when the skipper is disabled.

USPS Glossary

If you ever wondered about a nautical term, you can probably find it here.

Water Sports

This is a how-to guide for water-skiing, board sailing, and personal watercraft.

Basic Knots CD

In cooperation with Beutner Multimedia, USPS now has three CDs available that effectively demonstrate marlinspike techniques. The Basic Knot CD is packaged with two different colored pieces of light nylon line that help show when a knot (like the square knot) is correctly tied. The demonstrations are well done and will be a terrific addition to the marlinspike reference library.