US Sailing NAV 1, Essentials of Marine Navigation
Course Dates: January 5, 7, 12, 14 (Tu/Thu) 6-9pm
Note that the makeup date, if weather interferes with any evening, will be Tuesday January 19th.
Do you know where you are on the water, and how to get where you’re going safely? New this year, NAV 1 is US Sailing’s foundational navigation course, and it’s a great way to build confidence whether you race, cruise, or simply want to be a more capable skipper or crew member.
This classroom course covers the essentials of modern electronic navigation: how to use your chartplotter or navigation app to confirm your position, plan a safe course, and make sense of the information on your screen. You’ll also learn how to keep a backup plan ready, because good navigators never rely on a single source. The skills apply on inland and coastal waters, day or night, and when visibility is poor.
During this course, you will:
- Set up an electronic navigation device for your vessel
- Find your course and speed using the data display
- Confirm your position using more than one source
- Tell the difference between course to steer, heading, and course over ground
- Understand cross-track error and use it to find a safe new course
- Use AIS to identify aids to navigation and other vessels
- Recognize and use aids to navigation (ATON)
- Create a backup navigation plan
Important: Please come to class with Navionics downloaded on your device of choice (tablet or phone) in order to participate in the exercises.
There are no US Sailing prerequisites, and this course is open to sailors and boaters of all experience levels.
Learn more about NAV 1 on the US Sailing website
Description
This course, taught by certified US Sailing instructors, will teach you the art of traditional navigation techniques, and how to integrate electronic navigation tools into your planning. There are no prerequisites and this hands-on course will allow you to immediately apply the material.
Each student will receive a copy of the US Sailing Essentials of Marine Navigation Student Book. Everyone that passes the exam will receive a sticker for your US Sailing log book.
The course takes place over 3 evening sessions, with a 4th evening for the (optional) certification exam. The makeup date will be used if weather interferes with any of the other day. We will communicate any changes to schedule via email and text message. Please opt in to text messages to ensure you receive any updates (we do not send marketing texts).
The class will be held in the Liberty Room, on the 3rd floor of the brick building along Key Highway. You'll receive an email on the first day of the class with building entry instructions.
If the course is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!
Please review our FAQ page for additional information, including details on our cancellation policy, and let us know if you have any questions (email info@downtownsailing.org).
Full payment is required at the time of registration. Space is limited.
