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**This clinic is only for DSC Keelboat Instructors. **
BKI Candidates! Here's your chance to start working on your single-handing skills before the evaluative course in the Spring. During the clinic, you'll have a chance to learn best practices for boat handling, POB maneuvers, and departing/docking a J/22 single-handed.
Are you an instructor but not planning to take BKI this year? Join us - knowing the basics of single-handing can be confidence-building and it's great knowledge to have when instructing a group of novices.
We will have a chalk talk on land first followed by on-the-water practice, so dress for the weather! There will be at least two people on each boat for safety and to allow for learning from each other.
You must be a strong skipper with intentions to take the BKI course this spring OR a current DSC instructor to participate in this event. If you've already expressed interest in BKI certification, you should have received a code from Laura to sign up - anyone interested in BKI who didn't receive the code can email laura@downtownsailing.org.
Sewing Basics and Sailrite Machine Orientation
Are you interested in helping with the Canvas Committee this year, but have never used a sewing machine? This hands-on event will teach you the basics of sewing using a Sailrite sewing machine.
We will cover:
This event 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 day of the class with building entry instructions.
If the event is full, please add yourself to the waitlist - we will contact you if a spot opens up!
Coastal Navigation: US Sailing Certification Course
**Feb 10 will be the makeup date if any of the scheduled days are canceled due to weather
NOTE: Every student will require plotting tools for this course. We recommend the Weems & Plath brand as those are the best for accuracy - and accuracy is critical! The tools are available at Weems & Plath, West Marine, Amazon, and elsewhere.
Required tools are:
Optional: TSD circular slide rule
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 Coastal Navigation Student Book and a full-size chart for plotting exercises. Everyone that passes the exam will receive a sticker for your US Sailing log book.
The course takes place over 4 evening sessions, with a 5th evening for the (optional) certification exam.
You will learn the following practical skills:
Determine the Latitude and Longitude of a position.
How to plot a course on a chart, using the true and magnetic compass roses and applying variation and deviation correctly.
Measure distance on a chart with and without a bar scale.
How to plot a Dead Reckoning (DR) course; a course corrected for leeway; a running fix; a fix; a danger bearing; ranges.
How to use published reference material, including the Local Notice to Mariners, Chart #1, a Coast Pilot and Cruising Guide, and a Light List
Determine the height of tide and direction and strength of current at any time or location. Learn how to determine a course to steer given the set and drift of the current.
How to integrate electronic information with traditional navigation techniques.
And more!
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 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 TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THIS COURSE. SPACE IS LIMITED.
Better Navigation With the Navionics App: Hands-On Seminar
This will be a virtual event.
NOTE: Prior to the seminar, you must install the Navionics app onto your smartphone or tablet and have the device on-hand during the seminar. We recommend subscribing to the US and Canada charts in the app ($49.99/year), but this is not required.
Do you want to learn to use your smartphone for navigation on the water? This hands-on seminar will provide you with an overview of the basic features of the Navionics App for smartphones and tablets.
Navionics is a powerful tool to have for trip planning and for navigational use while sailing, but it is important to understand how to use it properly to get the full benefit from the app. You’ll use your device during the seminar to see its practical application.
Some of the topics and features that will be covered in this seminar are:
The class will be virtual. You will receive an email with the link on the day of the course.
The DSC is holding an instructor training and review for all returning and new instructors.
*If you're not currently an instructor but are interested in becoming one, please see job description here and, if you meet the qualifications, email laura@downtownsailing.org for more information.*
Training will begin promptly at 9am, so please plan to arrive a few minutes early to pick up your training materials. There will be a lunch break around noon, and we will wrap up no later than 4pm.
An agenda is forthcoming, and the main topics will be:
The Downtown Sailing Center
1425 Key Highway, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21230(410) 727-0722 • info@downtownsailing.org
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