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Boating Course

Course Objectives

  This course is designed primarily to meet the needs of boaters who wish to become SAFE boaters. It is aimed primarily at those with boats less than 8m (26 ft) long. Initially, new boaters will probably take only one-day cruises, will run for cover at the first sign of bad weather, and will spend the night ashore, or in some safe harbour. In short, the course is intended to provide elementary instruction in boat handling, for those who wish to know how to operate a boat safely in sheltered water during daylight hours. those who have had considerable experience should be aware that this is the primary objective of the course.

The Boating Course is intended to be neither difficult nor time consuming, but those taking it should be prepared to spend some time doing homework

The following material is supplied:
  • Student Notes (text) and homework book
  • CPS Course Plotter
  • Canadian Coast Guard Safe Boating Guide booklet
  • Canadian Coast Guard Collision Regulations (International Regulations for the Prevention of Collision at Sea, with Canadian Modifications)
  • Training Chart "A"
  • Chart #1 - Symbols and Abbreviations used on Canadian Nautical Charts (booklet)
  • The Canadian Aids to Navigation System booklet

Each student will need to provide dividers, notebook, pencils, and an eraser.

Boating Course Contents

    The following is (approximately) a list of chapter and section headings in the course manual. Capilano Squadron does not follow the order given here, as we like to introduce chart work much earlier than the manual shows.

  1. Characteristics of Boats
    • Boat Types
    • Terminology
    • Construction
    • Propulsion Systems
    •  
  2. Licensing, Registration and Other Requirements
    • Some basic legal requirements (a five minute lecture)
    •  
  3. Mandatory Equipment
    • Life Jackets (Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs))
    • Sound Signaling Devices
    • Lights
    • Distress Flares
    • Other required safety equipment
    •  
  4. Optional Equipment
    • Additional safety and navigation equipment that should be carried, such as
    • Fenders and Dock Lines
    • Engine Spares
    • First Aid Kit
    • Charts and other navigation equipment
    • etc...
    •  
  5. The Magnetic Compass
    • The earth's magnetic field
    • Variation and Deviation (compass errors)
    • Installing the compass
    • Hand Bearing Compasses
    • Steering by compass
    •  
  6. Preparing to Launch
    • Pre-season maintenance, and some around-the-boatyard safety warnings.
    •  
  7. Ropes, Lines and Knots
    • Rope construction
    • Properties of different rope materials
    • Care and Use of Lines
    • Knots
    • Belaying to a cleat
    • Figure Eight Knots
    • Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
    • Reef Knot
    • Double Sheet Bend
    • Bowline
    • Clove Hitch
    • Securing to a dock
    •  
  8. Handling a Boat Under Power
    • Propellers
    • Forward Motion and Steering
    • Stopping and Reversing
    • Undocking
    • Docking
    • Picking Up a Mooring
    •  
  9. Handling a Boat Under Sail
    • Basic sailing theory and terminology
    • Points of Sail
    • Reefing
    • Leeway
    • Steering
    • Docking under sail
    •  
  10. Weather
    • Weather Hazards
    • Weather Forecasts
    • Weather Procedures for Safe Boating
    • Weather Tips
 

 

  1. Skipper's Responsibilities Before Setting Out
    • Knowledge of Local Hazards
    • The Fuel Supply - Refueling Precautions
    • Embarking Passengers
    • Attention to Crew Comfort
    • Drugs and Alcohol
    • File a Trip Plan
    •  
  2. Skipper's Responsibilities When Under Way
    • Trim and Balance
    • Boat Handling
    • Effect of Wash
    • fixing Position
    • Keeping a Good Lookout
    • Keep a log
    • Common Courtesies
    • Flag Etiquette
    •  
  3. Collision Regulations
    • General
    • Under Any Condition of Visibility
    • When Vessels are in Sight of One Another
    • Collision Bearings
    • Power Boats Meeting,Crossing, Overtaking
    • Power Boat and Sailboat Meeting
    • Sailboats Meeting
    • Special Situations
    • Sound Signals
    •  
  4. Canadian Aids to Navigation
    • Lateral Buoys
    • Cardinal Buoys
    • Special Buoys
    • Day beacons
    • Lights
    • Ranges
    • Emergencies
    • Problems that affect the Crew
    • Problems that affect the Boat
    • Deteriorating Weather Conditions
    • distress Signals
    • Rendering Assistance
    •  
  5. Global Positioning and Charts
    • Describing position by Latitude and Longitude
    • Measuring Distance and Direction on a Chart
    • Charts
    • Projections
    • Scale
    • The Title Block
    • Heights and Soundings
    • Symbols and Abbreviations
    • Sailing Directions ("Coast Pilots")
    •  
  6. Navigation
    • Piloting and Conning
    • Chart Reading
    • Correcting and Uncorrecting Compass Readings
    • Lines of Position
    • Fixes
    •  
  7. An Exercise in Conning - Cruise No. 1
    • A classroom exercise to familiarize the student with the chart, and common symbols and abbreviations.
    •  
  8. Introduction to Plotting
    • Terms used in plotting
    • Time, Speed, and Distance Calculations
    • Plotting and Labeling
    • Plotting Instruments
    • Labeling
    • Standards of Accuracy
    • Planning a Cruise
    • Keeping a Log
    •  
  9. Cruising Single-Handed
    • A sample cruise, showing pre-planning techniques to minimize plotting while underway
    •  
  10. Anchors and Anchoring
    • The Holding Power of an Anchor
    • Selecting an Anchor
    • Selecting an Anchorage
    •  
  11. Supplementary Topics
    • Canals and Locks
    • Tides and Tidal Currents
    • Trailering
    • Winter Lay-up
    • Water Skiing
    • Auxiliary Boats
    •  
  12. Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons
    • Some information about CPS

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