Coastal Navigation Courses

These courses will give you the theory necessary to successfully navigate in unfamiliar waters. There are two course standards: 

Basic Coastal Navigation Standard
Required for the Sail Canada "Intermediate Cruising Standard" 

Intermediate Coastal Navigation Standard
Required for the Sail Canada "Advanced Cruising Standard"

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Format
Home study

Sail Canada Certification
Basic Coastal Navigation Standard
​Intermediate Coastal Navigation Standard

Prerequisites
Basic Navigation: No prerequisite required
Intermediate  Navigation:  Basic Navigation required

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Coastal Navigation - Course description

Basic or Intermediate  Coastal Navigation courses should be completed within three months of receiving the materials. Local students can arrange a time  to write the exam during office hours, included in the course fee.  After three months, or outside of office hours,  an exam sitting fee will be applied.  Students taking the course from out of town may use a proctor  or invigilator to receive, administer and return the exam to the school.
This could be a co-worker or acquaintance that is neither a family member nor housemate . Libraries & schools sometimes offer this service as well.

You can also register for a half day classroom Coastal Navigation Workshop. This course is ideal for students enrolled in homestudy courses or experienced students wanting a refresher in chart work, aids to navigation, and plotting techniques. 

Coastal Navigation - course details

​Basic Coastal Navigation Homestudy
The curriculum covers the role of the navigator and introduces the publications, aids to navigation, tools and techniques that support planning and safe passage making. The student is exposed to basic plotting and position determination methods. This course covers information key to the effective use of electronics.
After successful completion, continue on to complete the Intermediate Coastal Navigation. ​
Three month time limit. 

Intermediate Coastal Navigation
Homestudy
The curriculum focus is on near shore navigation and covers position determination methods using non-electronic means as well as methods for dealing with current and leeway. The course also covers the determination of intermediate tidal heights and introduces the student to the basics of passage planning and to the impact that the Collision Regulations may have on navigational practice.
Three month time limit. 

Coastal Navigation Workshop
Chart work and how to use plotting tools
Plot  latitude and longitude, lay off a course,  dead reckoning, and measure distance and variation. Review Aids to Navigation. Pilotage exercise using danger bearing. 

Bring your own charts & plotting tools,
and  questions about Coastal Navigation. 

Basic course includes
Basic Coastal Navigation  textbook,
Chart 3463 (Strait of Georgia, Southern Portion),  plotting tools (parallel ruler & dividers), access to instructor, exam review,
​Sail Canada exam & certification fees.

Intermediate course  includes
Intermediate Coastal Navigation textbook,  square plotter, access to  instructor, exam reviews, Sail Canada exam & certification fees. Chart, parallel rules, and dividers are not provided. The same chart is used for both Basic and intermediate.


Sailing course information to Download 

Workshop  includes
Classroom instruction
 Granville Island
9 AM to 1 PM

Basic Homestudy Cost
New Student $449
Discount* $399

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Intermediate Homestudy Cost
New Student $199
​Discount* $179

Workshop Cost
Four hours in classroom 
New Student $95
Homestudy Student $65

​5% GST will be added during registration
*Discount rate for returning clients with a full basic or intermediate course 

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​Please read our 'Terms and Conditions'
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