Seamanship -8 weeks

First in our series of classes, Seamanship helps to get the captain and crew ready for that: First trip to the San Juan's, an extended cruise on the Columbia or just a safe day of fishing, by building a foundation of confidence and competence for safe and enjoyable boating. The course promotes an understanding of how boats behave under various conditions including close quarters and open water operations. It extends the knowledge and skills of the boater in handling and maneuvering a vessel, either sail or power, inboard, outboard or IO. There will be discussions of rules of the road in most class sessions, so that students will be confident in their understanding of the topic. There are also discussions of anchoring, emergencies, and basic knots. Appendices to the text include information on regulation and procedural differences in Canada and Mexico.

Cost: Members $47 Non-Members $147
Class Start Date- Jan 28, 2013 at 7PM -To Pre-Register click here or if you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here.
Location: Cascades Presbyterian Church, 9503 NE 86th St., Vancouver, WA 98662 Mape

This hands on course teaches the basics of navigation. Learn how to pre plan a safe course, and how to monitor progress while underway using position estimates based on dead reckoning and fixes based on bearings or GPS information. These skills are essential for anyone that is serious about safely navigating coastal areas. Students will further their understanding of charts, aids to navigation, hand bearing compasses, and the mariners compass. Introduces the concept of “Seaman’s Eye” – simple skills for checking that one is on course. Expands the usefulness of the depth sounder to make it a navigation tool. As an introduction to electronic charting, students will receive a complimentary student copy of the RosePoint Coastal Explorer electronic charting program. Students completing the course will understand how to use a hand held GPS for safe navigation, and will be prepared to take charge if the GPS fails. Expect home work and a final exam.

Cost: Members $96 Non-Members $196
Class Start Date- Feb. 28, 2013 at 7PM -   To Pre-Register click here or if you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here.
Location: Columbia Crossings Marina Building 2 - 855 NE Tomahawk Island Drive
Portland OR 97217 MAP
It's the last building on Tomahawk Island Drive, going east, just inside the gate. park in the lot just outside the gate and walk in.
Contact Fred Taylor 503-887-1160

Advanced Piloting is the second in the sequence of USPS courses on navigation. It continues to build coastal and inland navigation skill, allowing the student to take on more challenging conditions – unfamiliar waters, limited visibility, and extended cruises. GPS is embraced as a primary navigation tool while adding radar, chartplotters, and other electronic navigation devices. As with Piloting, the course includes in-class exercises, advancing the student’s skills through hands-on practice and learning. Ten classes of two hours each normally are scheduled for presentation of this course. In addition the students have seven days to complete the open book exam. Topics covered include:

Review of skills learned in Piloting

• Advanced positioning techniques such as running fixes
  
• Other electronics: radar, depth sounders,
• chartplotters, laptop computer software, etc.
  
• Hazard avoidance techniques using electronics (e.g., “danger zones" in GPS)
  
• Collision avoidance using radar and GPS
  
• Working with tides: clearances, depth, effects of current
  
• Piloting with wind and currents
  
  Cost: Members $65 Non-Members $165
  Class Start Date-April 9, 2013 at 7PM - To Pre-Register click here or if you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here.
  Location: Columbia Crossings Marina Building 2 - 855 NE Tomahawk Island Drive
  Portland OR 97217 MAP
  It's the last building on Tomahawk Island Drive, going east, just inside the gate. park in the lot just outside the gate and walk in.
• Note
• Deduct $18 if student has a copy of Weekend Navigator, add $15 if student needs plotting tools.

JUNIOR NAVIGATION begins your study of offshore navigation. Learn to use integrated
electronic positioning systems, sight taking on celestial bodies with a mariner’s sextant, and positioning & passage planning with special open-ocean charts. This is a new format and a much less complex presentation of the material.... it is way more FUN AND INTERESTING now.

Cost: Members $70 Non-Members $170
Class Start-Classes are scheduled when we have two or more students interested in taking the class.  If you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here.
Location: Columbia Crossings Marina Building 2 - 855 NE Tomahawk Island Drive
Portland OR 97217 MAP -
It's the last building on Tomahawk Island Drive, going east, just inside the gate. park in the lot just outside the gate and walk in.

NAVIGATION further develops your understanding of celestial navigation theory and your skills in sight taking and reduction. Also learn to navigate with only minimal survival gear in the event of a disabling boat accident.This is a new format and a much less complex presentation of the material.... it is way more FUN AND INTERESTING now.

Cost: Members $120 Non-Members $220
Class Start-June 2013Classes are scheduled when we have two or more students interested in taking the class.   If you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here
Location: Columbia Crossings Marina Building 2 - 855 NE Tomahawk Island Drive
Portland OR 97217 MAP -
It's the last building on Tomahawk Island Drive, going east, just inside the gate. park in the lot just outside the gate and walk in.

Cruise Planning - 9 weeks

CRUISE PLANNING helps you prepare for voyaging afloat – whether just week-ending or
multi-month cruising. Learn essentials about equipping and provisioning your boat, crew selection, financing your trip, entering and clearing foreign ports, emergencies afloat, & boat security.

Class Start Date-Classes are scheduled only when there is a sufficient number of students interested to take the class.  If you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here
Location:

EM-Engine Maintenance -11 weeks

ENGINE MAINTENANCE- won’t make you an expert mechanic, but it will enable you to trouble-shoot most common engine problems and jury-rig many repairs. Covers outboard motors, inboard gas and diesel engines, power trains, and related mechanical systems.

Cost: Members $45 Non-Members $145
Class Start Date - Feb 6, 2013 at 6PM - To Pre-Register click here Classes are scheduled only when there is a sufficient number of students interested to take the class. If you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here
Location: Royal Marine Yacht Sales, 50 NE Tomahawk Island Drive,
Portland OR 97217 MAP

WX-Weather -11 weeks

WEATHER teaches you the basic structure and characteristics of our atmosphere, how to interpret weather maps and reports, and how to make your own skilled observations – all keyed to helping you predict and anticipate weather developments affecting your boating.

Class Start Date-Classes are scheduled only when there is a sufficient number of students interested to take the class.  If you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here
Location: Columbia Crossings Marina Building 2 - 855 NE Tomahawk Island Drive
Portland OR 97217 MAP
It's the last building on Tomahawk Island Drive, going east, just inside the gate. park in the lot just outside the gate and walk in.

ID - Instructor Development - 6 weeks

INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT provides you with practical techniques and training in making effective presentations – whether as a teacher, meeting chair, public speaker, or everyday conversationalist.

Class Start Date -- If you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here
Location:

Operations Training (One Day Free Class)

Operations Training will teach you the history of the United States Power Squadron, it's procedures and traditions.

Class Start Date- If you are interested in taking the next class please fill out the Interest Form by clicking here
Location: