In case you found this page and are NOT yet a member of the United States Power Squadrons®, you'll want to have some information about various boating courses that you can take in your own local area. Then, set your course for EDUCATION!

If you ARE a member, you'll want to take advantage of all the opportunities for boater education available to you through your Squadron. Here is a description of the courses offered by most, but be sure and check with your Squadron Education Officer for additional local course offerings.

Most courses run from 8 to 12 weeks, one evening per week. Only a few of the advanced topics have prerequisite courses. All the rest are available to you as soon as you joined USPS, and whenever scheduled by your local Squadron.

The first five courses described below comprise a series called "Advanced Grades", and should be taken in the order listed. The next six are "Elective Courses", and may be taken in any order.

SEAMANSHIP covers basic knowledge every prudent skipper wants even before leaving port - practical marlinspike, hull design and performance, boat care, skipper's responsibilities, boating under normal and abnormal conditions, emergencies afloat, and more.

PILOTING introduces youi to the critical study of marine charts, aids to navigation, adjustment and use of the mariner's compass, dead reckoning, planning and plotting courses, and taking bearings.

ADVANCED PILOTING builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach you how to navigate in coastal waters, predict tides and tidal currents, navigate safely with radar, loran C, and GPS, and optimize course planning.

JUNIOR NAVIGATION begins your study of offshore navigation. Learn to use integrated electronic positions systems, sight taking for celestial navigation with a sextant, and positioning and passage planning with special open-ocean charts.

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.

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, and boat security.

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 outboards, inboards, and diesel engines, power-trains, and related mechanical problems.

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

MARINE ELECTRONICS offers you essential information about boat electrical and electronic systems in non-engineering terms. Learn about proper wiring and power systems, corrosion and electrolysis, and electronic navigation and safety systems.

SAIL guides you through the special terminology and dynamics of sailing, hulls and rigging, wind and water forces and balance, points of sail, sail handling, and navigation rules unique to sailing.

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.

USPS LEARNING GUIDES are self-study handbooks on a variety of specialized boating-related subjects of interest to amateur skippers and navigators. Topics range from GPS to Knots, Bends and Hitches, from Amateur Radio to Oceanography, from Boat Design and Construction to Predicted Log Contests. USPS currently offers more than 20 different Learning Guides to its members.

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