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Old 03-14-2011, 12:11 PM   #1
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taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

I am planning to take some "standard/initial boating" courses this spring and have been looking at both the USPS and the CG Aux courses.

Hoping someone on the board might be able to help me choose the one or the other..
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Old 03-14-2011, 12:33 PM   #2
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

My GF and I took the USPS's America's Boating Course course last month.* The course lasted all day Saturday and Sunday.* I chose their course because of it's relative*availability compared to the auxiliary's course.

As an introductory course, the coverage is broad but shallow, but that's good for an introductory course.* There is a lot to cover and constant student attention is required*to absorb the material.* A nice soft-back book covering the material is provided.*

There is a test at the end and a minimum score (was it 80%?)*needs to be achieved to pass the course.* (I*scored 100%.)
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Old 03-14-2011, 12:38 PM   #3
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
markpierce wrote:

My GF and I took the USPS's America's Boating Course course last month.* The course lasted all day Saturday and Sunday.* I chose their course because of it's relative*availability compared to the auxiliary's course.

As an introductory course, the coverage is broad but shallow, but that's good for an introductory course.* There is a lot to cover and constant student attention is required*to absorb the material.* A nice soft-back book covering the material is provided.*

There is a test at the end and a minimum score (was it 80%?)*needs to be achieved to pass the course.* (I*scored 100%.)
Both the USPS and the CGA courses are good.* I recommend joining the USPS and taking advanced grade courses at least through advanced piloting.* The 6 week course for the public was great.* It was shortened to get more of the public at least a little educated.* The 2 day course is not enough.* With boats like you guys have, you need far more advanced courses.

*
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Old 03-14-2011, 12:57 PM   #4
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taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
Moonstruck wrote:

*With boats like you guys have, you need far more advanced courses.

*
I agree.* Still, one should*start at the beginning.

(That two-day course consisted of*about 12 hours of actual instruction.* The instructor/student ratio was 1-to-1, with two instructors and two students.)

*


-- Edited by markpierce on Monday 14th of March 2011 02:00:43 PM
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Old 03-14-2011, 01:54 PM   #5
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
Per wrote:

I am planning to take some "standard/initial boating" courses this spring and have been looking at both the USPS and the CG Aux courses.

Hoping someone on the board might be able to help me choose the one or the other..
Take both and any other you can find.

I don't think you can have to much knowledge.

Be safe.

SD

*
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Old 03-14-2011, 02:29 PM   #6
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

They are both good*and as a side benefit they may help reduce your insurance premiums.
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Old 03-14-2011, 02:35 PM   #7
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
skipperdude wrote:

*
Per wrote:

I am planning to take some "standard/initial boating" courses this spring and have been looking at both the USPS and the CG Aux courses.

Hoping someone on the board might be able to help me choose the one or the other..
Take both and any other you can find.

I don't think you can have to much knowledge.

Be safe.

SD

*

*

well, as you know time does cost money..

leaning a little towards the USGC program called Boating Skills & Seamanship, it seems to do more than just scratch the surface.

*
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Old 03-14-2011, 04:30 PM   #8
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

For basic knowledge, either is great. For ongoing, advanced courses, trust your instincts about the folks administering and teaching the basic class. With both USPS and CGAix, the different local groups have different vibes. You're more likely to continue taking classes with a group of folks you enjoy handing out with. I've had great social and educational experiences with both groups.

Jeff Wolf
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Old 03-14-2011, 08:17 PM   #9
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taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

If you don't have one.**Get a Chapmans. It's a tomb

If you read it cover to cover you could pass the captains exam.

I keep mine at my chair (The old leather lazy boy) and open it to any page and start reading.

I learn something every time I pick it up.

I'm not sure about your comments on time and money. I don't mean to be pejorative but.*You are dealing with an endeavor that could cost the unprepared there life.

The sea is unforgiving especially to mistakes by the ignorant.

Learn all you can. Spend the time and money.

*It's*both well spent.


SD



-- Edited by skipperdude on Monday 14th of March 2011 09:18:40 PM
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Old 03-15-2011, 06:40 AM   #10
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

I agree. Get Chapman's. I'm like the dude. I refer to it regularly.
And the US Power Squadron courses are wonderful. We usually meet lots of nice people and generally have fun but it's serious study too. When I met Chris we decided to get in the boat and go to Juneau. Everybody said well that's it for the relationship but we did fine and are still together. Did'nt speak to her for one whole day on the trip though. That was the first time we went to Alaska together. I like dude's method w Chapman. Open the book at random. I tend to read favorite parts and those parts probably are the parts I know best and the best learning is probably in the parts we know least. Good one dude.

I see you Wolfie. Welcome. I often think we should have pics of ourselves rather than the boats. I'll change my avitar to that end and invite others to do the same. Actually I'd like to see 2 avitars. One on the left of ourselves and one on the right of our boats but I'm sure that's probably not mechanically possible.
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Old 03-15-2011, 06:56 AM   #11
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
nomadwilly wrote:


I see you Wolfie. Welcome. I often think we should have pics of ourselves rather than the boats. I'll change my avitar to that end and invite others to do the same. Actually I'd like to see 2 avitars. One on the left of ourselves and one on the right of our boats but I'm sure that's probably not mechanically possible.
Eric, if I wasn't so ugly, I wouldn't need the boat!

*
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Old 03-15-2011, 07:12 AM   #12
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

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Did'nt speak to her for one whole day on the trip though.
Ypo might ask her.* It may have been the best day she has ever had on the boat.

*
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Old 03-15-2011, 11:00 AM   #13
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taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Well JD it seems you think I talk too much.
If this is a joke please show me the humor.

I know of no issues that we had but at this point this is an issue that we have.
I am not amused.

Respond on PM.

-- Edited by nomadwilly on Tuesday 15th of March 2011 12:02:07 PM
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Old 03-15-2011, 11:05 AM   #14
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
skipperdude wrote:

If you don't have one.**Get a Chapmans. It's a tomb

If you read it cover to cover you could pass the captains exam.

I keep mine at my chair (The old leather lazy boy) and open it to any page and start reading.

I learn something every time I pick it up.

I'm not sure about your comments on time and money. I don't mean to be pejorative but.*You are dealing with an endeavor that could cost the unprepared there life.

The sea is unforgiving especially to mistakes by the ignorant.

Learn all you can. Spend the time and money.

It's*both well spent.


SD



-- Edited by skipperdude on Monday 14th of March 2011 09:18:40 PM
i have Chapmans and read parts of it regularly along with another half dozen boating books but i do want to take some face to face instruction/seminars.

the time/money remark was simply to inform that i do not have the time to take two* somewhat identical courses just for the sake of it.
lets face it, if you are not retired than time is probably difficult to find..
that being said i would never compromise safety.



*
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Old 03-15-2011, 11:37 AM   #15
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

We've taken a few courses with the Power Squadron (Basic Boating and a GPS course); however here is my question. By joining the Squadron are more advanced classes made available to you because you are a member? Also, do they do hands on, in the boat and out to sea type classes???
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Old 03-15-2011, 11:49 AM   #16
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Buy a copy of the Nav Rules
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Old 03-15-2011, 11:51 AM   #17
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
Rocky wrote:

We've taken a few courses with the Power Squadron (Basic Boating and a GPS course); however here is my question. By joining the Squadron are more advanced classes made available to you because you are a member? Also, do they do hands on, in the boat and out to sea type classes???
Rocky, the answer is yes.* The advanced grades will be open to you as well as many periphial courses such as engine maintenance, weather, and many others.* The advanced grades are seamanship, piloting, advanced piloting, Jr. Navigator and Navigator.* The last two are celestial navigation courses.* With all these, you should be prepared to go anywhere in the world.* I recommend to go through at least Advanced Piloting for piloting coastal waters.* This is not a fluff course and will take much study.* You can also demonstrate your boat handling skills and get certification in coastal waters etc.* You can take your choice and go as far as you want with it.

*
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Old 03-15-2011, 12:32 PM   #18
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Thanks for the response Don, I PM'd you with additional question....LOL
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Old 03-15-2011, 12:45 PM   #19
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RE: taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
Per wrote:



i have Chapmans and read parts of it regularly along with another half dozen boating books but i do want to take some face to face instruction/seminars.

the time/money remark was simply to inform that i do not have the time to take two* somewhat identical courses just for the sake of it.
lets face it, if you are not retired than time is probably difficult to find..
that being said i would never compromise safety.



*Per, *I think my comments were more towards someone who knew nothing about boats and boating.

I have been around boats all my life. It is my opinion that doing is the best teacher you will find.

All the book learning in the world will do you know good if you don't know how to translate fact into action.

I had a friend who was a member of MENSA,( a Genius club).
I helped her move once. She had a dozen chickens to move an hours drive.**She packed them in a cardboard moving box. Nedless to say upon arrival we had 12 dead chickens.

My point is just becaus you have the knowledge doesn't mean you have the common sence to put thought into action.

It's all about time spent and water moving under the keel.

Learn the laws but most of all just get out there and go boating.

SD

*
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Old 03-15-2011, 03:27 PM   #20
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taking courses: USPS or CG Aux courses?

Quote:
nomadwilly wrote:

*I'll change my avitar to that end and invite others to do the same.
You have most of us at a disadvantage, Eric.* We aren't all as handsome.



*


-- Edited by markpierce on Tuesday 15th of March 2011 04:29:02 PM
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