Power Squadron Course

R

Rick D

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Oct 15, 2010
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32381
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799
Just finished the instructional portion of my USPS course for boat and PWC tonight. Next week is the exam. I feel confident about passing. Then, in April, I intend to do as much hands on as I can with knowledgeable, experienced captains aboard so I feel confident before I take my two kids on board.

Looking forward to actually getting on the boat.

--Rick
 
Congratulations! Next, take some of the USPS's more advanced courses. The inro class is very basic.....but still good that you took it.
 
Don't rush and take the boat out on a crappy windy April day, wait for a no wind day for your first outing. You won't be as freaked out as you will be with the wind blowing you around.
 
Rick
You'll do fine. Great way to start.
What did you name your boat?
 
Good for you Rick!!!

How old are your kids? It is a good idea to get them involved in boating knowledge and safety as soon as possible. Kids who "tweens" and above can take a course too.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Chesagansett

Congratulations! Next, take some of the USPS's more advanced courses. The inro class is very basic.....but still good that you took it.

Click to expand...
I agree the intro class is great but it doesn't cover charting and planing fuel burn and other important things that to many boaters never learn. Then is to much room for error out on the water.

Glad to here you are taking precautions and taking the time to learn before placing your family at risk. Way to go!
 
Good on you!! Most people just jump in the boat and go and learn their lessons the hard way.

Taking the steps to learn before you go shows character. May hat is off to you, Captain.

Bob
 
What Bob said.

I agree dont rush out on a cold windy day.
 
Thanks all.

I am already signed up for a piloting course,,, which is short, but seems a no brainer as the next course. After that, I hope to find a course that will teach in depth understanding of electronic navigation as well as conventional chart navigation.

Giolic, re the name of the boat.... haven't come up with one yet. I feel the pressure building though... even my wife asked me last night on the way home from the class (she is taking it as well). Tossing a few around in my head but no real strong candidates. Probably be the subject of another thread very soon if I don't come up with one by mid March.

--Rick
 
As a USPS member for the last 20 years, the big thing that we have to offer is education, very cheap education. For those who live in Florida and the east coast you should know of the cost of boating education from a private school, it can be very expensive.

USPS has a new deal going on now that after you take their ABC course (public boating course)and pass you can be a member for free for 6 months.Try it out. We have also started USPS university which is a multitude of seminars about everything from cruise planning to GPS that is taught by your local squadron open to the public. Go to USPS.org //////// to find out more. There could be a squadron near you.....

Rick .....when you pass your course make sure you turn this into your insurance agent for a nice discount. USPS also as their own boating insurance for it's members too.

In the last 10 years or so USPS has be killed by member loss. We are all getting old and dying off. To attact a younger boating is tuff so they are going all out to attact the younger boater. They are pulling out all the stops to attact new members!

So become a USPS member and keep your boating education going. You can get into teaching or even become a Vessel Safety Inspector if you like or doing nothing at all but take a class or two every once in a while. As our new motto says, "Boating is fun..and we will show you how".

Roger
 
Rick:

In keeping with the BE tradition of helping other boaters I recommend that you not name the boat as one former BE member did.

boat_named_lard_ass_after_his_wife.jpg
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

Rick:

In keeping with the BE tradition of helping other boaters I recommend that you not name the boat as one former BE member did.

Click to expand...


Along those lines, my wife has suggested "Rick's Folly". That was before she was into it... now she's excited and is counting down the days until spring.

--Rick
 
Make sure you let your insurance company know about your succesful course completion as most offer discounts for this.
 
Johnathan I remeber my first boat and going out on a windy day, I was wondering why no one was on the water till I came back and tried to dock not fun.
 
Over the years, I've taken...
Seamanship
Engine maintainance
Piloting
Electronics

All worthwhile
 
quote:
Originally posted by winters remedy

Johnathan I remeber my first boat and going out on a windy day, I was wondering why no one was on the water till I came back and tried to dock not fun.

Click to expand...


New boat, best intentions, never works out great when its windy the docks are rocking and no one around to help out.
 
My experience has been somewhat different.... when no one is around to help is when I do best. Give me some spectators and a 15 knot cross-breeze and the whole game is different!
 
OK...leaving in a few minutes to take the exam... 10 state specific, 10 PWC specific and 50 general boating questions. I'm ready... bring it on!

--Rick
 
I've been a power squadron member for four years great organization! I have taken the basic boating course seamanship, piloting electronics and weather. The piloting course is very good. Don't underestimate it. It has a take home test that takes several hours to complete. Neatness counts!
Good luck to you,
 
I'm sure you will do fine. I have taken this test several times the last two times I got a 100%. I would probably fail if I had to take it today:)
 
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