The Hamilton Power & Sail Squadron is pleased to offer the following courses.

Please note that courses are offered at the discretion of the Squadron and require a minimum of 8 enrollees.

For the course schedule, please go to the Schedule page.

Boating: Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons' premier course for the recreational boater. Whether you are interested in power or sail this course is for you. It contains expanded, detailed boating-safety information. As well, the challenge of plotting and navigation skills, and the interaction with other boaters all await you in this exciting course. Successful completion of an "accredited" examination at the end of certain sections will allow you to achieve operator competency and a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), as well as an offer of CPS Associate Membership. Successful completion of the examination(s) at the end of the entire course will provide you with the opportunity of Regular Membership and all its associated benefits outlined on the Who We Are page. A CPS membership qualifies you to take the advanced courses as well. The course kit includes Student Notes; Homework Folder; one Training Chart "A"; Chart No. 1; Collision Regulations; Government Publications; and a CPS Course Plotter. Course duration 12 weeks.

Advanced Courses -- restricted to CPS Members that have passed the CPS Boating Course

The new full colour Seamanship Course builds on some of the techniques introduced in the Boating Course.

Seamanship uses traditional navigation, GPS fixes, Way Points, along with the introduction of Deviation, in the three homework cruises, and the examination take home cruises.

This course offers: interpretation of charts, the DR plot, bearings, fixes, running fixes, and Collision Regulations; and the exciting concept of plotting and labeling in True and Magnetic, adopted by the Training Department.

Seamanship, explains the skills needed to understand the hazards of weather, wind, waves, tides, and tidal currents and how to deal with them.

Advanced Piloting: Prerequisite: Seamanship. You will learn advanced coastal navigation principles to enable you to know, at all times, where you are. The vessel's position can be determined by using landmarks and aids to navigation - allowing for current, leeway, tides and tidal currents. Course content: Become familiar with charts; the compass; steering and timing a course; tides and tidal currents; effects of current and leeway; methods of determining position; Running Fixes; aids to navigation; electronic navigational aids, and the sextant. Course kit includes Student Notes; Homework Folder; AP Training Chart; Chart No. 1; D.O.T. Tides in Canadian Waters. Duration: 16 weeks.

Celestial Navigation: Prerequisite: Advanced Piloting. This course combines the original works of Junior Navigator and Navigator and applies the sciences of cartography and astronomy to set a course and determine a position at sea. Emphasis is placed on "how" to navigate and, with basic math and calculator skills, the student will have little difficulty. For proper study, the student will require the use of Bowditch, current-year Nautical Almanac and Star Finder (these items must be ordered separately). The student will also require a scientific handheld calculator with trigonometric capability. Course content: Use of the sextant, electronic navigation, the Nautical Almanac, sight reduction by formula and scientific calculator, the Pilot and Great Circle charts and much, much more. Course kit includes: Student notes, homework folder, forms, sight reduction table, dip short tables and necessary charts. Duration: 16 weeks.

Elective Courses -- Prerequisite: Boating

Marine Electronics: This 15 week course is aimed at the boater who wants to take advantage of modern electronic devices for safety afloat and navigation. Course content: Electricity; DC and AC systems; wiring; galvanic and stray-current corrosion, and electrical interference. Lightning protection and the marine radiotelephone are also detailed. Electronics such as the depth sounder, RADAR, LORAN-C, satellite systems and auxiliary equipment are explored, and can be taken as separate seminars. Course kit includes Student Notes and Homework Folder.

Marine Maintenance: This 12 week course will expand the average boat owner's knowledge of vessel maintenance. Course content: Seasonal maintenance and repairs to wooden, fiberglass and metal hulls are stressed. Sections are devoted to maintenance for electrical and mechanical systems; spars, rigging and ground tackle; fire and safety protection; moorings and berths; trailers; tools and fittings. Course kit includes Student Notes and Homework Folder.

Seamanship Sail: This introductory course will teach some of the basic sailing techniques for safe operation under various conditions, and will encourage the participant to become a more competent sailor. Course content: Spars and rigging; sails and theory of sail action; sailboat handling; pilot and cruising under sail (day sailors and keelboats). Fire safety and sailboat racing are included as additional information. Course Kit includes Student Notes, Homework Folder, and Collision Regulations. Duration 12 weeks.

Seamanship Power: This course expands upon the Boating Course to provide the knowledge necessary to become a safe and proficient operator of a power-driven vessel. Course content: Power trains, engine controls and instruments; handling and cruising under power; mooring and anchoring; legal responsibilities; engine and trouble diagnosis; fuels and fuel systems; electrical systems; cooling and lubrication; maintenance and fire safety. Course Kit includes Student Notes, Homework Folder, Training Chart "A", and Collision Regulations. Duration 12 weeks.

Fundamentals of Weather: This course will enable a boater to anticipate adverse forecasts, by gathering pertinent information and interpreting weather signs. Course content: Atmosphere, clouds, pressure, wind, temperature and moisture, stability and instability, air masses, frontal weather, precipitation and fog, general circulation, tropical hurricanes and wave theory, forecasting the weather. Course Kit includes Student Notes, Homework Folder, Mapping Weather and Cloud Chart. Duration 12 weeks.

GPS/Loran C: This three night seminar covers the theory and operation of GPS and Loran C. Satellites, land stations, time differences, etc., are covered along with a practical appreciation of the operation of GPS and Loran C equipment.

VHF Radio: A three night course covering the regulations and operating requirements for a Radiotelephone Operator's Restricted Certificate. A small test at the end of the third night will qualify the owner as a lifetime Marine (Voluntary) radio operator. Module 2 covers Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS).

Boating Refresher Course-- Available to all HPS Members

Boating Course graduates who wish to be brought up to date on the latest changes in the Pleasure Craft Regulations, Mandatory and optional safety equipment. Also a review of such topics as emergency procedures, docking, undocking anchoring techniques, mooring lines & knots. There is no cost to HPS members.

If you believe that boating knowledge is the basis of a fun and an accident-free summer on the water, please contact us. Our aim is to teach you how to operate your boat competently in a variety of situations.