BOATING CLASS SIGN UP
and SPRING SAILING CLASS OFFERED
Ask yourself this - Why does a powerboat have its helm on the starboard side and why does a car have its helm on the port side? If you don't know the answer to this you really don't know the nautical rules of the road. Do you know why certain markers are half-red and half-green? Is there a difference if the top half is red or if the top half is green? As a sailor, do you have the right of way over all power and commercial fishing boats? Know the answers?
Twice a year, the Gainesville Sail and Power Squadron and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offer an introduction to boating class. This year, they are also introducing a beginning navigation class along with a free USCG boat inspection. The class starts on September 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Gainesville High School. It meets twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and runs through October.
The introduction to boating class starts off with learning to tie five very useful boating knots. It then moves in to the legal requirement of boating, Florida boating laws, rules of the road, aids to navigation, about anchoring, basic docking under various wind conditions, how to use a VHF radio and lots of other boating stuff. The navigation section introduces basic plotting, 60DST, how to estimate you position in coastal waterways, how to read a chart and how to chart a course.
Keep in mind there is a big financial advantage in taking this class. Almost every boat insurance company will give you an annual discount of 10% off your insurance bill for taking this class. That can add up after ten years or so. Call your insurance company to see if you qualify.
Also, this spring, GAYC, along with the Gainesville Sail and Power Squadron, will be offering a great two-part introduction to sailing class. The class is expected to cost around $40.00 or so. Topics include:
Please note - if you want to take the spring sailing class, you must take America's Boating Course as a prerequisite or have taken an equivalent class from ASA, USPS, USCGA or other recognized organization. It will be assumed you know the basic boating material, as it will not be covered in the sailing class.
The boating class is offered through Santa Fe Community College's Community Education program. You can register by calling 395-5193, or log on to their web site at www.mysfcc.com and select Community Education Recreation and Sports, or register the first night of class. SFCC charges $18.00 for class registration, janitor services and electricity. You will need two textbooks, America's Boating Course with CD-ROM and Chart Smart. Both books can be purchased the first night of class. Chart Smart will cost $20.00 and America's Boating Course will cost $35.00. You may take one or both sections.
If you have any questions, call Jib Davidson at 375-1473 or email him at jib@columbiatimber.com. Jib can email you a class syllabus. You can also speak with Michele Isaacson, Teresa Davidson or Larry Schnell, as they know about the classes.