Our Sailing Navigation Course covers:

Prerequisites: No sailing or prior navigation experience required

Sailing Navigation Course with Practical and Theoretical Training

Embark on a transformative journey with Offshore Sailing School’s comprehensive sailing navigation courses. Designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills for confident navigation in both coastal and offshore environments, our courses are perfect for sailors of all levels, from beginners to seasoned mariners. Whether you choose our Sailing Navigation (Nav1) course or Coastal Navigation (CoNav), Offshore Sailing School empowers you to chart your course with precision and explore the world’s oceans with unwavering assurance.

Who Should Take This Course

Our sailing navigation course is ideally suited for:

• Beginner sailors and boaters seeking a solid foundation in the art of navigation and basic skills in coastal navigation.
  
• Experienced sailors and boaters aiming to refine their navigational strategies and expand their knowledge of electronic navigation, nautical charts, chart symbols, and traditional navigation techniques.
  
• Charterers and boat owners desiring the confidence to navigate vessels independently through coastal waters and open seas with a high degree of accuracy.
  
• Those preparing for exciting coastal sailing or offshore passages who need to master both practical skills and safety precautions.
  
• Students interested in electronic navigation and modern onboard instruments can benefit from our Nav1 (Sailing Navigation) course, which introduces tools commonly found on today’s cruising boats.

How Navigation Skills Enhance Your Sailing Journey

Mastering sailing navigation with Offshore Sailing School elevates your sailing experience by:

• Boost your safety and self-assurance on the water through precise navigational strategies and planning for changing weather conditions.
  
• Opening doors to new destinations in coastal waters with greater peace of mind.
  
• Sharpening your decision-making abilities in challenging situations like heavy weather, ensuring the correct application of navigation principles.
  
• Adding depth and enjoyment to every sailing adventure by enriching your understanding of coastal navigation and traditional navigation techniques through both Nav1 and CoNav courses.

Hands-On and Classroom Instruction for All Skill Levels

Practical Navigation Exercises on the Water

Immerse yourself in hands-on learning with our practical navigation exercises conducted on the water. Reinforce classroom environment concepts through real-world application, gaining invaluable experience and building unwavering confidence in your navigational abilities. Offshore Sailing School ensures you’re not just learning, but doing — with a focus on coastal navigation and practical skills essential for every sailor.

Theory-Based Sessions for Technical Mastery

Our comprehensive theory-based sessions provide a solid understanding of the technical aspects of sailing navigation. Our seasoned instructors guide you through the intricacies of chart reading, plotting, nautical charts, and electronic navigation, ensuring a robust foundation of knowledge.

Students enrolled in the Nav1 course will explore electronic navigation systems, such as GPS and digital charting tools, focusing on the instruments used on modern cruising boats. Those in CoNav will focus on manual chart plotting and traditional paper-based techniques, preparing for longer, hands-on navigation tasks.

We meet rigorous curriculum standards to ensure quality education, whether you’re in a traditional classroom or studying in an online classroom environment.

Learning with Real-World Scenarios and Challenges

Engage with real-world scenarios and challenges that simulate the situations you’ll encounter while sailing. Develop your problem-solving skills and learn to make informed decisions under pressure — essential for navigating coastal sailing routes and beyond. 

Whether using traditional navigation tools (CoNav) or electronic instruments (Nav1), Offshore Sailing School prepares you for anything the sea may throw your way, helping you earn your sailing certifications with a balance of practical experience, theory, and real-world adaptability.

Essential Tools and Equipment Covered in the Course

• Traditional Navigation Tools: Gain proficiency in using traditional navigation tools such as charts, dividers, and parallel rulers to accurately plot courses and determine your position. This is a core focus in the Coastal Navigation (CoNav) course.
• Modern Navigation Technology: Learn to harness the power of modern navigation technology, including GPS, AIS, and chartplotters—covered extensively in the Sailing Navigation (Nav1) course, which emphasizes the use of entry-level electronic navigation tools found on modern cruising boats.
• When and How to Use Each Tool Effectively: Understand the strengths and limitations of both traditional and modern navigation tools, and learn when and how to use each effectively in various scenarios. Students in Nav1 and CoNav will develop confidence in both manual and electronic navigation, enhancing overall seamanship.

Sailing Navigation (Nav1) and Coastal Navigation (CoNav) Courses

Offshore Sailing School offers two navigation learning paths designed for modern sailors:

• Sailing Navigation (Nav1): This is an electronic navigation course focused on entry-level onboard instruments commonly used on today’s cruising boats. Nav1 is perfect for those looking to understand modern navigation systems, digital charting, and GPS-based tools for safe and effective sailing.
  
• Coastal Navigation (CoNav): Our legacy course, CoNav offers hands-on chart training that’s critical for longer navigated trips. This online course emphasizes manual plotting using paper charts, dividers, and parallel rules, and is ideal for students who value deep, traditional skills in coastal navigation.
  

Both courses provide a strong foundation in navigation, each with a distinct emphasis to suit your learning goals, preferred tools, and sailing style.

Enroll in a Sailing Navigation Course Today

Take the helm of your sailing journey with confidence. Our coastal navigation course online and Sailing Navigation (Nav1) options combine expert instruction with flexible learning so you can build essential skills from anywhere. 

Whether you’re preparing for coastal cruising or advancing your certification, start today and chart your course to safer, smarter sailing. Contact us now to speak with a sailing advisor and find the right course for your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level of experience do I need to enroll in a sailing navigation course?

Our courses cater to all levels, from beginners with basic skills and no prior experience to seasoned sailors looking to enhance their navigational strategies. Whether you’re just starting with coastal navigation or aiming to refine traditional navigation techniques, we provide the practical skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

What certifications can I earn through Offshore Sailing School’s navigation courses?

We offer courses that lead to internationally recognized sailing certifications, such as US Sailing credentials. These certifications validate your ability to navigate in coastal waters with a high degree of accuracy, demonstrating mastery in using nautical charts, interpreting chart symbols, and applying safety precautions during various weather conditions, including heavy weather.

What is included in the course fees?

Course fees typically include instruction aligned with rigorous curriculum standards, course materials, access to a classroom environment or online classroom, use of training vessels equipped with modern navigation tools, and certification fees (where applicable). We are committed to delivering quality education in both theoretical and hands-on formats.

What types of vessels are used for on-the-water training?

We utilize a fleet of well-maintained yachts suited for coastal sailing, each equipped with modern tools to practice coastal navigation, nautical charts, and other practical skills in a real-world setting. These vessels provide a safe and effective platform for applying the correct application of navigation concepts learned in the classroom.

Are there any prerequisites for advanced navigation courses?

Some advanced courses may require prior sailing experience or successful completion of an introduction to navigation or basic navigation course. These requirements ensure you’re prepared for the correct application of advanced navigational concepts in challenging weather conditions and coastal waters. Please refer to individual course descriptions for specific prerequisites.

Do you offer online sailing navigation courses?

Yes, Offshore Sailing School offers online classroom options for coastal navigation and other subjects, allowing for flexible, self-paced learning. These courses cover everything from traditional navigation techniques to the use of modern technology, making it easy to pursue quality education from anywhere.

BOOK NOW!

Your Online Sailing Navigation Course packages include:

• US Sailing Coastal Navigation textbook
• Online access to the Coastal Navigation course
• US Sailing Coastal Navigation certification testing
• Course diploma
• Colgate logbook (or page for logbook if you have taken other Offshore Sailing School certification courses)
• Coastal Navigation Certification sticker for logbook sent from US Sailing after course if you pass certification test

BOOK NOW!

This is an online course. You may take it at your leisure.

*Call 888-454-7015 if you have any difficulties accessing the Online Coastal Navigation course through the “Book Now” button on this website.

Offshore Sailing School knows we cannot thrive without great employees and products. All graduates are asked to fill out an evaluation at the end of the course. The following testimonials come from those evaluations and individual correspondence with recent graduates of the Catamaran Live Board Coastal Navigation Course, or shore-based navigation courses. Many are happy to correspond by email or phone with you. If you would like us to put you in touch with anyone below, please call 888-454-7015 or email sail@OffshoreSailing.com.

“Class work was great and I plan on using it on my next sail.”
Sam Hahn – New York, NY

“This is an excellent teaching/learning experience with intensive plotting and chart work. Our instructor was very clear and precise in his explanations, obviously understood the topic, and was very patient with the class.”
Brian Chanatry – Jamesville, NY