Most students take about six weeks to complete the course.

It takes about 6 hours to read the course material. The exercises at the end of each section, and the practice cruise take about another 8 hours to complete. Add four hours for review and study for a total of 18 hours. At 3 hours a week, this works out to 6 weeks.

Of course, one of the big advantages of an e-learning program like coastalnavigation.com is that you can work through the material at your own pace. It's important that you progress at a speed which allows you to understand and practice what you're learning, while retaining the material you've covered earlier. Too fast and you may not acquire the necessary skills. Too slow and you may have trouble remembering what you've learned.

You can register as a student by e-mail or by calling a toll-free phone number. The registration fee can be paid by Visa or Mastercard. Click below to see more information on how to register.

[How to Register - American Edition]
[How to Register - Canadian Edition]

When you register as a student, a user name and password is sent to you by e-mail. These allow you access to the course material. All you need is a computer, a printer, an Internet connection, an e-mail account, and an up-to-date browser. Chrome is recommended.

This course teaches you the theory and practical skills needed to safely navigate a sailing or power cruiser in coastal or inland waters.

You learn how to read a nautical chart, plan and plot your course, determine your position, understand tide and current tables, and much more. See the Table of Contents for a complete outline of the course contents.

[Table of Contents - American Edition]
[Table of Contents - Canadian Edition]

When you register as a student you're assigned a coastalnavigation.com instructor. Your instructor has many years of teaching and boating experience.

You can get prompt e-mail assistance from your instructor whenever you need it.

[Meet the Instructors - American Edition]
[Meet the Instructors - Canadian Edition]

You are provided with all the materials needed to complete the course, except for a sharp pencil with a good eraser. These materials are sent to you by post or courier when you register.

A course plotter is a type of ruler that allows you to plot a line on a chart in a specific direction, or find the direction of a line or between objects. The course plotter your receive is made of durable acrylic.

An official nautical training chart (a nautical map) is provided for plotting exercises.

You might want a set of dividers. We recommend you go to Amazon:  6” Navigation Compass Divider with Steel Needle Points
Learners can always measure distances using the rulers on the plotter.

This course teaches you how to navigate in coastal and inland waters, the conditions in which you're most likely to be cruising aboard a chartered sailboat or powerboat.

As well, proof that you're taken this course and/or achieved the Sail Canada or ASA navigation standard can help you demonstrate to charter operators that you have the experience and knowledge needed to get a boat back safely and intact.

Sail Canada is the national governing body for yachting in Canada. Its training division is responsible for all training programs offered by Sail Canada, including dingy, cruising (including coastal navigation), windsurfing, and certification of judges and race officers.

coastalnavigation.com follows the curriculum of Sail Canada, and you can achieve the Sail Canada Basic Coastal Navigation Standard upon successful completion of the exam. This Standard is recognized worldwide.

The Basic Coastal Navigation Standard comprises 16 learning objectives. Reference is made to each objective as it is covered in the course material.

Our course goes beyond the basics to cover important topics you'll need to be a successful and safe navigator. Find out more.

There are no prerequisites for either this course, the Sail Canada Basic Coastal Navigation Standard, nor the ASA Coastal Navigation Standard.

Ideally you should have some experience at the helm of a power or sailboat. However, some students have never stepped aboard a boat and have successfully completed the course. You need only know basic arithmetic and have a willingness to learn.

When you've completed the course, contact your instructor. He or she will send you your signed certificate of completion.