Course Description:  This 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.

Duration: 15 weeks

Course Description:  The Maintenance course will expand the average boat-owner's knowledge of vessel maintenance.

Course content: Seasonal maintenance and repairs to wooden, fibreglass 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.

Duration: 12 weeks

Course Description:  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 Description:  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 sailers and keelboats). Fire safety and sailboat racing are included as additional information.

Course Description:  This new introductory weather course, first published Sep. 2000, is designed for the coastal and Great Lakes mariner.

The course consists of seven chapters: 

• How the Sun causes Weather: deals mainly with the atmosphere.
• What Causes the Wind to Blow: explains atmospheric pressure. 
• Water in the Atmosphere: covers the various forms of precipitation and fog. 
• Clouds - Signposts of the Skies: includes the most common types and how they develop. 
• Fronts and Frontal Weather: what they are and the weather that is associated with them.
• Thunderstorms and Tornadoes: this section also covers stability and instability
•  Forecasting the Weather

Course Description:  This mini-course will introduce the recreational boater to the theory of 
Navigation using a GPS receiver.

Course content:   Valley Squadron teaches this as a two part course.  Part One will introduce you to the theory of GPS, its benefits and its limitations.  Part Two is a hands on session where you will learn how to enter data into your own GPS receiver and how to create waypoints and routes.