Member Classes

A variety of courses are offered by the Lake Candlewood Power Squadron to our members.

USPS educational programs have been described as the best place to learn marine and boating for the recreational boater.  Each of the courses described below are continually reviewed and upgraded as new technology and skillsets are developed.
On these pages you will find a brief description of each of the courses available to members.
By the way did you know, the premise behind the USPS Boat Insurance Program is to reward members for their dedication and passion for on-the-water safety by providing reduced insurance premiums.  On top of low base rates, USPS Boat Insurance customers can reduce their premium even further, up to 23%, through completion of various USPS advanced courses.  Completing boat operator certification can also add to these discounts as well!
Anyone who may be interested in furthering their boating education should contact our Squadron Education Officer listed.
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Class Description Schedule
First Advanced Grade Course - Seamanship: Cost: $0

Five Advanced Grade Courses are offered by USPS.  They are designed to be taken in sequence because each builds on skills taught in the previous course.

Seamanship covers basic deck seamanship, marlinspike (knots and ropes), anchoring and rafting, basic boat care and maintenance, and nautical and USPS customs and etiquette.

Location: TBD
Date and Time:
Register for this class
Second Advanced Grade Course - Piloting: Cost: $0

Piloting is the first and most basic navigation course, covering chart reading, course plotting, and basic coastal or inland navigation, including basic GPS usage. This course goes into more detail than the charting information covered in the public courses.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
Third Advanced Grade Course - Advanced Piloting: Cost: $90

Advanced Piloting covers more advanced coastal navigation techniques, navigation in tides and currents, and more advanced GPS usage.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
Fourth Advanced Grade Course - Junior Navigation: Cost: $50

Junior Navigation teaches the basics of offshore navigation, including basic celestial navigation using the sun and offshore course planning.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
Fifth Advanced Grade Course - Navigation: Cost: $110

Navigation is the most advanced navigation course taught by USPS, covering more advanced celestial navigation techniques, emergency navigation, and additional sight reduction techniques.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
Elective Course - Engine Maintenance: Cost: Manual $39

Elective Courses in six area are offered by USPS. They cover separate and independent topics and therefore may be taken in any order according to a person's interests and time.

Engine Maintenance covers the operating principles and basic care and maintenance of outboard and inboard engines, including diesels.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
Elective Course - Marine Electrical Systems: Cost: Manual $39

Marine Electrical Systems covers the practice of wiring your boat, including boat electrical wiring practices and diagrams, DC and AC power, galvanic and stray current corrosion, and lightning protection.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
Elective Course - Weather: Cost: Manual $48

Weather covers weather systems, patterns and forecasting.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
Elective Course - Sail: Cost: Manual $39

Sail covers everything from the basic elements of how a sailboat works to sail trim, rig tuning, and sailboat racing.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
Elective Course - Instructor Development: Cost: $0

Instructor Development teaches effective communication skills for not only USPS instructors but everyone, covering various methods of presenting information to others, effective use of audiovisual aids (including PowerPoint), etc.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD
Register for this class
USPS University - Seminar Series: Cost: Varies $15 to $136

USPS University is here with new programs targeted to a range of boaters and types of boating.  The hallmark of this concept is the Seminar Series. These short seminars are targeted to specific topics and needs with a two-hour format, and valuable take-away guides. Each seminar provides credits toward the Boat Operator Certification program, and credit toward elective courses. 

These seminars are available now:

Advanced Powerboat Handling  Basic Coastal Navigation 

Anchoring  Basic Weather and Forecasting

Boat Handling under Power  Emergencies on Board

Boating on Rivers, Locks and Lakes   Fuel and Boating

Marine RADAR  How to Use a Chart 

Hurricanes and Boats  Knots, Bends and Hitches

Mariner's Compass  Mastering the Rules of the Road

Paddle Smart  Partner in Command

Practical On The Water Training  Sail Trim and Rig Tuning

Tides and Currents   Trailering Your Boat Using GPS

Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio

Several more seminars are nearing completion and will be available soon, such as Knots for Mariners, Using Digital Charts, and Heavy Weather Sailing.

Location:
Date and Time: TBD