This live-aboard course follows the Basic Cruising standard in the Sail Canada keelboat and cruising training system. Students will participate in the operation of the vessel as crew and as skipper. The vessel will be operated under sail and power while making daytime passages. The ability to act as skipper and crew in the operation of a sailing vessel by day in unfamiliar waters will be developed, while building the skills and experience needed for live-aboard cruises and bareboat charters.

More details on Sail Canada Intermediate Cruising Standard: 

https://www.sailing.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Intermediate-Cruise-April-5-2022.pdf

Prerequisites:

• License and certificates: PCOC, Basic Cruising Standard, VHF with DSC endorsement, Basic Coastal Navigation

• Completed Intermediate theory course

• Experience as skipper 

• Ability to consistently demonstrate the skills learned in the Basic Cruising Standard and Basic Coastal Navigation Standard

Upon Completion: Sail Canada Certificate

Instructor: Oleg Nakarikov, Sail Canada Certified Instructor, RYA Yachtmaster Ocean.

Course Options:

• 7 Days living aboard: Theory (online) with written exam

• Challenge: Minimum 48-hour live-aboard skill evaluation with written exam

School Boats:

• Hunter 33 on Lake Simcoe (May to October)

• Dufour 43 GL in the Caribbean (November to April)

• Student's Own Boat 

Schedule:

1. Theory: Provided by online materials
   Theory Exam: Every second week of the month

2. Practice: Caribbeans (November to April) by booking 7days living aboard

Practice Covers:

• Sail selection and use of the jib cars and mainsheet traveler controls to adjust sail shape for efficient propulsion and balance in the conditions encountered

• Practice and develop skills maneuvering the vessel under power for mooring pickup and achieving various goals

• Anchoring strategies and enhanced docking and dock departure techniques and procedures

• Basic navigation skills including elementary pilotage and passage planning

• Non-electronic position determination methods and basic use of satellite positioning systems

• Practical knowledge of the use and management of vessel systems while cruising

• Provisioning and preparation of meals by students; candidates should make a plan to get provisions in advance

• The results of the pre-departure assignments will be part of the final practical evaluation

Items to Address:

• Crew ability and links (see the initial assignment)

• Crew involvement

• Weather expectations

• Anchorages, characteristics, concerns, reason for anchorage

• Customs port

• Accurate plotted headings, ETAs, navigational safety concerns, currents, expected wind (direction & strength)

• Position, accuracy, log

• Any sailing directions or cruising guides available

• Practicality

• Factor in a minimum of 2 hours per day of training maneuvers (one doesn’t learn much on a 5-hour single tack to a distant island)

• Use of resources

Provisioning:The Intermediate Course includes provisioning and preparation of meals by students. Candidates should make a plan to get provisions in advance.