At C-MASTERS, we have created a selection of 'must do' courses. After several years of providing training we know which topics and skills are considered complex by students. Most of these topics are covered in the RYA shorebased courses and in practical courses. However, a more intensive training is needed to become a confident skipper.
Electronic navigation aids such as radar have undergone a rapid technical evolution in the past years. Their functionality has become excellent and the user friendliness has improved dramatically. Nevertheless, it's not about how colourful and nice a radar screen looks. It's all about you getting the relevant information out of it, and knowing how to interpret it when at sea. A radar is still one of the most important tools on board for position finding and collision avoidance in difficult situations.
This course is a 'must do' for skippers and navigators who wish to learn using a radar as an aid for fixing positions and assessing situations avoiding risk of collision.
MASTERCLASS: Practical Radar use
Course content
During this course you will learn how to operate a radar system, and convert the available information on the screen to real-time situations. Two versions of the course are available. The short (one day) version is ideal if you already have a good theoretical knowledge of the principal working of radar systems on board of yachts. The longer (two day) version is a combined theoretical and practical course, recommended if a radar is still relatively new to you.
The two-day course includes working with radar during some night sailing.
One-Day Practical use of Radar course
- Switching on and setting up the radar system
- Tuning to get the best possible image
- Identifying objects on the radar screen (boats, buoys, land)
- Position fixing and navigating using a radar
- Entering a harbour using a radar only
Two-Day Practical use of Radar course
The content of the one-day course listed above, plus:
- Theory course on principals of radar and operating a radar systems
- Radar plotting for collision avoidance
- Practice navigating at night using a radar ('The real thing')
What's included
- Theory classroom session on radar (as part of two-day course only)
- Accommodation on board of a C-MASTERS yacht (two-day course only)
- Food and drink on board (two-day course only)
- RYA Radar course certificate (two-day course only)
- Training by a RYA recognised Radar instructor
- Fuel and mooring fees
- Free parking at our premises
Supporting courses
We recommend the RYA shorebased courses on navigation and radar.
Supporting books
The RYA Navigation handbook is very useful to learn more about navigating using a radar system.
Overview of all our C-MASTERCLASSES
Navigation @ Night
Practice your navigation skills during night passages - recognise buoys, light houses, harbour entrances and ships
Practical Radar use
Combined theory and practical course on using a radar for position finding, navigation and safety. A hands-on course to get the most out of your radar system
Passage Planning
The key to avoiding nasty surprises when making a voyage is proper preparation, and it starts with learning how to do passage planning. Pragmatic course on preparing your crew and yacht for offshore voyages
Diesel Engine + Power Handling
Combined practical course on relaxed motor handling in complex situations, and maintenance and repair of your diesel engine
Safety on board
Practical course to learn the key messures to improve the safety of your crew and yacht, covering the use of safety materials and emergency procedures (e.g. MOB) on board of a C-MASTERS yacht
Practical Celestial Navigation
Practical offshore course on one of our C-MASTERS yachts on practicing taking sights using a sextant, and determining your position with celestial navigation