[PUP] Top five passagemakers

[Peter Pisciotta]

> Do you have any suggestions on classes or
> courses that I could take?

My info is a little dated, but here are some
suggestions for classes:

DIESEL Trawler Fest University (Stuart, Solomons) used
to have Bob Smith of Ford Lehman fame do a 2-day
course. If its still offered, its well worth the
money. Even though diesels have changed since the
venerable FL120, the concepts are the same, and the
time invaluable.

DIESEL ADE (Lugger) also has a close relationship with
Nordhavn and do frequent diesel and generator classes.
Talk to Bob Senter at ADE

NAVIGATION Rules-of-the-Road. Marititime Institute
(San Diego) for OUPV or 100-Ton Master license. Even
if you don't have the sea-time and don't get a license
as a result, this 2-week course is great for getting
crisp on the rules of the road.

Hands-on boating experience. Tough to come by without
beging for rides. I always heard great things about
Sea Sense in St Petersburg FL. Run by 2 women
captains, they do multi-day trips primarily geared
toward all-women events. Don't dismiss them because of
the female focus: it's an excellent program, and they
offer private instruction I'm sure.

General info: Orange Coast College (Newport Beach) and
Seattle's Maritime Academy offers classes in a variety
of subjects, but I have no direct knowledge of them.
USCG Aux and Power Squadron offer classes, but the
feedback I've gotten over the years is mixed - some
instructors are better than others (like everything
else, but more so with volunteers).

Peter
Willard 36 Sedan
San Francisco