"The planning stage of a cruise is often just as enjoyable as the voyage itself, letting one's imagination loose on all kinds of possibilities.  Yet translating dreams into reality means a lot of practical questions have to be answered."

JIMMY CORNELL - BRITISH SAILOR & AUTHOR

YOUR TRAINING PROCESS

1. THEORY DEVELOPMENT - 2. ON THE WATER TRAINING - 3. CERTIFICATION

The first step in getting you to your sailing goals is the Theory Development Phase.  During this component you will complete the online training with either NauticEd or ISPA to prepare for your on-the-water training experience.  During this phase you will also have access to exclusive Latitude Sailing training materials as well as video conferencing to assist you through the learning process.

Your on-the-water component will have two stages that will be integrated during your time on the water;  a training segment and an evaluation component that will ultimately result in your certification.

During the training stage you will have the opportunity to apply the theory that you have learned and put it into practice.   With the private/couple training format with Latitude Sailing, you will have maximum time to practice and develop your skills.

By the end of your on-the-water time, your ability to demonstrate competency will be evaluated and certification will be achieved when you can demonstrate competency of all the required skills.

THEORY DEVELOPMENT COMPONENT:  NAUTICED OR ISPA

NAUTICED NAVIGATION COURSES

The NauticEd Navigation Program consists of 2 Online Courses. These two courses will provide you with the knowledge to handle navigation using both traditional charts and tools as well as electronic planning tools.  Due to the significant tides and currents in British Columbia, navigation training is an essential part of being a skipper in our west coast waters.

Coastal Navigation (10 hours):  This online coastal navigation course gives sailors and powerboaters the crucial knowledge and skills to safely plan and navigate coastal boating adventures.  You'll learn how to read and interpret nautical chats, plot accurate courses, fix your position (DR, 3-bearing, running fix), convert between true/magnetic/compass, and calculate tides and currents (set & drift) for dependable passage planning.

Electronic Navigation (5 hours):  The Electronic Navigation course teaches you more than button-pushing skills - it teaches you how to operate modern marine GPS systems, GPS chartplotters, AIS, radar, and weather electronics with clarity and confidence.  By the end you'll move beyond 'hoping the tech works' to making calm, precise, and well-timed decisions at sea, day or night, sail or power.  Learn how to set up your systems, plan passages with real-world forecasts and currents, use radar and AIS to identify risks early, and run disciplined routines (MOB, autopilot, etc....)

Total Estimated Time to Complete:  15 Hours

Click the Images Below for More Information or to Register for the Courses

NAUTICED THEORY COST: 

Coastal Nav - $39.00 US (~$55.00 CAD)

Electronic Nav - $25.00 US (~35.00 CAD)

TOTAL COST: $64.00 US (~$90.00 CAD)

ISPA COASTAL NAVIGATION

The ISPA Coastal Navigation Course provides the knowledge and skills essential to navigate safely in both inland and coastal/tidal water environments, using both paper-based and electronic navigation tools.

PREREQUISTES: 

• Some on-the-water experience - Power or Sail

Click the Images Below for More Information or to Register for the Course

ISPA THEORY COST: 

$350.00 CAD

NauticEd Open Ocean Membership:  Depending on how quickly work your way through the theory component, there is another option, the NauticEd Open Ocean Membership.  For $19.00 US per month, you gain access to all the NauticEd Online Courses that would be needed for your training (and a lot more).  Once you pass the online course, the course is yours to keep forever and you can either put your membership on hold or  1-Click cancel at any time,  If you complete your theory over a concentrated time, this could significantly reduce your theory material costs through NauticEd! 

For example if you were to complete your courses over a 1 month time period, your total cost would be $19 US or approximately $27 CAD, saving almost 50%!

ON THE WATER COMPONENT:  LATITUDE SAILING

ON-THE-WATER TIME:  The course involves 2 training days on-the-water.  These days can be completed separately or involving an overnight on-board the boat.  If the Navigation course is conducted as a stand-alone course, your on-the-water training will depart from Nanaimo.  A minimum of 20 hours on-the-water time is required.

COURSE COSTS:  The On-The-Water component of the PRIVATE Navigation Course with Latitude Sailing is $975CAD.  If a couple wished to complete their training together (shared cabin), the cost for both is $1495 CAD. 

COMBINED COURSES:  It is possible to complete your 'Crew', 'ROC(m)', 'Skipper' and 'Navigation' as a complete package over 7 consecutive on-the-water days at a savings of 25% over completing the courses individually ($3295 CAD per individual or $4795 CAN per couple).  The focused time allows you to build your skills more effectively and allows for a greater customization of training plans.   

The combined 7-Day program is the RECOMMENDED path.

Complete 'Crew', 'Skipper' and 'Navigation' Package over 7 days.

SAVE 25% Over Individual Course Pricing.

CONTACT LATITUDE SAILING TO DETERMINE YOUR PERSONALIZED TRAINING PLAN

The first step in your Sailing journey begins with contacting Latitude Sailing.  Everyone has unique goals and objectives for their sailing training, which is why Latitude Sailing courses are 'ALWAYS PRIVATE - ALWAYS PERSONALIZED - ALWAYS ABOUT YOU'.   We will discuss your personal sailing goals, timelines, preferred departure and training areas, and assist you with establishing a training plan to help you achieve your personal goals. 

At this point you can secure your training spot and tentative training dates with a 50% deposit of the course fees.  This will allow access to exclusive Latitude Sailing video tutorials as well as access to LIVE video conferencing meetings during your theory development to answer questions, address challenges, and provide insights to your specific situation.

Complete your theory development through NAUTICED or ispa self study, CanBOAT & latitude sailing online

In order to maximize your time on the water, completion of your theory components in advance of your training is REQUIRED so as to allow more time on-the-water during your training.  Online material access is purchased directly through NauticEd, CanBoat, or ISPA.

SCHEDULE YOUR CUSTOM LEARNING EXPERIENCE WITH LATITUDE SAILING

Once you have completed your Theory Development, it is time to finalize your On-The-Water Training component.  At this point the remaining balance of your training fees will be due.  NOTE:  Dates sell out early so if you know when you want to complete your on-the-water component, it is recommended to secure your dates even before the Theory Development component is completed.

Decisions that need to finalized during this step include:

• training dates
• departure location
• our vessel or yours
• tentative plan of stops and destinations during your training
• travel and provisioning plans

ENJOY YOUR PRIVATE/COUPLE TRAINING EXPERIENCE ON THE WATER

When the day finally arrives for your On-The-Water training to begin, you will be met at the agreed upon departure point where your training will begin.  For Nanaimo, BC departures complimentary pick up can be arranged if you are arriving via ferry or air into Nanaimo.

Your training plan will involve planning around Nanaimo Harbour, Dodd Narrows, Newcastle Island and other passages in the Gulf Islands.

OTHER LATITUDE SAILING

TRAINING COURSES

The NauticEd Competent Crew or ISPA Competent Crew - Sail Course is the first step in your sailing journey.  This course provides the basic knowledge essentials for keelboat sailing and serving as an active crew member.

4 Days On-the-Water

Minimum 20 hours

CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The NauticEd Skipper Large Keelboat or ISPA Day Skipper - Sail Course continues your ISPA training journey and provides the intermediate sailing and cruising knowledge and skills essential for being in command of a vessel.  Take the helm and chart your journey!

4-7 Days On-the-Water

Minimum 20 hours

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The NauticEd Bareboat Charter Master or ISPA Coastal Skipper Advanced - Sail Course expands your ISPA training journey and provides the advanced sailing and cruising knowledge and skills essential for skippers exploring more advanced boating environments!

5-7 Days Live Aboard

Minimum 125 NM

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Now Booking Course Dates For 2027.

2026 Dates are SOLD OUT

Contact Us to Secure Your Preferred Dates To Complete Your Training

CONTACT LATITUDE SAILING