The Mid Illini Sail & Power Squadron offers boaters an extensive offering of America's Boating Club (United States Power Squadron) courses and seminars led by an excellent group of experienced boaters and sailors.
Our curriculum includes:_
- America's Boating Course (an excellent introduction to boating and safety on the water)
- Boat Handling (formerly Seamanship)
- Marine Navigation (an extensive set of courses including Marine Navigation, Advanced Marine Navigation, Offshore Navigation, and Celestial Navigation)
- Sail
- Weather
- Cruising and Cruise Planning
We also offer a range of America's Boating Club Seminars in addition to our classroom curriculum.
Mid Illini Sail & Power Squadron
2025 Education Program
US Power Squadron/America's Boating Club
Marine Navigation Class
The course starts on Monday 3/17/2025 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Registration is 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm on 3/17/2025. The course is 9 weeks long (3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, & 5/12).
The course registration day (3/17/2025) and course examination day (probably Mon 5/12/2025 but may be negotiated based on group needs) need to be attended in person at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1822 E Lincoln St, Bloomington, IL 61701.
The other days of the class may be attended in person at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1822 E Lincoln St, Bloomington, IL 61701 or can be attended virtually via Webex. However, this is complex subject matter and we have found that students do much better in person.
Cost for members of US Power Squadron/America's Boating Club is $55. Cost for non-members is $141 (includes a single membership). Student class materials are in the form of an electronic PDF (which will require the student to have a computer or tablet to read the materials). Students will also require a Bowditch Bay Practice Chart, 4x15 course plotter and dividers (approx.. $25).
Marine Navigation Class Description
Marine Navigation is the first of the navigational classes focusing on techniques for piloting a boat in coastal and inland conditions. The course emphasizes planning and checking along with the use of GPS and other electronic systems for determining position, and introduces digital charting along with traditional charting, compass and dead reckoning skills. Plotting, use of the compass, aids to navigation, electronic tools and a host of related topics are included in this all-new approach to coastal, inland and river piloting. This course includes:
The course registration day (3/17/2025) and course examination day (probably Mon 5/12/2025 but may be negotiated based on group needs) need to be attended in person at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1822 E Lincoln St, Bloomington, IL 61701.
The other days of the class may be attended in person at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1822 E Lincoln St, Bloomington, IL 61701 or can be attended virtually via Webex. However, this is complex subject matter and we have found that students do much better in person.
Cost for members of US Power Squadron/America's Boating Club is $55. Cost for non-members is $141 (includes a single membership). Student class materials are in the form of an electronic PDF (which will require the student to have a computer or tablet to read the materials). Students will also require a Bowditch Bay Practice Chart, 4x15 course plotter and dividers (approx.. $25).
Marine Navigation Class Description
Marine Navigation is the first of the navigational classes focusing on techniques for piloting a boat in coastal and inland conditions. The course emphasizes planning and checking along with the use of GPS and other electronic systems for determining position, and introduces digital charting along with traditional charting, compass and dead reckoning skills. Plotting, use of the compass, aids to navigation, electronic tools and a host of related topics are included in this all-new approach to coastal, inland and river piloting. This course includes:
- Charts and their interpretation
- Landmarks and navigation aids (buoys, day marks, lights, etc.)
- Plotting courses and determining direction and distance
- The mariner's compass and converting between True and Magnetic
- Use of GPS - basic GPS displays and information they provide, setting up waypoints and routes, staying on a GPS course
- Pre-planning courses and entering them into the GPS
- Monitoring progress and determining position by both GPS and traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
- The "Seaman's Eye" - simple skills for checking that one is on course
