How to Take a Course for Mariners to Learn More About Using GPS

While some traditional sailors rely on the stars for navigation, you may want to take a more modern approach and get yourself a global positioning system, or GPS. If you are unsure how to use your new device, sign up for a class to get the most out of your GPS. The last thing you want is to be completely lost–—and yet have a device on hand that could tell you exactly where to go if only you knew how to use it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Form of payment
• GPS device

1. Use the yellow pages or an online search to find a boating school near you. Use “GPS” in your search terms to get the most useful results.
2. Visit the school or their Web site to view the courses that they have to offer.
3. Sign up for a class on navigation with GPS.
4. Prepare as instructed to get the most out of the class. You may need to bring your own device. Check to be sure.

Tips & Warnings

• Get to know your GPS before class, and bring any questions that you have.
• Learning by trial and error is not a good idea. Take the class and learn everything you need to know.