ChartSmart®

We are sorry, but this course is no longer offered. Please visit our Education Calendar for the dates of the Basic Boating Course.

Chart Smart is a course for all USPS Boat Smart Course or America's Boating Course (ABC) graduates who are interested in information on compasses, charts, and plotting courses. It builds upon the knowledge gained in Boat Smart or America's Boating Course by covering subjects such as:

• Charts

• Aids to Navigation

• Plotting a Course

• Distance, Speed, Time

• Determining Position

The purpose of Chart Smart is to teach the techniques to determine position when you are within the sight or near proximity of land. This course is designed to give the student an introduction to the subject known as Piloting. As such, it may also appeal to squadron members as a refresher prior to taking the Advanced Grade course of Piloting or non-members who just want to learn the basics of the nautical chart.

Qualified, enthusiastic, and experienced USPS instructors provide instruction as a civic service. There is never a charge for instruction; the only costs are those for materials, plus overhead costs such as classroom rental, shipping and handling, sales tax, etc.

While the content of this student manual serves as the basis for this course, it will also serve as a reference book in basic boating long after the course work is completed. USPS believes that the more educated a boater becomes, the more likely that boater will be a safe boater. Like the Boat Smart Course or America's Boating Course, Chart Smart is a continuation of boating education, and hopefully will encourage non-member students to join USPS to further their boating education such as the courses offered to members of the United States Power Squadrons®. Your instructor can give you information about public and member course offerings.

Chart Smart classes are held throughout the year. Each class session lasts two to 2½ hours. For information on the USPS BoatSmart® and Chart Smart courses in the San Leandro-Hayward, Benicia and San Mateo areas, check out our Educational Calendar.

There are also advanced courses for our members such as Advanced Grades and Electives.