2025 Saturday Seminar Series
America’s Boating Club Atlanta (ABCA) is excited to offer a series of seminars, one seminar each month April – August, 2025. These seminars were selected specifically to prepare students for challenges of longer range cruising in blue waters where knowing about tides and currents, anchoring, VHF radio, radar, and AIS (Automatic Identification System) are important skills. Seminar series topics and descriptions:
- Radar – learn to use radar as an essential tool of navigation and collision avoidance. Explore the different types of radar equipment, their capabilities, limitations and settings.
- Anchoring – learn about situations from putting down a lunch hook to anchoring overnight in blustery conditions. Develop techniques for selecting an anchorage and determining the best place to anchor; buying the right anchor for your vessel and most common cruising waters; tips and tricks on mooring and rafting-up.
- VHF – understand the value of your marine VHF Radio when cruising as part of a fleet and in waters with commercial vessels. Learn proper VHF etiquette to communicate vessel to vessel, request assistance if needed and respond to others who may need help. Learn how to select a marine VHF radio for your vessel and associated operational requirements.
- Tides and Currents – discover the causes and effects of tides and currents and understand their impact on your cruise planning. Learn to predict the shifting tides and maximum currents and associated definitions. Use your seaman’s eye supported by printed or electronic tide and current data to ensure there is sufficient water under your keel.
- Automated Identification System (AIS) – learn how recreational skippers are using AIS to enhance their ability to avoid other vessels and commercial ships in crowded waters. Understand what AIS is, how it works, how it is different from radar and why it is advantageous.
Instructors: The seminars are instructor-led, online for 90 minutes. They will be team taught by P/C Eric Ringwall, SN-CN and Meredith Randall, SN-CN. Both have enjoyed teaching for ABCA for years and also experience cruising thousands of miles in coastal and off-shore waters.
Price: TBD.
Course fee may be paid via Zelle or check. Send an email to treasurer@americasboatingclubatlanta.org for details.
Schedule: Each seminar is from 9 – 10:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays. You may register for whichever seminars interest you. To register click the Register for Seminar button below.
- Radar for Boaters – Saturday, April 19, 2025
- Anchoring with Assurance – Saturday, May 31, 2025
- VHF – Saturday, June 21, 2025
- Tides & Currents – Saturday, July 19, 2025
- AIS Electronics for Boaters – Saturday, August 16, 2025
Full-Length Courses
Cruising under Power and Sail
This course is for anyone thinking about exploring inland or coastal waters by boat on your own vessel or a charter. This extensive course starts with preparing to cruise, different boats for different waters and experiences, and basics of propulsion and electrical systems. Extended cruising requires a working understanding of onboard systems like bilge pumps, autopilot, ground tackle, galley, plumbing, tools, spare parts and associated troubleshooting techniques. Safety is always top priority so navigating to a safe harbor, a watchful weather eye, and knowing how to respond to onboard emergencies is necessary. Even details like planning meals, provisioning, crew assignments and daily routines are important. The course culminates in planning your own cruise and presenting it to the class.
Instructors: The Cruising under Power and Sail are instructor-led, online for 2-hours in the evening. It will be team taught by P/C Eric Ringwall, SN-CN and Meredith Randall, SN-CN. Both have enjoyed teaching for ABCA for years. They have both cruised thousands of miles in coastal and off-shore waters on their own trawlers and in charter vessels, sail and power.
Price: Member $88, Non-Member $143.
Course fee may be paid via Zelle or check. Send an email to treasurer@americasboatingclubatlanta.org for details.
Schedule: Each class is online from 7 – 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings beginning on June 17. The course is about eight weeks. To register click the Register for Cruising under Power and Sail button below.
If you have questions about this class or any of America’s Boating Club Atlanta’s educational offerings send an email to seo@americasboatingclubatlanta.org
For information on all of the advanced classes click here.