Elective Courses
Six Elective Courses are offered by USPS. They cover separate and independent topics and therefore may be taken in any order according to a member’s interests and time. Learn how to become a member of USPS and take any or all of these courses by following this link.
The complete Engine Maintenance course consists of two modular sections. EM 101, Basic Engine Maintenance, provides information about marine propulsion systems, basic engine principles, engine components, controls, instruments and alarms, marine engine maintenance, and steering systems. There is a chapter on winter storage and spring servicing that includes a 25-step winterizing checklist. An 11-page glossary concludes the student manual.
EM 102, Advanced Engine Maintenance, delves into cooling and exhaust systems, lubrication, fuel and air induction systems, ignition systems, electrical and starting systems, power trains, and troubleshooting. The last chapter is on emergency repairs afloat. An 11-page glossary concludes the student manual.The Marine Electronics course consists of three modules: ME 101, Boat Electrical Systems, ME 102, Marine Radio Communications, and ME 103, Marine Electronics for Navigation. There are no prerequisites for any of these modules: however, it is suggested that a member take ME 101 before taking ME 102. All three modules must be successfully completed to receive credit for Marine Electronics.
The complete Sail course consists of two modular sections. Sa101, Introduction to Sail, teaches basic elements of sailing, including terminology, sailboat rigs and sail plans, boat design and hull types, sails, standing & running rigging, boat, true, and apparent wind, leaving and returning to dock, sailing upwind and downwind, marlinespike for sailors, and basic sailing rules.
Sa102, Advanced Sail, teaches forces, stability and balance, sail trim, tuning a rig, steering and helmsmanship, spinnaker handling, heavy weather sailing, survival in storm conditions, safety procedures, racing and race management, and complete navigation rules for sailing vessels.
The Weather course furnishes basic weather knowledge for safer and more enjoyable boating. The student will learn to make weather predictions based upon observations of the sky, upon barometer and wind information, as well as weather data provided by maps, satellite images, and radio and TV broadcasts. Wx101 and Wx102 use a USPS supplement manual together with The Weather Book from USA Today as the textbook.
Wx101, Basic Weather, includes: effects of heat and cold, wind and pressure, storms and fronts, rain, humidity, and fog, and floods, droughts, and winter precipitation. Wx102, Advanced Weather, includes: thunderstorms and tornadoes, tropical weather, atmosphere and clouds, forecasting, and climate. PowerPoint slides showing cloud formations are used in the course. This course is highly recommended for those who do not have a background in meteorology. It gives the student a good understanding in how weather systems behave and why different parts of the country experience the weather they do.
Designed for members who plan to cruise for just a day or for a year—in either a sail or powerboat—this course covers the following topics: cruise preparation and planning, boat and equipment, anchors and anchoring, security, chartering, cruising outside the United States, crew and provisioning, voyage management, communications, navigation, weather, and emergencies. The manual includes a twelve-month cruise planning timeline.
This course deals with effective communication for speakers and teachers—a quality that benefits the individual in all walks of life. It offers practical instruction in: preparing for teaching assignments, preparing for meeting presentations, effective teaching techniques, conducting efficient meetings, and selecting and using audiovisual aids.