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TWO BOATING COURSES - STARTING IN FEBRUARY 2025

 Two courses that qualify for the CT Boating License will be offered in February 2025.  The courses will start:

     - Tuesday, February 4        The SHORT Course – meeting two Tuesday evenings.
     - Wednesday, February 5   The FULL   Course – meeting six Wednesday evenings.

The courses will be presented at Noroton Yacht Club, 23 Baywater Drive, Darien CT, starting at 7:00pm. See directions below.

The cost of each course is $150, and will include all class materials and a one-year membership in the Darien Sail & Power Squadron.

Here are the details concerning each course.

The SHORT Course (qualifying for the CT Boating License) - meeting two Tuesday evenings 

Covers basic boating topics: rules of the road, CT regulations, and essentials of good seamanship.
Ideal for students who “just need the license.” For example:

     - experienced boaters who have moved to CT with boating credentials from other states
     - young people who need the CT License for summer jobs in camps, on the water
     - adults who have boating experience, but need to catch-up with the CT License

The FULL Course (also qualifying for the CT Boating License) - meeting six Wednesday evenings 

Covers all the material in the Short Course, plus:

     - The use of marine charts, plotting courses and distances – to supplement the GPS
     - Hands-on time with Marine VHF Radios
     - Detailed discussion of Anchoring tips and techniques
     - Practice with ropes (“Lines” when on a boat) and several useful knots
     - “Local Knowledge” of nearby destinations and anchorages

This is the traditional course that has been presented by the Darien Sail & Power Squadron for many years.  It is ideal for students with enough time to go into some depth on the above topics, experience hands-on exercises with training aids, and generally “learn something about boating” in addition to the CT regulations.

Prospective students need to do the following 3 things before the first class:

1.  Register for the SHORT course here: REGISTER-SHORT
         – or –
     Register for the FULL course here:    REGISTER-FULL 

When registering for either course, please check at least the box next to “I am interested in registering for this boating course” AND fill in all of the requested information. Don’t forget to click the SUBMIT button at the bottom when you are through!
 
2. Pay for the course using the PayPal “Buy Now” button below.

There is a significant discount for multiple students from a single family.  To obtain the discount, select the number of students using the drop-down list, and be sure each student is registered via Step 1, above.

When you get to the “Pay with PayPal” page, if you do not have, and do not want to have, a PayPal account, simply click the "Pay With Credit or Debit Card" button.

Number of Students

3.  Obtain your free Connecticut Conservation ID number: Click “Create an Account” under “New User” here: ct.aspirafocus.com/internetsales/. Please forward your Conservation ID number to   DSPSCT@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Directions - Noroton Yacht Club

 N 41° 02.7   W 073° 29.2

From I-95 Eastbound: Take Exit 10, turning right (south) past ramp traffic light and onto Noroton Avenue.Continue on Noroton Avenue past traffic lights at Maple and at the next light,turn right (west) onto the Post Road (Rt 1).

At the next light turn left (south) onto Nearwater Lane.Follow Nearwater Lane through a set of stone pillars (do not turn right to Weed Beach).

Continue over several sets of speed bumps (15 mph speed limit), until you reach the Noroton Bay beach and pier on your right, turn left onto Baywater Drive and follow it until you reach the Club on your right.


From I-95 Westbound: Take Exit 10 and proceed to the first traffic light.Turn left (south) onto Noroton Avenue and proceed per instructions above.

From Merritt Parkway: Take Exit 37 (Darien) and head south on Rt. 124 (Mansfield Avenue) to it's end, where it meets the Post Road (Rt. 1) in the Town of Darien.

Turn right at the traffic light onto the Post Road (Rt. 1 ) and head west.

After several miles you'll pass two churches on your left and one on your right. At the next traffic light turn left (south) onto Nearwater Lane. Proceed per directions above.