Sea Sense Introduces Weeklong Passagemaking Courses Aboard Trawlers

The southbound migration of boats along the East Coast signals the start of passagemaking season, and Sea Sense is responding with weeklong passagemaking courses conducted aboard trawlers this fall. These hands-on courses are designed to teach practical skills and build the confidence necessary to move from day trips and protected-water cruising to overnight and offshore passages.

Sea Sense’s passagemaking classes are open to individual sailors as well as couples who want to learn together. Instruction takes place in a real passagemaking environment with professional captains who guide participants through live decision-making, watch rotations and onboard procedures. The intent is to create a learning experience that closely mirrors the demands and rhythm of a genuine cruise, rather than a classroom-only seminar.

“We have met many boaters who for one reason or another have not yet gone out of the inlet or overnight. This course will give them the knowledge and confidence to take that next step,” said Capt. Carol Cuddyer, co‑founder of Sea Sense. Students can expect focused coaching that addresses both the technical skills and the judgment calls that passagemaking requires.

The weeklong schedule covers a comprehensive set of passagemaking topics. Practical boat handling in the Intracoastal Waterway emphasizes close-quarters maneuvering and lock or bridge passage considerations. Participants also receive step‑by‑step instruction on planning and executing inlet transits, including assessing tidal windows, currents, and seabed hazards. Offshore safety and essential equipment are covered in depth, with attention to preparing both vessel and crew for extended time at sea.

Instruction includes both daytime and nighttime navigation, log keeping and practical watchstanding techniques to keep a vessel safe and efficiently run during multi-day passages. Weather interpretation, fuel management and voyage planning are emphasized so students learn how to choose sensible routes, monitor changing conditions and make contingency plans. Marine traffic awareness, ship identification and rules of the road are also part of the curriculum to help crews navigate busy approaches and shipping lanes confidently.

Throughout the course, participants are actively involved in the decision-making process for longer cruises. Instructors lead planning sessions and then put plans to the test on the water, demonstrating how to adapt when conditions change. All offshore legs depend on weather, and the program teaches how to evaluate forecasts, read sea state, and determine acceptable margins of safety for a given vessel and crew.

Sea Sense’s professional captains bring extensive cruising and instructional experience to the program. Their backgrounds include sailing and teaching along the U.S. East Coast, in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and in regions such as British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Labrador, Bermuda and Mexico. The captains’ experience also includes passagemaking on trawlers, including a transatlantic crossing, which helps them prepare participants for the realities of extended cruising aboard displacement-style vessels.

Class size is intentionally limited to ensure individualized attention and meaningful hands‑on practice. The 7‑day course fee is $3,195 and includes professional instruction, onboard accommodations, docking and fuel expenses, and most meals. This pricing reflects the immersive, live-aboard nature of the program and the logistical costs of conducting passagemaking training on a trawler.

These passagemaking courses suit boaters who are ready to move beyond day trips, those preparing for coastal or offshore cruising, and couples or crews who want to polish their teamwork and navigation skills. Prospective students should be comfortable committing to a week aboard and ready to participate in all aspects of the cruise, from planning and watches to hands-on boat handling.

For dates, availability and additional details, contact Sea Sense directly or visit their website: www.seasenseboating.com.