Compass Revision is an independent study platform. It is not affiliated with, approved by, or endorsed by Sail Canada, Transport Canada, ISED, CanBoat, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, or the Canadian Coast Guard. These companions do not award certification, a PCOC, or an ROC(M), and do not replace recognized instruction, practical experience, or assessment.

Compass Canada

Compass Canada study companion

Advanced Cruising Study Companion

Direct answer

Independent advanced Canadian preparation for sail theory, weather, stability, heavy weather, systems, night navigation, emergencies, and extended coastal command. Independent knowledge preparation mapped to a published standard. Compass is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sail Canada. Completion does not award certification, demonstrate on-water competence, or replace recognized instruction and assessment. The required liveaboard training, continuous passage, night work, first aid, PCOC, ROC(M), and instructor-observed performance remain outside Compass.

Price
$49.99 once
Course size
10 modules
Access
Lifetime access
Format
Independent online study companion
Preview the free module

Course route

Learn the knowledge, then take it afloat with an instructor

1Free

Advanced Sail Theory and Balance

True and apparent wind, force diagrams, centre of effort, lateral resistance, weather helm, and control effects.

Open module
2Full access

Weather Systems and Synoptic Charts

Lows, warm and cold fronts, pressure, clouds, wind shifts, synoptic charts, gusts, waves, and coastal effects.

Open module
3Full access

Collision Regulations and Distress Signals

Rules 1–36, Canadian modifications, lights, shapes, sound signals, restricted visibility, and Annex IV distress signals.

Open module
4Full access

Yacht Stability

Centre of gravity, centre of buoyancy, GZ, righting moment, angle of vanishing stability, free surface, and multihull differences.

Open module
5Full access

Heavy Weather and Watch Preparation

Sail selection, heaving-to, lying a-hull awareness, sea anchors, harnesses, chafe, stowage, clothing, fatigue, and watches.

Open module
6Full access

Advanced Anchoring, Towing, and Sail Handling

Second anchors, trip lines, fouled anchors, breast anchors, towing bridles, anchoring and mooring under sail, and sail combinations.

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7Full access

Systems Faults and Seasonal Maintenance

Fuel blockage, impellers, starter circuits, heads, water systems, fire, oil and filter changes, rig checks, winterizing, and spring launch.

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8Full access

Five-Day and 48-Hour Passage Plan

Food, watches, navigation, weather, anchorages, alternate routes, shelters, fuel, water, and decision points.

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9Full access

Night Navigation and Pilotage

Navigation watches, danger and clearing bearings, advancing lines, distance off, upwind DR, electronic fixes, current, leeway, and logs.

Open module
10Full access

Emergency Command and Practical Boundaries

Dismasting, lee-shore grounding, engine failure, fire, flooding, crew overboard day/night, recovery, command, and training limits.

Open module

What the companion includes

Clear knowledge and practical boundaries

  • Original lessons and explanations
  • 18 questions and 12 flashcards per module
  • Three 40-question mixed knowledge assessments
  • Canada terminology, jurisdiction, and primary-source context
  • Practical-awareness prompts clearly separated from assessed knowledge

Not included

  • Sail Canada certification or an official examination
  • A Pleasure Craft Operator Card or ROC(M) certificate
  • Instructor-observed practical assessment
  • Copied textbook, chart, manual, or examination content
  • A guarantee of school, examiner, or charter-operator acceptance

Editorial record

Primary-source review

Course content is original to Compass and reviewed against published Sail Canada standards and current Canadian government sources. Provincial, local, vessel-specific, and operator requirements must be checked separately.