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Independent study · no certification. Details

Compass Revision is independent and is not affiliated with, approved by, or endorsed by Sail Canada, Transport Canada, ISED, CanBoat, CHS, or the Canadian Coast Guard. It does not award certification, a PCOC, or an ROC(M).

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
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Product tour

Try the revision loop here

This working, course-specific sample uses the same three primary steps and feedback timing as the revision app: learn the idea, use Practise for immediate help, then Test at the end.

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Learn · teaching first

Read the Wind the Boat Actually Feels

From Advanced Sail Theory and Balance

What you will learn

Construct apparent wind from true wind and vessel motion, then predict how a change of speed or direction changes the sails' working wind.

Explanation

The sails respond to apparent wind: the relative airflow created by the environmental wind and the boat's own motion. A trim decision therefore begins with the wind the moving boat feels, not an isolated true-wind number.

True wind describes air motion relative to the earth or water reference being used. Vessel motion creates an equal and opposite relative-wind component. Apparent wind is the vector difference between true-wind velocity and vessel velocity; both speed and direction matter, so it cannot be found by adding two speed numbers without their bearings.

As a yacht accelerates on a steady heading, the vessel-motion component normally draws apparent wind farther forward and increases its speed. Slowing in a wave can let it move aft and weaken. A turn changes the vector immediately, even before boat speed settles. These changes explain why telltales and sheet load can move during acceleration, a lull, a wave or a manoeuvre when the environmental wind appears unchanged.

Explain an apparent-wind change before trimming

The apparent-wind display moves forward and strengthens while the boat accelerates out of a lull.

Sense check: If the explanation requires true wind to have changed but no independent evidence supports that claim, keep the vessel-motion explanation open.

Common mistake

Adding wind and boat speeds as scalars while ignoring their directions

Recap

  • The sails work in apparent wind.
  • Construct apparent wind by subtracting the vessel-velocity vector.
  • Speed and heading changes can alter both apparent speed and angle.
More ways to revise

Flashcards, audio and interactive tools remain optional support inside the module; they do not replace the Learn → Practise → Test route.

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.

Open module
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.

Open module
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
  • At least 18 explained 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

Original content is reviewed against published Sail Canada standards and current Canadian government sources. Provincial and local requirements must be checked separately.