The Miami International Boat Show 2012

New! Powerboating Made Easy – a Floating Classroom This comprehensive class will engage guests in hands-on training exercises covering precision boat control in tight spaces, docking skills, chart familiarization, using Aids to Navigation, applying the rules of the road while underway, anchoring, handling waves and wakes safely, and much more.Taught by a USCG-licensed and RPBA-certified professional instructor, this floating classroom is ideal for new boaters as well as seasoned captains who have had no formal training. Advanced registration is required atwww.regonline.com/pmemiami2012; cost is $79.

FREE: Close Quarters Powerboat Handling – Learn boat control in confined spaces including maneuvering close to fixed objects and other boats, backing down in a straight line in a narrow channel and turning around in tight spaces. Sessions held daily at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and Saturday-Monday at 4:30 p.m.

FREE: Advanced Docking and Precision Boat Control – Advanced, precision boat control techniques will be covered, such as managing wind and current in close quarter situations as well as momentum control and strategies for maneuvering in confined spaces. Classes held daily at 11 a.m., 4:30 p.m., and Saturday-Monday at 3 p.m.

FREE: Helmsmanship & Underway Safety – Take the helm to learn the specific skills to properly operate a boat including handling waves and wakes safely, correct application of the navigation rules for meeting, crossing and overtaking, sound signals required by the Rules of the Road, passenger safety considerations and more. Classes held each day at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. FREE: Anchoring and Multi-Vessel Rafting Techniques – Enroll in hands-on anchoring exercises and learn the following: how to determine the correct “scope” of anchor rode to pay out, how to set the anchor securely, steps to free a fouled anchor and strategies for anchoring in adverse/changing conditions. Classes held Thursday-Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday-Monday at 1 p.m.

FREE: Essential Boating Safety (presented dockside) – Learn strategies to improve safety, including how to conduct a departure, voyage-critical systems check, proper care and use of USCG-required safety equipment, recommended optional equipment and how to conduct a passenger safety briefing. Classes held Thursday-Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday-Monday at 3 p.m.

Advanced registration for ALL Discover Boating Resource Center courses is recommended.

Discover Sailing classes allow guests to learn how to navigate and keep the wind in their sails. Classes include:

New! Advanced, Cruising Skills Seminars – Instructors from the American Sailing Association (ASA) conduct specially designed seminars focused on the offshore environment. These hands-on sessions will cover essential offshore cruising strategies. Classes are Friday-Monday from 8:30 a.m. – noon. Advance registration is required; cost per person is $125 and includes a two-day pass to the show.

New and Exclusive! Introduction to Cruising Catamarans – Participants in this underway seminar will experience first-hand the expansive comfort, impressive speed and precise maneuverability of the modern cruising catamaran along with the unique sailing and handling needs of larger “Cats”. ASA instructors will cover Cruising Catamaran fundamentals, including techniques for tacking and jibing in light air, correct sail trim, steering a compass course, line handling and winch safety, crew overboard recovery, maneuvering in tight spaces under power and much more. Classes are Friday – Monday from 8:30 a.m. – noon. Must be 18 years of age or older and capable of performing as an active crew member while underway to participate. Advance registration is required; cost per person is $125 and includes a two-day pass to the show.

FREE: Introduction to Sailing – Learn basic ASA skills aboard a Discover Sailing training vessel. Learn how to raise and lower the sails, trim the sails correctly, tack and jib, helmsmanship fundamentals, points of sail and more. Participants will get a chance to put their newfound skills to work at the end of each session by competing against the other boat crews in a friendly “regatta” to determine bragging rights for the day. Classes are Friday-Monday at 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

FREE: Coastal Cruising – Discover essential skills including how to heave to, reef the sails, steer with the sails as well as crew overboard recovery methods. Classes are Friday-Monday at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m.

FREE: Docking Under Power & Close Quarters Boat Control – Learn close quarters maneuvering skills including: 360-degree turns in tight spaces (back and fill), backing down a narrow channel in a straight line, weather vane turns in windy conditions, coming alongside a pier (fuel dock) and using spring lines in docking maneuvers. Classes are Friday-Monday at 2:30 p.m.