"Alan Parr" wrote in message
om...
I am interested in learning to navigate, but am wondering where to
start. Basic questions I have include:

- where can I buy dividers, compass and charts (e.g. St. Croix river
area),

Online at www.westmarine.com or www.boatus.com (same company, actually -
the former owns the latter). The major diff is that if you walk into a West
Marine store, you can have a catalog for free. At BoatUS, they insult you by
charging you fourteen bucks for a catalog.


- is there a recommended class (online or distance learning) for
navigation this winter, and
- in the long-term is there a certification for pilot or navigator
that is worth obtaining for cruising?

Not sure where the St. Croix river is. But, if you've got a Coast Guard
station anywhere nearby, give them a call and ask about Power Squadron
classes. They're usually given at local high schools, fire halls, churches,
or other hideously overheated placed. Well worthwhile, though.