Missed for classes, should I take the 2nd ones?

[Saasaan]

The coast guard in San Diego offers free classes, it looks like I missed the first section Boating Skills & Seamanship , should I just go to the Boating Skills & Seamanship II, or is that a bad idea and I should just wait for it to start over ?


Boating Skills & Seamanship: Core (NASBLA Certified- 8 wks)
DATE TOPIC
10 JAN WHICH BOAT IS FOR YOU?
17 JAN EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR BOAT
24 JAN TRAILERING YOUR BOAT
31 JAN HANDLING YOUR BOAT
07 FEB THE RULES YOU MUST FOLLOW
14 FEB YOUR HIGHWAY SIGNS
21 FEB THE REST OF OUR STORY
28 FEB REVIEW & Examination


Boating Skills & Seamanship II: Not Certificated - 5 wks
DATE TOPIC
14 MAR INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATION
21 MAR POWERING YOUR BOAT
28 MAR LINES & KNOTS FOR YOUR BOAT
04 APR WEATHER AND BOATING
11 APR YOUR BOAT'S RADIO
18 APR REVIEW & Examination

[sailingdog]

Personally, I would recommend that you do the basic course first. The knowledge you learn there is built upon by the later courses, and if you don't know the basics, learning the other stuff can be a bit confusing...
But it depends on how much boating experience you already have... since many experienced boaters will have a fairly good understanding of the basics.. My guess is that you're a complete N00b to boating, and starting from scratch can't hurt.

The other alternative is to take that course on-line, and then take the second course as scheduled. I would be surprised if they don't offer the same curriculum on-line in some format.