Weather is one of those subjects that can feel simple one moment and overwhelming the next. Most cruisers know they should understand it better, but many are not sure where to start, or how deep they really need to go.
That is exactly why there are two weather courses, and why they are structured the way they are.
Weather Confidence for Cruisers: building the foundation
Weather Confidence for Cruisers was created as a practical starting point. It focuses on the core skills cruisers use most often when making real decisions on the water.
You learn how to read weather maps without getting lost, what different cloud types are telling you, how wind forms and changes, and how to interpret forecasts so they actually make sense. It also covers everyday tools such as the barometer and VHF marine weather reports, and shows how to spot warning signs early rather than reacting too late.
The goal of this course is confidence. Not perfection, not meteorology, but the ability to look at the weather picture and feel calmer and more capable when planning or underway.
You may notice that the lesson list looks quite long. That is because supporting videos, examples, and downloadable handouts are grouped at the end of the course rather than embedded inside each lesson. The core teaching itself remains focused and manageable.
The full weather course: going deeper
The full weather course includes everything in Weather Confidence for Cruisers, and then builds on it.
This is where we slow down and look at the bigger systems that drive marine weather. Topics such as synoptic charts, pressure systems, trade winds, fronts, cyclones, line squalls, storm surge, and regional weather patterns are explored in more detail. You also work through real examples and case studies, so you can see how forecasts evolve and how decisions are made in practice.
This course is designed for cruisers who want a deeper understanding of why the weather behaves the way it does, and who want to improve their long-term planning as well as their day-to-day judgement.
Do you need both?
You do not need to purchase both courses.
Weather Confidence for Cruisers is included in the full weather course. If you enrol in the full course, you already have access to all of the short course material.
Some people prefer to start with Weather Confidence on its own, get comfortable with the basics, practice and building on the foundation; and then move on to the full course later. Others know from the start that they want the complete picture and choose the full course straight away.
Both approaches are valid. The courses are self-paced, and you can revisit lessons whenever you need a refresher.
The most important thing
Understanding weather is not about memorising charts or chasing perfect forecasts. It is about recognising patterns, asking better questions, and making decisions with more awareness and less stress.
Whichever course you choose, the aim is the same: to help you feel more confident, more prepared, and more in control when it comes to weather at sea.
The Weather Manual
We also have a weather manual for those who want to read through the information, or use to refer back to after the online courses (better than writing copious notes)!