Starpath Course Videos Index
This index organizes and outlines selected videos related to specific topics in the courses. This is a dynamic list that we will update as new videos are added. You can bookmark this to keep up with our videos. Video lengths are shown as (min:sec). To see our full set of 25 playlists including over 560 videos, see starpath.com/videos. We have a corresponding blogs index at starpath.com/articles.
Video Categories
Navigation Workbook 18465Tr Solutions
Please note, in June, 2025 we switched the electronic charting app we use in coastal nav to be qtVlm, which we also use in the rest of our courses. Several of the videos in coastal nav below are made with OpenCPN. They illustrate the procedures, but we recommend using qtVlm which has now its own set of course related videos.
ONLINE COURSES OPERATIONS Back
All courses: How to search the student discussion forum (8:01)
All courses: How to post a question in the student discussion forum (4:02)
All Courses: How to submit an end of lesson quiz (6:09)
RADAR Back
Sources of the Navigation Rules; does not discuss the individual rules (11:34)
Radar Trainer 1. Introduction (13:48)
Radar trainer 2. Display modes (north-up, head-up, course-up) and targets (15:09)
Radar Trainer 3. Loading charts, Quiz 1 (13:25)
Use of EBL and VRM (8:36)
RC0106-011 and 012, range and true bearing to a target (8:40)
Radar position fixes by three methods: range and bearing, 2 bearings, and 2 ranges (18:40)
RC0204-0035, use of VRM to measure channel width (4:27)
RC0303-0014, Radar Navigation, combining radar and paper charts and OpenCPN echart nav (19:03)
RC0403-0021, Range and Bearing Fix (21:21). See also IN07-008/9 (below)
RC0403-0023, Fix by two bearings after jumping to a different vessel in RT3 (12:08)
RC0403-0032, Fix by three radar ranges and related discussion of situational awareness (20:13)
RC0603, How to solve for SRM, DRM, CPA, TCPA, by Larry Brandt (9:39)
RC0603, Using Radar for Other Vessel Aspect, True Course, Speed, by Larry Brandt (17:23)
RC0603, Solving relative motion diagram and figuring vessel lights (18:48)
RC0604, Radar plotting: Find Heading for Desired CPA at Specific Range (12:36)
Introduction to Navigation Lights on Vessels (21:02)
INLAND AND COASTAL NAVIGATION Back
How to use the NOAA website for tides and currents—tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov (5:44)
Sources of the Navigation Rules; does not discuss the individual rules (11:34)
Chart Plotting with Parallel Rulers (6:23) Paper chart plotting.
Index to several videos on use of plotting tools These videos on paper chart plotting are old and low-res; we will modernize when we can (~1 min each)
Notes on Quiz IN04: Measure deviation with a hand-held compass plus notes on compass conversions (12:11)
IN05-0007: Plotting DR track accounting for leeway. Solved with OpenCPN (17:05)
IN05-0007: Plotting DR track accounting for leeway. Solved with paper chart and plotting tools — plus general discussion of chart work (25:50)
IN06-0007: Danger bearings with qtVlm
IN06-0008: Running fix to same object, no course changes with OpenCPN (4:42)
IN07-0008: Range and bearing fix with OpenCPN (6:17)
IN09-0006: Current from two fixes and DR with OpenCPN (7:30)
IN09-0007: Plot DR track from logbook with current corrections with OpenCPN (15:24); See related paper chart solution IN05-0007 above.
IN09-0009: Current from two range and bearing fixes + DR with OpenCPN (6:45)
Introduction to Navigation Lights on Vessels (21:02)
IN09-0014: See related videos:
CTS: Find CTS using OpenCPN and Find CTS using qtVlm
CTS: plotting with paper and pencil (paper chart method)
NAVIGATION WORKBOOK 18465TR Back
Below are samples worked on paper charts and using OpenCPN,
but we also have now a new set of qtVlm workbook solutions.
Navigation Workbook 18465Tr This workbook is used in our Inland and Coastal Nav Course.
Exercise 4-9 Compass bearing fix (10:31) (qtVlm)
Exercise 4-15 Range and bearing fix (8:01) (qtVlm)
Exercise 5-24 Update a DR position from logbook entries (15:44) (qtVlm)
Exercise 6-2 Danger bearings (10:11) (qtVlm)
Exercise 6-3 Running fix (11:03) (qtVlm)
Faster rfix plot using movable pathway (8:24) (qtVlm)
Exercise 6-3, Running fix, Manual Solution on Paper Chart (9:04)
Exercise 6-7, Running fix, two targets (12:09) (OpenCPN)
Exercise 6-16, Running fix with current, echart solution (9:06) (qtVlm)
Exercise 6-16, Running fix with current corrections, Manual Solution on Paper Chart (13:24)
Exercise 6-18, Running fix with course changes (12:45) (OpenCPN)
Exercise 6-19, Line of Soundings Fix 1, Overview (6:22)
Exercise 6-19, Line of Soundings Fix 2, Paper chart and transparency (9:23)
Exercise 7-2, Quick way to know you are in the traffic lanes (article and video) (8:28)
Exercise 7-5 Fix from two ranges (4:58) (qtVlm)
Exercise 7-6, Running fix with circles of position (6:54) (OpenCPN)
Exercise 8-12,13,14 Read Tides and Currents (past, present, and future) (23:39) (qtVlm)
Exercise 9-1 Find current from two fixes and DR between them (8:43) (qtVlm)
Exercise 9-2 Course to steer (CTS) for desired course in known current (12:14) (qtVlm)
Exercise 9-6, Current from two fixes and DR (7:30) (OpenCPN)
Exercise 9-14 Running fix with current and course changes (12:15) (qtVlm)
Exercise 12-21, Finding current and correcting for it (10:23) (OpenCPN)
CELESTIAL NAVIGATION Back
Universal Plotting Sheets, Introduction and Set Up (12:01)
Universal Plotting Sheets, Examples and Discussion (DR to Fix) (8:57)
Universal Plotting Sheets, Expanding the scales (11:11)
How to handle a sextant (03:18)
CN02-00xx: How to read sextant dials (14:30)
CN03-0017: Predict UTC and WT of LAN based on a DR position at noon (9:53)
CN03-0018: Find latitude from the peak height of the sun at noon (22:33)
CN05-0016: Sight Reduction of the Sun (31:26). See also a shorter summary article.
CN06-0021: How to Plot LOPs and advance for a running fix (22:43)
CN06 Great Circle vs Rhumb Line Routes (8:43)
Lesson 7 Star #6 Sight Reduction using Pub. 249 vol. 3 (27:42)
CN08-0019: Sight Reduction of Jupiter (28:03). See also a shorter summary article.
CN10-0020, 21: Star ID with the 2102-D Star Finder (8:57) and 2102-D Star Finder for best sights on USCG Exams (25:13)
Misc Cel Nav topics
Dip Short, Distance Off, and Running Fix (10:10)
Latitude by Polaris without Time or Almanac, Using the Starpath Regiment of the Pole (20:25)
Cel Nav with qtVlm: Plotting LOPs (14:15)
Cel Nav with qtVlm: Intersecting Circles of Equal Altitude (18:53)
WEATHER Back
Apparent Wind from True Wind, Three Ways, apps, equations, plotting (17:45)
How to read wind and pressure from a weather map, using our Table 2.4-1 (7:05)
Weather maps Part 1, Color maps vs black and white maps (2:49)
Weather maps Part 2, Symbols and Interpretation (10:19)
Weather maps Part 3, Winds and Pressure Patterns (11:51)
Weather maps Part 4, Calculating Wind from Isobars (18:53)
Weather maps Part 5, Clarifies a detail from Part 4, report vs map (2:15)
Weather maps Part 6, Calculating winds along Your Route (16:24)
Evaluating a Weather Forecast, From the Cruising Club Weather Seminar (44:13)
Working with GRIB files and other WX tools in qtVlm (~ 20 videos)
Sides of a Tropical Storm, Part 1. Background and References (10:16)
Sides of a Tropical Storm, Part 2. Hurricane Guillermo 2015 (17:25)
Sides of a Tropical Storm, Part 3. TS Claudette 2015, Value of a Good Barometer (14:56)
Sides of a Tropical Storm, Part 4. Maneuvering from a Known Side (14:30)
ELECTRONIC CHART NAVIGATION Back
Getting Started with qtVlm — How to download and install the electronic charting app we use in all courses (12:00).
A video overview of support resources for qtVlm
Indexed playlist of qtVlm video tutorials
qtVlm Cheat Sheet: an interactive, searchable index of "How-to" topics.