Hi All

I'm after some recommendations for coastal navigation courses. This is one area I have done no training whatsoever but I need the skills so I can:

1. Safely navigate from Pittwater to Sydney Harbour at easter as a first test run (will be in convoy with other vessels from the club)
2. Navigate to Port Stephens some time in the next 12 months and spend a couple of weeks exploring.
3. Qualify to charter a Seawind (bareboat) next season possibly in the whitsundays. (therefore an official qualification would be needed and would be useful).

The guys at the sailing club recommended a few options but interested to find out any others? I was hoping for a classroom setting so I could help my mum do the course at the same time and get qualified. But if people who did the online course found it good value for money I might just do that instead.

East Sail - Pricey but quality? Classroom setting is a good learning environment
Online courses (Day Skipper): www.navathome.com.au/
TAFE? Couldnt find any courses but does anyone know if they do it?
Self Teaching? Should I just buy a couple of books to start or just go straight into the qualification?

Just for background I have done:
VHF radio course/license
NSW Boat license
YA competent crew course. (although I never got the piece of paper!)

Any help appreciated!