Weather Knowledge?

[jemsea]

There are so many sources for weather maps, forecasts, grib files, etc. available it would sure be nice to know who to believe when they diverge.

How to know if you are going to have to motor or reef that afternoon or the next day by reading the weather maps and current conditions.

On our recent cruise from Massachusetts to Maine we either had no wind or to much. A small craft advisory ended up in near gale conditions. The wind increased from 8 - 10 to 30 - 35 very quickly. We were reacting rather than anticipating which left me feeling that I should have recognised what was happening sooner, reefed sooner, etc.

Long story short, I want to gain some weather knowledge from a course in addition to and possibly before the school of hard knocks convenes again.

Anyone used Starpath? Any other courses out there that are recommended?

Thanks,

John