Boat and yacht Operator Training

Our approach to boat training is to create a fun and enjoyable environment for learning. We are a no judgement zone with positive encouragement and a ton of patience. During our courses, we expect the students to do the vast majority of driving. We will be standing right next to the student and will provide a demonstration, if needed, but have found the most effective way for the student to gain confidence and retain the information is by driving them self. We are big fans of saying "great job" and hearing "can we do it again". 

Our instructors are all licensed captains with many years of experience operating boats of various sizes and types with experience in training and communication. We recognize that not everyone has the same skill level or experience. Because of this we start all of our sessions by getting a clear understanding of the students boating experience, goals and course objectives. We adjust  our course delivery approach with the information gathered from each student to ensure the students receive the most value towards their boating goals and objectives. This means we may spend a little more time in one area such as docking where they are less confident than another area.

Our Basic Boat Handling Skills Course is designed for new boaters of vessels typically 23 ft in length or less who want to learn the fundamentals of system operation and operating a boat safely and with confidence. In this course, we focus on essential skills such as steering, engine control, docking, maneuvering in tight spaces, and navigation. Our experienced instructors will guide you through practical exercises, ensuring you gain the confidence needed to handle a smaller boat on your own. We believe that hands-on experience is the best way to learn, so expect to spend plenty of time behind the wheel.

Our Advanced Boat Handling Skills Course is designed for owners with vessels between 24 - 35 ft with twin engines. It takes what is covered in the boat handling skills course and includes additional navigation, twin engine maneuvering scenarios to better equip you and increase your confidence for more complex situations. These include backing into a dock slip, intentional beaching and sand-bar mooring, use of a second anchor, tying up next to another boat, securing to a mooring buoy such as when snorkeling, safely departing from and entering an inlet, 

This training module will also include additional systems review and more advanced GPS uses to include setting up waypoints and routes and if your vessel is equipped with an auto-pilot, how the two can be used together.

Our large boat and yacht owner skills course builds upon previous experience or the Basic and Advanced Boat Handling Courses. This course is designed for those skippers wanting to upgrade to a larger vessel with more complex systems, where boat handling characteristics are different, and close quarter maneuvering and docking skills are vital to the safe and enjoyable operation of your vessel.If you are already proficient with the basic and advanced skills above, we will customize your training to prepare you for larger boat operation.

Additionally, many insurance providers require additional training and sign-off from a licensed captain before they will allow you to operate the vessel on your own without a captain on-board.  We can provide that to your insurance provider once you have demonstrated required competency.