America’s Boating Course®
America’s Boating Course provides you with basic boating knowledge to decide what type and size boat you need, what to do when meeting another boat in a crowded waterway, and how to recognize and handle hazards.
This course is offered as a classroom course or as an interactive, online home study course for people whose schedule and obligations would make it difficult to attend a classroom course. Successful completion meets the boating education requirements for operator licensing in most states.
Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete America’s Boating Course. And, this course provides a sound basis for continuing your recreational boating education. Become a more competent boater, learn from the best, and enroll in America’s Boating Course today.
Whats Included:
- Types of boats and their uses
- Boating laws, both federal and state
- Safety equipment, both required and recommended
- Finding your way, and adverse conditions
- Communications
- Optionally, introduction to electronic navigation using paper charts and chartplotters
Seminars
Round out your knowledge or discover something new by taking one of our brief, boating education seminars led by experienced volunteer instructors. Some of our seminar are listed under the following topics:
- Boat Handling
- Electronics
- Navigation
- Facing the Environment
- Safety
- Techniques
Advanced Courses:
Beginner, intermediate or advanced, whatever your skill level, our in-depth boating education courses will boost your knowledge and confidence on the water.
Boat Handling - Builds your competence and confidence on the water with an in-depth look at the practical boating skills. Includes six seminars.
Marine Navigation and Advanced Marine Navigation - Give you the skills you need to get where you're going using charts and marine electronics as well as knowledge of winds, currents, and tides.
Offshore Navigation and Celestial Navigation - A must for oceangoing captains, teaches you about planning and monitoring your voyage using modern electronics and how celestial observations can help you estimate your vessel’s position with confidence.
Cruising and Cruise Planning - Prepares you for a multi-day voyage.
Engine Maintenance - Gives you information on how engines work and basic maintenance procedures, as well as how to recognize problems.
Marine Electrical Systems - Provides information on alternating and direct current, as well as boat electrical systems.
Marine Communication Systems - Explains the different types of marine radios and communication options.
Electronic Navigation - Gives you basic information on the various electronic devices available today that help you navigate and select routes.
Radar for Boaters - Gives you basic information on RADAR.
Sail - Lets you learn about basic sailboat designs and nomenclature, rigging, and safety from experienced sailors. Then tackle the physical aspects of all forces and techniques, sail applications, marlinspike, helmsman ship, and handling of all difficult conditions.
Weather - A detailed study of the causes of weather, various types of storms, the clouds and predicting weather.