americas boating course

Become a Better Boater With America's Boating Course

Taking a boating class reduces your risk of accidents and injuries, saves you money on boat insurance, and qualifies you for a state boat license or operator certificate in most states.

America’s Boating Course is the most comprehensive, single source, in-person boating course available to give you the skills you need to enjoy your time on the water and boat with confidence. Available in both English and Spanish, our boater safety class meets most states’ certification requirements.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Information about your State Boating Laws, regulations, boat registration, and licensing.
  • Required boating safety equipment
  • Do’s and Don’ts of boating safely
  • Practical Knowledge of navigation and rules of the road
  • How to handle medical emergencies onboard and mechanical problems on the water
  • The basics of towing and trailering
  • Special important information for hunters, anglers, and sports enthusiasts.

For the best, most comprehensive boating education available, take America’s Boating Course with an expert instructor near you or take America’s Boating Course or one of our other online courses.

 

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This course is also available online.

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Boating on Rivers, Locks and Lakes

Learn the locking, boat handling, and navigation skills you need to boat on major inland waterways.

 

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Confidently boat in safe water in fickle rivers, develop the special skills you need to deal with currents and shallows, know how to maneuver through locks, and learn the correct ways to maneuver in the presence of commercial vessels when you are boating on major inland waterways.

What's included?

  • Special navigation rules for rivers
  • The Western Rivers System of buoys and marks
  • River currents
  • "Reading" a river
  • Jetties and wing dams
  • Intricacies of locking through
  • Communicating with lockmasters and bridge tenders

 

 

 
 
 

Boat Handling Under Power

Boat Handling Under Power course cover book with a power boat underway

Learn how to depart, dock, and handle different types of boats while looking like a pro.  Learn the different types of propulsion, steering, and trimming so you can develop proficiency in handling your vessel in rough seas and maneuvering in close quarters. The seminar materials include a Student Guide with slide images and complete notes.  A copy of the waterproof Captain's QuickGuide Boat Handling under Power is optionally available. 

What's included?

  • How to operate powerboats and sailboats under power
  • Close quarters maneuvering
  • Handling
  • Propulsion
  • Types of steering
  • Jet drives
  • Turning
  • Steering in reverse
  • Single and twin screw
  • Docking
 

 

Skills

Boat Handling Skills

  

Time

Approximately 2 hours

Cost

Varies; members get a discount

 

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How to Use GPS

Know where you are and where you are going using GPS. Learn how to use GPS, select and use GPS devices, and apply GPS to your navigational needs.

Use Your GPS Like An Expert

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Boaters need the most reliable location and position information available, which makes getting the most out of your Global Positioning System pretty important. Learn how to use waypoints, build and execute routes, and monitor progress. Learn to interpret location information and tracking data, and get an overview of how GPS integrates with your boat’s electronic systems. Explore what features you need and how to arrange your display. Also get tips on connecting your GPS to your VHF marine radio, which opens up a new world of digital hailing and distress signaling.

 

Boaters need the most reliable location and position information available, which makes getting the most out of your Global Positioning System pretty important. Learn how to use waypoints, build and execute routes, and monitor progress.  Learn to interpret location information and tracking data, and get an overview of how GPS integrates with your boat’s electronic systems. Explore what features you need and how to arrange your display. Also get tips on connecting your GPS to your VHF marine radio, which opens up a new world of digital hailing and distress signaling. 

 

Find This Seminar Near You

This seminar can also be taken online.

Take This Seminar Online

 

Using Nautical Charts

How to use a Chart course book cover

Learn the basics of reading and using a nautical chart for safe boating whether you’re cruising, going fishing, or just out for the day.  Charts include must-have information, including bottom contours, hazards, and aids to navigation, to help you travel safely.

What's included?

  • What charts show navigators above the water
  • Chart features
  • Chart scales
  • What charts show navigators below the water
  • Aids to navigation
  • Latitude and longitude
  • Planning your course
  • What's in your way
 

Find This Seminar Near You

This seminar is also available online.

Take This Seminar Online

 

Weather for Boaters

Don't let bad weather ruin your day! Learn to forecast and predict the weather.

 

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Learn to recognize the early signs of changing weather; how to anticipate storms, squalls, fog, and wind shifts; and become familiar with basic weather elements and how they affect your boating experience.

What's included?

  • What causes weather
  • How weather systems move
  • Why winds blow
  • What clouds tell us
  • How storms and fronts create foul weather
  • Why fog forms
  • Where to get the best professional forecasts
  • How to refine them using your own observations
 

 

 

 
 

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