Know how to use your VHF marine radio. You’ll need it in an emergency and for important ship-to-ship communications.

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Marine radios provide boaters the best and most reliable communication on the water. Marine radios have many advantages over cell phones, especially in an emergency. Learn about the digital selective calling (DSC) rescue feature as well as everyday uses such as to secure a marina slip, call for bridge openings and much more. You'll also get tips on purchasing and installing VHF to get the most out of your investment.

What's included?

• How VHF radios work and their controls
• Using the correct channels
• Using correct procedures and terminology
• Advanced methods of communication
• How digital selective calling (DSC) equipped radios work and their controls

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Engine Maintenance

Every skipper needs to understand the fundamentals of gas and diesel engines to perform basic maintenance and diagnose problems underway. Learn about different engines, transmissions, propellers, and steering. Get the knowledge you need to keep your boat in tiptop shape.

What's included?

• Basics of engine configuration and operation for gasoline inboards, outboards, and diesels
• Mechanical systems such as drive systems (propellers), steering systems, and engine controls
• Repairs that do-it-yourselfers can perform
• Diagnose problems that might be beyond your ability to fix
• How to share information with your mechanic so the right repairs get performed

Engine Maintenance can be taught in ten two-hour sessions including time for review and the multiple-choice closed book exam.

Find a Course Near You

Welcome aboard America’s Boating Club^®!

Your boating home on the water.

Regardless of where you operate your powerboat, whether you are a beginner or an experienced boater, America’s Boating Club^® has a course or seminar created just for you! Our goal is to help you build your powerboating skills to make your time on the water not only fun but also safe and rewarding.

At America’s Boating Club, you’ll find a course or seminar designed to build your boating skills for where you do your boating, whether freshwater lakes and rivers or coastal and offshore waters. If you are a beginning boater, we’ll help you get certification to operate your boat that is accepted in most States. We can teach you how to dock and operate your boat easily and safely. Would you like to learn more? We can help you learn about things like weather, engine maintenance, GPS, and other electronic navigation devices, how to use a VHF radio to communicate and call for emergency assistance, and much more. And these courses may qualify you for boat insurance discounts as well!

Click on the links below to find courses and seminars that are either online or available at a local club/squadron near you.

COURSES FOR POWER BOATING

SEMINARS FOR POWER BOATING

ONLINE BOATING EDUCATION

EDUCATION OVERVIEW

All Boating Seminars

Get Your Feet Wet With Seminars

Round out your knowledge or discover something new by taking one of our brief, boating education seminars led by experienced volunteer instructors.

Boat Handling

• Anchoring With Assurance
• Boating on Rivers, Locks and Lakes
• Boating with Confidence
• Confidence in Docking and Undocking
• Emergencies on Board
• Knots and Line Handling
• Rules of the Road

Electronics

• How to Use GPS
• AIS Electronics for Boaters
  
• Introduction to Marine Batteries

Navigation

• Introduction to Navigation
• Using Nautical Charts
• Mariner’s Compass
• Rules of the Road
  
  

Facing the Environment

• Weather for Boaters
• Hurricane Preparation for Boaters
• Tides and Currents
• Marine Weather Forecasting: The 500 Millibar Chart

Safety

• Fuel and Boating
• Crew At The Helm
• Man Overboard
• Propane Systems On Your Boat
• All About Marine Radio
  

Techniques

• Paddle Smart
• Trailering Your Boat
  

Cruising

• Crossing Borders
• Cruising Boats and Systems
• Planning Your Cruise

Hands-On Training

• Hands-On Training (in select areas)

ALL BOATING COURSES

ONLINE BOATING EDUCATION

All Boating Courses

Beginner, intermediate or advanced — whatever your skill level, our in-depth boating education courses will boost your knowledge and confidence on the water.

• America’s Boating Course gives you the basics you need to get out on the water safely, and it meets most state boating education requirements.
  
  
• Boat Handling builds your competence and confidence on the water with an in-depth look at the practical boating skills.
  
  
• 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 a knowledge of winds, currents and tides.
  
  
• Offshore Navigation and Celestial Navigation, a must for oceangoing captains, teach you about planning and monitoring your voyage using modern marine electronics and how celestial observations can help you estimate your vessel’s position with confidence.
  
  
• Cruising Under Power and Sail 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 radios and communication options.
  
  
• 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, marlinespike, helmsman ship, and handling of difficult conditions.
  
  
• Weather is a detailed study of the causes of weather, various types of storms, clouds, and predicting weather
  
  

ALL BOATING SEMINARS

ONLINE BOATING EDUCATION