EDUCATION COURSES

We teach boating skills which lead to safety on the water. If you are a new or experienced boater and would like to learn more about safe boating, consider taking a boating course.

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AMERICA'S BOATING COURSE

America's Boating Course

ABC Course and FL Boating Safety ID Card

The America’s Boating Course (ABC) is a boating safety skills course that is Florida state and NASBLA approved.  The course is designed to build your boating skills for where you do your boating, whether freshwater lakes and rivers or coastal and offshore waters.  Our instructors specialize in the Clearwater, Florida coastal area.  Successful completion of the course qualifies a person for a Boating Safety Education ID Card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This card plus a photo ID is required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 to operate a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or greater. Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who have successfully complete the course. Students can register for a class course on-line and purchase a class using the link in the below table.  Course purchases are non-refundable.  Course topics are taught in the classroom:

  • Getting Started - nautical terms
  • Required Safety Equipment
  • Going Boating - fueling, casting off, underway.
  • Navigation Rules
  • Lights & Sound Signals
  • Anchoring
  • Navigation Aids
  • Government Regulations
  • State and Local Regulations
  • Finding Your Way - Nautical Charts / Electronic Nav
  • Adverse Conditions and Emergencies
  • Communications Afloat
  • Water Sports Safety - Skiing, Fishing, Paddling
  • Trailering
  • PWC Operation
  • Clearwater Coastal Area Boating Tips/Information

America's Boating Course Classes

4 May 2024

1 Jun 2024

13 Jul 2024

ADVANCED COURSES

Advanced boating courses increase your boating skills and knowledge.  You can start with the Boat Handling Course and advance all the way to the Advanced Pilot level.

Boat Handling Course

Boating Handling Course

This advanced Boat Handling course is intended for recreational boaters who have completed a basic boating class and want to gain more knowledge, skill, and confidence to boat safely and have more fun in a variety of situations.  Course purchases are non-refundable. Course topics are taught in the classroom:

  • Rules of the Road: A Practical Approach
  • Docking/Undocking: Slow-Speed Maneuvering
  • Boating Confidence: Handling Your Boat Under Way
  • Anchoring with Assurance: Don’t Get Carried Away
  • Emergencies Onboard: Prep - Common Issues
  • Knots/Line Handling: The Knots You Need to Know

Boat Handling Classes

Contact for Date(s)

Marine Navigation

Marine Navigation Course

This advanced Marine Navigation course (previously called the Piloting course) gives 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. You learn the essentials of safe coastal and inland navigation using basic GPS in conjunction with charts and other marine data. The also learn how to use the GPS along with traditional dead reckoning techniques for planning and laying out safe routes, as well as ensuring that you are on-course while underway.  Course topics are taught in the classroom:

  • Charts and their interpretation
  • LandmarksNav Aids (buoys, day marks, lights, etc.)
  • Plotting Courses & Determining Direction & Distance
  • Mariner’s Compass & Converting True/ Magnetic
  • Use of GPS – basic GPS displays and information they provide, setting up waypoints and routes, staying on a GPS course
  • Pre-planning courses and entering them into the GPS
  • Monitoring progress and determining position by both GPS and traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
  • “Seaman’s Eye” – Skills checking you're on course

Marine Navigation Classes

Contact for Date(s)