We built this site to help people interested in learning about the different options available to them. Choosing the right program can create a positive experience for you and your family that opens up the world of safe recreational boating. There are many things to consider when choosing a boating school here is a short list of questions to ask before reading any further:
- What type of waterway will you be boating on? Rivers, lakes, ponds, sounds, and oceans all present different challenges for safe boat operations. Obviously going to a white water rafting class will not help you prepare for sailing in the open ocean. Decide what type of boat school you would like to attend. For most people, and the purposes of this site, we will assume you would like to obtain basic boating skills on a power or sailboat in the 20-50 foot range.
- What type of vessel do you plan to operate? For most of us the initial choice comes down to choosing a sailboat or powerboat. This is a very personal question, and one mariners have debated since the first steam powered ships began to ply our waterways. Power boaters generally like to move from one destination to another in relative speed, and then relax and enjoy the destination once there. Sailors tend to like to enjoy the ride more and often spend the majority of their time on board getting to where they are going, or just cruising around. After you make the power or sail decision picking the right boating school will become much easier.
- How much time do you have to spend? The length of courses offered by different boating schools can vary greatly. Some offer single day classes where graduates receive state approved safe boating certificates, while others offer weeks long live aboard cruising courses.
- What is your budget? Some day long classes offered by your local USCG Auxiliary may cost only 20 or 30 dollars while more involved boat schools can cost tens of thousands. Having a budget in mind for your boating future can also determine what you look for. Learning how to pilot a mega yacht will not be of much use to you if you can only afford a canoe!
- What will you do with your skills when you have finished the boating school? Do you plan to buy a small boat and use it locally, or would you like to charter a yacht in the Caribbean? Are you taking the class to pass a local or state regulation for a boating license? Would you like to earn a certificate from a nationally accredited school?
One of the options we suggest investigating while considering these choices are local boat clubs like WindPath Fractional Yachting. These types of clubs offer programs in your local area on various sizes of sail and power boats, often including a boating school in the cost.
