1.  Safety

2. Boating Basics

3. Understanding Navigation Rules

4. Pre-Departure Checklist

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U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

1. Search and Rescue (SAR)

2. Safety Inspections and Education

3. Navigation Support

4. Law Enforcement 

5. Environmental Protection  

   6. Licensing and Certification        

We will walk around the boat and discuss parts of the boat to ensure you will have  a basic understanding and be comfortable. Familiarity reduces intimidation and confusion. We’ll look at key elements, the bow, stern, port, starboard, helm, bilge, running lights, throttle, brakes (there are NO BRAKES on a boat), cleats, and more.

I will instruct you how to steer and control the boat at slow speeds, how wind will affect your docking, we will practice with you at the helm; stopping, turning, backing, until you have the basic understanding and basic self-confidence. You will receive knowledge by watching then applying the skills shown, we will walk through the steps. I will teach how to operate either your boat or my boat. This will be reinforced into step-by-step instruction together.

Boats have traffic rules too! I’ll explain the basics of who has the right of way. Channel markers, what they mean, how to understand them. What is Red Right Return, we will discuss this meaning.  Today most people do not know about actual nautical charts, we will discuss electronic charts, how to read them. Where to go and why. We will discuss sand bars. Anchors, different types, how many, and the how to.

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What should you do and when. How to secure your lines to a dock? What is a line? What about tides? How often to wash the boat and when? What is flushing your engine and why? Should you flush your engine (s)? Inboards vs outboards? Why do you bottom paint your boat? Is there anything you can do in between bottom painting? When should you service your motors? What is the condition of your dock?

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