“Behind the Wheel” & Challenge Test-out
This 8- to 12-hour hands-on, on-the-water course is for anyone who has taken a classroom boating course but needs experience to safely operate a small motorboat and improve their boathandling skills. Students will be expected to study the course materials at home to challenge and pass a written exam covering equipment requirements, rules of the road, aids to navigations, preparation, environment regulations, safety and emergencies. This course focuses on hands-on application of all skills, consequently it is NOT approved by the U.S. Coast Guard or the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) as meeting requirements for a state boating safety education certificate. Students learn:
On-the-Water Sessions
- Engine & electrical systems
- Starting procedures
- Docking
- Leaving & returning to a slip
- Close-quarters maneuvers
- Anchoring
- Steering a range
- Proceeding to a destination
- Person in Water rescue
Classroom Sessions
- Safety, prep & weather briefings
- Maneuvering concepts
- Challenge test-out
Prerequisites: State Boating Education certificate recommended
Suggested Age: 18–adult
Certification(s) Earned: Safe Powerboat Handling certificate