An Introduction to Power Boating – How to Get Certified

Getting out on the open water as the captain of your own powerboat is an amazing feeling. And it’s a lot easier to do than you might think! Becoming nationally certified is easy with an experienced teacher at your side. Yachts4Fun is one of the few powerboat certification courses available on the west coast, which makes us experts in teaching people how to become powerboat captains. So, what will you learn and what is required when signing up to take our powerboat passport certification courses? Here are a few facts about the program that will give you an idea of what to expect:

Is there an advantage to becoming certified on the national skill based standards?

Yes! It means you can bareboat charter powerboats just about anywhere in the United States from other charter companies who accept national certification.

How long is a Powerboat Passport session (lesson)?

Each session is two to three hours in duration and designed to cover the national skill-based standards for that specific lesson. In some cases, the session may take longer than two hours, and if time allows the instructor can stay longer to cover the material for that session.

Will I need more lessons after taking all the sessions of the Powerboat Passport program?

It’s possible, and can happen when more than 2 or 3 people are sharing the helm. Most importantly, it depends on your confidence and ability to safely operate and maneuver the vessel. Each session covers specific maneuvers for that lesson’s skill set. What we find interesting, and what usually happens, is that after taking all the sessions in the course, the students will ask to retake a specific lesson (say docking) to improve their confidence.

I just bought a boat – can you give me powerboat lessons on my boat?

Yes, we can give you powerboat lessons on your vessel and teach you how to operate it, making sure you’re comfortable at the helm.

Who teaches the ‘on the water’ courses?

Any of our USCG licensed captains and certified instructors using the national skill-based standards for powerboats.

Do I receive a certificate of completion for the lessons given?

Yes, we will issue a certificate of completion for the individual parts you successfully complete. And for National certification, each person is required to purchase their own study materials ($150 a set) and pass the written and skill-based tests for all Powerboat Passport sessions.

We encourage you to watch our Powerboat Passport Video Lessons for more information on each course. If you have any questions, give us a call! We love answering questions about powerboating! We hope to get you out on the water soon!

Watch our Youtube videos.