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Beginner powerboating

AB 101 Certification

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Our two-day Basic Powerboat course is the first step toward confident, independent operation of a recreational powerboat. The course is structured to welcome complete beginners while challenging those with some prior experience, rewarding every student with both practical skills and a deeper understanding of safe seamanship.

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Each day blends classroom learning with extended on-the-water practice. In the classroom, you’ll spend focused sessions learning boating terminology, safety practices, and the fundamentals of navigation. Topics include boat types, hull shapes, propulsion systems, safety equipment, and the responsibilities of both skipper and crew. These discussions translate the material from the Powerboating Made Easy textbook into clear, real-world context.

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On the water, you’ll have three to four hours of hands-on instruction each day. Here, theory comes alive as you learn to handle docking, mooring, maneuvering, and navigating safely in light to moderate conditions. Guided practice builds muscle memory in throttle control, steering, and situational awareness, while also preparing you for emergencies and safe gear stowage.

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By the end of the course, you will not only understand how a powerboat works but also how to operate one responsibly. Graduates of AB 101 are certified to handle recreational powerboats of appropriate size, equipped with the knowledge to identify hazards, use essential safety equipment in compliance with USCG and local regulations, perform fueling and engine procedures, and interact safely with other vessels under the rules of the road.