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Advanced powerboating

AB 103 Certification

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Our AB 104 Advanced Powerboat course is designed for boaters ready to take on the challenges of multi-day cruising and coastal waters. Building on the skills of AB 103, this course prepares you to skipper larger powerboats between 30 and 45 feet in moderate to heavy conditions, giving you the confidence to plan and lead extended trips or bareboat charters.

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Classroom sessions emphasize the advanced planning and decision-making required for longer passages. You’ll study provisioning strategies, fuel and power management, boat system maintenance, and heavy weather preparation, all with guidance from the Advanced Powerboating textbook. Lessons also cover advanced navigation techniques, including GPS and coastal chart plotting, to ensure safe and accurate course planning.

On the water, you’ll spend several hours each day practicing complex seamanship skills. These include multiple-anchor mooring, advanced docking, coastal navigation, and emergency drills that simulate real-world challenges in open water. Each exercise strengthens your ability to handle a vessel with authority and keep crew and passengers safe in demanding conditions.

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By the end of AB 104, you’ll be certified to skipper 30- to 45-foot powerboats on multi-day journeys, confidently navigating to unfamiliar harbors and anchorages. Graduates leave with the seamanship, technical expertise, and judgment required to command extended coastal adventures safely and efficiently.