When you learn from us, you learn from the best. As the nation’s oldest and most respected provider of recreational boater education, United States Power Squadrons, America’s Boating Club, offers instruction by boaters, for boaters. Our volunteer instructors have been there, done that, and learned from their mistakes so you won’t have to. We offer low-cost online, in-person, and on-the-water training. In addition, we offer many free resources to help you make the most out of your time on the water.
Online Boating Education
Learn the basics…
When you’re just starting out, America’s Boating Course can get you ready to hit the water in a hurry. In many states, you can get a boating card by taking our course and a state boating test. Check the boating laws in your state.
… and build your boating skills
Our virtual learning center offers online boating courses, seminars, and webinars to help you become a better boater while learning at your own pace. Whether you boat on inland lakes, ply coastal waters, or long to cruise to exotic locales, we’ve got training to get you where you’re going.
In-Person Boating Education
For more than 100 years, the gold standard of boater education has been America’s Boating Club’s comprehensive in-person courses taught at a club in your area. Local clubs offer a variety of courses ranging from Boat Handling and Engine Maintenance to Sail and Celestial Navigation. What’s more, in-person and blended-learning classes allow you to learn from experienced boating mentors eager to share their wealth of boating experience and local knowledge.
On-The-Water Boating Education
A one-day powerboat training class at our Tavares, Florida, Learning Center provides a blend of small group classroom instruction with one-on-one coaching at the helm. You’ll learn valuable on-the-water skills and exercises you can practice every day. Then, you’ll be ready to show off those boating skills at the marina or launch ramp.
Taught by local clubs, the Jump Start Program provides free personalized instruction on your boat by skilled boaters to get you acquainted with your new or new-to-you boat. Learn more at a club near you.
Free Boating Resources
In addition to the trove of boating articles in our online The Ensign magazine, we hope you’ll take advantage of our other free resources—suitable for boaters of all skill levels.
America’s Boating Compass
Our free newsletter, America’s Boating Compass, offers practical advice to boaters at every skill level in quick easily digestible bites delivered right to your inbox. Check out our series of knot-tying videos like how to tie a round turn with two half hitches, and use the form below to subscribe today!
America’s Boating Channel
An award-winning boating video hub, America’s Boating Channel features a continuously updated trove of boater education and safety videos for boaters and boating skills educators like this one: “Stopping a Boat On Plane.”
Take advantage of all our free videos, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Become a safe boating advocate
Boating accidents, injuries, and fatalities rose 25% in 2020, likely due to an influx of new boaters. Sadly, many lack the knowledge or skills they need to keep themselves and others safe.
That’s where you come in. By becoming a Boat Live 365 advocate, you can help promote a safe boating culture year-round. It’s easy! Visit Boat Live 365, download free educational materials and share them with your community of boaters—online or IRL.
Visit our resource library for tips and ideas on how to make everyone safer on the water.