Safe Powerboat Handling, 2026

EARLYBIRD PRICE: $475
Discount is available for up to one month before each session, for example, discount for April 11 class ends on March 11.

REGULAR PRICE: $500

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Are you excited about learning how to operate a boat safely and building your on-the-water boat handling skills? Get out of the classroom and behind the wheel! Taught by experienced, certified instructors, this two-day course is the most comprehensive safe boating course available, combining theoretical classroom knowledge with hands-on demonstrations, lessons and on-the-water drills. Whether you are a beginner or experienced powerboat driver, this course will make you a better boater!

TOPICS COVERED: Classroom topics: boats, motors and terminology; registration and legal requirements; safety equipment and procedures; rules of the road; basic navigation; emergency procedures and rendering assistance; fueling, launching and trailering; weather, and more! Dockside and on-the-water skills: operations checklists; engine troubleshooting; leaving and returning to a dock or slip; slow and high-speed boat handling and close-quarters maneuvering; towing; person-in-the-water recovery; anchoring; and more!

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE: Anyone who is looking to learn to operate a powerboat safely and improve on-the-water boat handling skills.

CERTIFICATIONS GRANTED: US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Certification and New York State and NASBLA-approved equivalent to New York State Boating Safety Certification

PREREQUISITE: None

SKILL LEVEL: All levels

AGES: 10 years old and up. Students younger than 13 should attend with a parent or adult.

SCHEDULE: Two-day, 16-hr course, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM; custom-scheduled courses available.
*Please contact waterfront@sunymaritime.edu if you’d like to set up a custom course at your location or ours!

COURSE MATERIALS PROVIDED: US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling textbook, review questions, and logbook

LOCATION: SUNY Maritime College's campus at 6 Pennyfield Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465. Public transit and free on-street parking are available.