Captain education

kbarrett

New Member
May 25, 2009
31
Apopka, FL
Boat Info
260 Sundancer Navmann 5500 GPS
Engines
erc 6.1 Bravo III
I would be very Interested in an online Captains class. Im not interested in charters,just the real boating education. Is the Captains class what should be looking for? I want to know what Im doing, and to teach my family as well. Safety, fun and true knowledge is what I need. I welcome the advice.
 
Contact the Florida Marine Patrol and ask them about their on line or correspondence course. It is extremely well written and, if you pass it, you will know the rules of the road and basics concerning safety and equipment.

But nothing beats experience and just talking with experienced boaters.
 
Contact the Florida Marine Patrol and ask them about their on line or correspondence course. It is extremely well written and, if you pass it, you will know the rules of the road and basics concerning safety and equipment.

But nothing beats experience and just talking with experienced boaters.

I'll second that statement Frank. +1
 
There is a convenience factor with online courses, but I found that when I did the course live I learned a lot from the questions asked by my fellow classmates.
 
You really need both a formal class and on the water experience. For example, I have never known anyone who has thoroughly learned the Rules of the Road without sitting down and studying them. I have also never known anyone who can dock a boat by reading how from a book. The answer is BOTH.

California has an excellent online course and its only 30 bucks. The laws are pretty much the same as your state and the rest of the material is exactly the same.

http://www.boat-ed.com/ca/index.htm

or

I believe this one is free:
http://www.dbw.ca.gov/BoaterInfo/BoatSafeCourse.aspx
 
Last edited:
Florida's course was free several years ago. It also satisfied the state licensing requirement. I required that my kids both take the course and they "bet" me they could beat my score, so I took it along with them. It is the best prepared course materila you will see for a correspondence type course. Even though it is "open book" you will not pass it without comprehending the rules of the road and Fl safety regs.
 
thank you Frank. I will start with them. I can always count on the forum.
 

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