Registration

Start Powerboating Right on our fleet vessel, a 32ft single-engine Trawler. We’re pleased to offer this 4-day course with optional Night Operations. This live-aboard experience is designed for those who are exploring ownership of a cruising boat, preparing to complete America’s Great Loop, or those who wish to build their cruising portfolio for charter. Our small class size accommodates 2 people max per class. Our course provides a blend of classroom and on-the-water instruction focusing on skill mastery of the US Powerboating curriculum. Upon successful completion of the BPC and IPC, you’ll have the opportunity to take your cruising competence to the next level by extending your course into a 2-day bareboat charter for two in the picturesque cruising grounds within reach of our well-appointed marina and experience the cruising lifestyle for yourself. Visit our website for more information on this course and our complete schedule of available US Powerboating courses from May through October, annually. Give us a call to explore the ways in which you can customize our course to fit your cruising goals!

Registration

Ready to take the helm with confidence? This hands-on course is designed for anyone who wants to safely operate a cruising powerboat and sharpen their boat-handling skills. Over the course of 16 hours, you’ll split time between engaging classroom learning and real on-the-water training aboard a full-sized yacht. Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as a standard in boat handling, this certification is your gateway to bigger boating adventures—whether that means docking confidently in Chicago’s busy harbors or preparing for your first charter in the islands. On the Water, You’ll Learn: How to start and handle engines and onboard systems Docking and maneuvering in tight quarters Steering ranges and navigating to destinations Person-in-water rescue techniques Real-world yacht systems and safety checks In the Classroom, You’ll Cover: Safety, preparation, and weather essentials Navigation rules and aids to navigation Equipment requirements and fueling procedures Environmental regulations and best practices Course Details: No prerequisites required – beginners welcome Ages: 18+ Certification Earned: US Powerboating Basic Powerboat Cruising Certificate When you finish, you won’t just know the theory—you’ll have the confidence, hands-on skills, and a nationally recognized certification to back it up.

Registration

Start Powerboating Right on our fleet vessel, a 32ft single-engine Trawler. We’re pleased to offer this 4-day course with optional Night Operations. This live-aboard experience is designed for those who are exploring ownership of a cruising boat, preparing to complete America’s Great Loop, or those who wish to build their cruising portfolio for charter. Our small class size accommodates 2 people max per class. Our course provides a blend of classroom and on-the-water instruction focusing on skill mastery of the US Powerboating curriculum. Upon successful completion of the BPC and IPC, you’ll have the opportunity to take your cruising competence to the next level by extending your course into a 2-day bareboat charter for two in the picturesque cruising grounds within reach of our well-appointed marina and experience the cruising lifestyle for yourself. Visit our website for more information on this course and our complete schedule of available US Powerboating courses from May through October, annually. Give us a call to explore the ways in which you can customize our course to fit your cruising goals!

Registration

This 16-hour on-the-water course is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to operate a small motorboat and improve their boat-handling skills safely. No previous experience is required!* The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have approved this course. An increasing number of states have recognized it as meeting their requirements for a State Boating Education Certificate. ?? Prerequisites: None, no experience necessary! Suggested Age: 13+ ?? Certification Earned: US Sailing/US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Certificate

Registration

Registration

Start Powerboating Right on our fleet vessel, a 32ft single-engine Trawler. We’re pleased to offer this 4-day course with optional Night Operations. This live-aboard experience is designed for those who are exploring ownership of a cruising boat, preparing to complete America’s Great Loop, or those who wish to build their cruising portfolio for charter. Our small class size accommodates 2 people max per class. Our course provides a blend of classroom and on-the-water instruction focusing on skill mastery of the US Powerboating curriculum. Upon successful completion of the BPC and IPC, you’ll have the opportunity to take your cruising competence to the next level by extending your course into a 2-day bareboat charter for two in the picturesque cruising grounds within reach of our well-appointed marina and experience the cruising lifestyle for yourself. Visit our website for more information on this course and our complete schedule of available US Powerboating courses from May through October, annually. Give us a call to explore the ways in which you can customize our course to fit your cruising goals!

Registration

Explore the exciting world of powerboat cruising with this US Powerboating course in Chicago. This hands-on program offers comprehensive training and certification, equipping you with the essential skills needed for long-distance cruising or chartering boats, including those in picturesque locations like the British Virgin Islands and Croatia. Navigate Chicago's iconic waterways under expert guidance, mastering the art of inshore powerboat cruising. Join Center Helm for an immersive learning experience and embark on your journey to becoming a certified bareboat operator. On-the-Water Sessions Advanced docking Advanced anchoring Picking up & dropping a mooring ball Radar observation Nighttime open water & harbor navigation Emergency procedures Engine & yacht systems Classroom Sessions Tides & currents Clearing customs at a foreign port International navigation Menu planning & provisioning Environmental regulations Prerequisites: Basic Powerboat Cruising Ages 18+ Certification(s) Earned: US Powerboating Basic Powerboat Cruising, US Powerboating Night Navigation Endorsement, and an International Proficiency Certificate.

Registration

Start Powerboating Right on our fleet vessel, a 32ft single-engine Trawler. We’re pleased to offer this 4-day course with optional Night Operations. This live-aboard experience is designed for those who are exploring ownership of a cruising boat, preparing to complete America’s Great Loop, or those who wish to build their cruising portfolio for charter. Our small class size accommodates 2 people max per class. Our course provides a blend of classroom and on-the-water instruction focusing on skill mastery of the US Powerboating curriculum. Upon successful completion of the BPC and IPC, you’ll have the opportunity to take your cruising competence to the next level by extending your course into a 2-day bareboat charter for two in the picturesque cruising grounds within reach of our well-appointed marina and experience the cruising lifestyle for yourself. Visit our website for more information on this course and our complete schedule of available US Powerboating courses from May through October, annually. Give us a call to explore the ways in which you can customize our course to fit your cruising goals!

Registration

Ready to take the helm with confidence? This hands-on course is designed for anyone who wants to safely operate a cruising powerboat and sharpen their boat-handling skills. Over the course of 16 hours, you’ll split time between engaging classroom learning and real on-the-water training aboard a full-sized yacht. Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as a standard in boat handling, this certification is your gateway to bigger boating adventures—whether that means docking confidently in Chicago’s busy harbors or preparing for your first charter in the islands. On the Water, You’ll Learn: How to start and handle engines and onboard systems Docking and maneuvering in tight quarters Steering ranges and navigating to destinations Person-in-water rescue techniques Real-world yacht systems and safety checks In the Classroom, You’ll Cover: Safety, preparation, and weather essentials Navigation rules and aids to navigation Equipment requirements and fueling procedures Environmental regulations and best practices Course Details: No prerequisites required – beginners welcome Ages: 18+ Certification Earned: US Powerboating Basic Powerboat Cruising Certificate When you finish, you won’t just know the theory—you’ll have the confidence, hands-on skills, and a nationally recognized certification to back it up.

Registration

Start Powerboating Right on our fleet vessel, a 32ft single-engine Trawler. We’re pleased to offer this 4-day course with optional Night Operations. This live-aboard experience is designed for those who are exploring ownership of a cruising boat, preparing to complete America’s Great Loop, or those who wish to build their cruising portfolio for charter. Our small class size accommodates 2 people max per class. Our course provides a blend of classroom and on-the-water instruction focusing on skill mastery of the US Powerboating curriculum. Upon successful completion of the BPC and IPC, you’ll have the opportunity to take your cruising competence to the next level by extending your course into a 2-day bareboat charter for two in the picturesque cruising grounds within reach of our well-appointed marina and experience the cruising lifestyle for yourself. Visit our website for more information on this course and our complete schedule of available US Powerboating courses from May through October, annually. Give us a call to explore the ways in which you can customize our course to fit your cruising goals!

Registration

Explore the exciting world of powerboat cruising with this US Powerboating course in Chicago. This hands-on program offers comprehensive training and certification, equipping you with the essential skills needed for long-distance cruising or chartering boats, including those in picturesque locations like the British Virgin Islands and Croatia. Navigate Chicago's iconic waterways under expert guidance, mastering the art of inshore powerboat cruising. Join Center Helm for an immersive learning experience and embark on your journey to becoming a certified bareboat operator. On-the-Water Sessions Advanced docking Advanced anchoring Picking up & dropping a mooring ball Radar observation Nighttime open water & harbor navigation Emergency procedures Engine & yacht systems Classroom Sessions Tides & currents Clearing customs at a foreign port International navigation Menu planning & provisioning Environmental regulations Prerequisites: Basic Powerboat Cruising Ages 18+ Certification(s) Earned: US Powerboating Basic Powerboat Cruising, US Powerboating Night Navigation Endorsement, and an International Proficiency Certificate.

Registration

Start Powerboating Right on our fleet vessel, a 32ft single-engine Trawler. We’re pleased to offer this 4-day course with optional Night Operations. This live-aboard experience is designed for those who are exploring ownership of a cruising boat, preparing to complete America’s Great Loop, or those who wish to build their cruising portfolio for charter. Our small class size accommodates 2 people max per class. Our course provides a blend of classroom and on-the-water instruction focusing on skill mastery of the US Powerboating curriculum. Upon successful completion of the BPC and IPC, you’ll have the opportunity to take your cruising competence to the next level by extending your course into a 2-day bareboat charter for two in the picturesque cruising grounds within reach of our well-appointed marina and experience the cruising lifestyle for yourself. Visit our website for more information on this course and our complete schedule of available US Powerboating courses from May through October, annually. Give us a call to explore the ways in which you can customize our course to fit your cruising goals!

Registration