Registration

Registration

This 16-hour hands-on, on-the-water course is for anyone who wants to learn how to safely operate a powerboat and improve their boat handling skills on actual boats. The US Coast Guard has approved this course and recognizes it as a standard in boat handling. Classroom sessions and on-the-water sessions totaling six to eight hours each, covering required education topics in which students learn: On-the-Water Sessions Starting procedures Docking alongside Close-quarters maneuvers Steering a range Proceeding to a destination Person in Water rescue Engine & electrical systems Classroom Sessions Safety, prep & weather Maneuvering concepts Registration & capacities Equipment requirements Prep & fueling procedures Navigation and rules of the road Aids to navigation Environmental regulations Prerequisites: none Ages 13+ Certification(s) Earned: US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling 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

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

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

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

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

Course is offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6pm -9pm and all day Saturday. For the details, please visit our website.

Registration

For those looking to bareboat or cruise the world Embark on the Center Helm experience in the British Virgin Islands, where successful completion of this week-long, hands-on course will not only make you the captain of your next island-hopping vacation but will also earn you all the certifications needed to bareboat in the US, Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. Throughout the on-water program, you will acquire essential skills to charter and efficiently operate a motor yacht globally. Acting as both captain and crew, you'll navigate a live-aboard power catamaran through the beautiful BVI waters, building both confidence and credentials to cruise in new and unfamiliar locations. No prior experience is required—just a passion for learning and a desire to explore the waters. On-the-Water Sessions: Advanced docking Leaving & returning to a slip Picking up & dropping a mooring ball Anchoring Dense harbor maneuvers Open water boat control Intermediate anchoring Securing a large vessel Advanced navigation Tender operation Classroom Sessions: Liveaboard marine systems Inboard engine checks Twin-screw maneuvering concepts Emergency procedures Deck Safety COLREGS Tides & Currents Clearing Customs & Immigration Provisioning Prerequisites: none Ages: 21+ Certification(s) Earned: Basic Powerboat Cruising Inshore Powerboat Cruising International Proficiency Certificate© (required for chartering in the European Union)

Registration

For those looking to bareboat or cruise the world Embark on the Center Helm experience in the British Virgin Islands, where successful completion of this week-long, hands-on course will not only make you the captain of your next island-hopping vacation but will also earn you all the certifications needed to bareboat in the US, Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. Throughout the on-water program, you will acquire essential skills to charter and efficiently operate a motor yacht globally. Acting as both captain and crew, you'll navigate a live-aboard power catamaran through the beautiful BVI waters, building both confidence and credentials to cruise in new and unfamiliar locations. No prior experience is required—just a passion for learning and a desire to explore the waters. On-the-Water Sessions: Advanced docking Leaving & returning to a slip Picking up & dropping a mooring ball Anchoring Dense harbor maneuvers Open water boat control Intermediate anchoring Securing a large vessel Advanced navigation Tender operation Classroom Sessions: Liveaboard marine systems Inboard engine checks Twin-screw maneuvering concepts Emergency procedures Deck Safety COLREGS Tides & Currents Clearing Customs & Immigration Provisioning Prerequisites: none Ages: 21+ Certification(s) Earned: Basic Powerboat Cruising Inshore Powerboat Cruising International Proficiency Certificate© (required for chartering in the European Union)

Registration

For those looking to bareboat or cruise the world Embark on the Center Helm experience in the British Virgin Islands, where successful completion of this week-long, hands-on course will not only make you the captain of your next island-hopping vacation but will also earn you all the certifications needed to bareboat in the US, Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. Throughout the on-water program, you will acquire essential skills to charter and efficiently operate a motor yacht globally. Acting as both captain and crew, you'll navigate a live-aboard power catamaran through the beautiful BVI waters, building both confidence and credentials to cruise in new and unfamiliar locations. No prior experience is required—just a passion for learning and a desire to explore the waters. On-the-Water Sessions: Advanced docking Leaving & returning to a slip Picking up & dropping a mooring ball Anchoring Dense harbor maneuvers Open water boat control Intermediate anchoring Securing a large vessel Advanced navigation Tender operation Classroom Sessions: Liveaboard marine systems Inboard engine checks Twin-screw maneuvering concepts Emergency procedures Deck Safety COLREGS Tides & Currents Clearing Customs & Immigration Provisioning Prerequisites: none Ages: 21+ Certification(s) Earned: Basic Powerboat Cruising Inshore Powerboat Cruising International Proficiency Certificate© (required for chartering in the European Union)