Bay Bridge Boat Show Registration CLICK HERE

Official Partner of BoatUS On-Water Training at the Bay Bridge Boat Show at Safe Harbor Narrows Point April 17-19, 2026

Boat Show Special- $225 per course and FREE entry to the boat show on day of course. Offering: 3 hour hands-on boating courses: Intro to Boating, Women Making Waves: Intro to Boating, Precision Docking & Boat Handling, Open Water Boat Handling

Single Engine Boat | 4 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | Students aged 12 + | $300

*Refresher Course Prerequisite: Module 1, 2 & 3 or Safe Powerboat Handling Courses (8 or 16 hour)*

Refresher - For CBA Students who have taken Mod 1, 2 & 3 or Safe Powerboat Handling at Chesapeake Boating Academy. This course is a 4 hour hands-on review of close-quarters maneuvering, docking and open water planing skills to get you ready for another season on the water. The focus is on practical boat handling and draws from our NSBC & US Powerboating courses. This course is not in place of the others- its purpose is to review and practice already learned maneuvers.

Course Description: Navigation 1 – Essential Marine Navigation

Chesapeake Boating Academy’s Navigation 1 (Nav1) Essential Marine Navigation Course teaches you how to safely plan and navigate daytime trips within sight of land using modern electronic navigation. You’ll learn key navigation concepts, route planning, time and distance calculations, fuel and weather considerations, tidal planning, and how to create a reliable backup navigation plan if your primary device fails.

This practical, hands-on course is designed for both powerboaters and sailors as paper charts continue to be phased out. Training includes classroom instruction and on-the-water practice using GPS and onboard navigation equipment. Students should bring an iPad or smartphone with the Navionics Boating App (subscription not included).

Course Format Options

• 16-Hour Course (2 Full Days):
  Ideal for new students or anyone who has not completed our 16-hour Safe Powerboat Handling Course. This option provides the full instructional experience with added time for practice and mastery.

• 8-Hour Course (1 Full Day):
  Available only to students who:
  • Are adding Nav1 as a third-day option immediately following our 16-hour Safe Powerboat Handling Course, or
  • Have previously completed the 16-hour Safe Powerboat Handling Course and wish to return for Nav1 on its own.

Details

• Duration: 8 or 16 hours

• Cost: $650 (8-hour) or $1,050 (16-hour)

• Class Size: Maximum of 4 students

• Age: 12+

• Certification: US Sailing / US Powerboating Navigation 1 certification (upon passing)

• Required: Students must purchase and download the Navionics Boating app. Required: Students must purchase and download the Navionics Boating app (Navionics subscription not included- the free Navionics will not suffice for the course)

Master modern navigation skills in a fun, supportive, and highly interactive learning environment—right here at Chesapeake Boating Academy.

Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle Speed | 3 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | Students aged 12 + | $245

*Great for beginners & boaters looking to refresh their foundational boating skills*

Basic Navigation

Pre-departure checklist

Centering the wheel

Shifting gears

Station Holding

Anchoring

Ferrying

$225

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Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle Speed | 3 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | Students aged 12 + | $245

Basic Navigation

Safety & Pre-departure

180-degree turnarounds

Docking on port & starboard, lines

Departing and returning to the dock

Using S.C.A.N. procedures

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Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 3 Hour Course |4:1 Student to Instructor | Students aged 12+ | $245

Basic Navigation

Safety & Pre-departure

Utilizing boat trim

Displacement & Planning

Ferrying

Emergency Stops

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Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 3 Hour Course 4:1 Student to Instructor | Students aged 12+ | $245

Basic Navigation

Safety & Pre-departure

Crossing waves and wakes

Person overboard retrieval

Sharp turning on plane

Advanced avoidance

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Single Engine Boat | 3 Hour Course 4:1 Student to Instructor | Students aged 12+ | $245

Women’s only 3 hour hands-on course taught by a woman Instructor-Captain. Women Making Waves is offered for all 4 modules: Intro to Boating, Precision Docking, Open Water & Advanced Open Water. See the 3 Hour Course Schedule to pick between each module.

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Private on-water training aboard your vessel with an Instructor-Captain. You can view details and pricing: HERE. Please call or text Capt. Sarah to discuss details if you have questions: (410) 829-5057

Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 8 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | Students aged 12+ | Combined Classroom & On-Water Course | US Powerboating material & certification included | $650

Safety, prep & weather briefings

Maneuvering concepts

Challenge test-out

Engine & electrical systems

Starting procedures

Docking

Leaving & returning to a slip

Close-quarters maneuvers

Anchoring

Steering a range

Proceeding to a destination

Person in Water rescue

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This 8-hour hands-on, on-the-water course is for anyone who will be using powerboats to perform safety and rescue functions. It is designed for regatta personnel, marine patrols, police and fire rescue personnel, park rangers, and on-the-water sailing instructors and coaches. $650

Pre-requisite: Safe Powerboat Handling Course

Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 16 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | Students aged 12+ | Combined Classroom & On-Water Course | US Powerboating material & certification included | NASBLA & US Coast Guard approved course- students will receive their state-specific boating education certificate and Safe Powerboat Handling certification | $1050

Safety, preparation & weather

Maneuvering concepts

Registration & capacities

Equipment requirements

Preparation & fueling procedures

Navigation rules of the road

Aids to navigation

Environment regulations

Engine & electrical systems

Starting procedures

Docking

Leaving & returning to a slip

Close-quarters maneuvers

Anchoring

Steering a range

Proceeding to a destination

Person in Water rescue

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Gift Vouchers can be purchased for any amount. Once purchased, a code will be generated that can then be used when registering for the course. Gift Vouchers allow the recipient to pick their own course and schedule. If you would like a customized PDF Gift Voucher, please email us with the persons name and any details and we will email it to you. You can email us at: Training@BoatingAcademy.net. Gift Vouchers can be purchased on our 2025 Course Schedule.