On-The-Water Courses
Nationally Accredited Hands-On Boating Courses
Experience high-quality, professional boating training at Greater Annapolis and Kent Narrows, MD, or during Annapolis Boat Shows. Private instruction is also available in Maryland and Virginia. All courses are led by USCG-licensed captains who are also certified US Powerboating and National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) instructors, ensuring expert guidance and a safe, supportive learning environment.
Why Choose Us:
We provide personalized, hands-on instruction aboard our new training boats or your own vessel, giving every student the skills and confidence to enjoy boating safely. Our professional instructors make learning approachable and fun. Small class sizes provide a lot of helm time and students learn practical skills to retain and use in real life boating scenarios.
Course dates and times vary by location. Gift Vouchers are available — see schedule for details.
Module 1: Introduction to Powerboating
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle Speed | 3 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | National Safe Boating Council Curriculum | Students aged 12+
Safety & Pre-departure
Basic Navigation
Centering the wheel
Shifting gears
Stops
Anchoring
Station Holding
This course focuses on the essentials of close-quarters boat control. It is taught by a USCG licensed captain who is also an NSBC Instructor aboard our 21’ or 23’ training vessel.
$245
Module 2: Precision Docking & Boat Handling
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle Speed | 3 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | National Safe Boating Council Curriculum | Students aged 12+
Safety & Pre-departure
Basic Navigation
180-degree turnarounds
Docking on port & starboard
Departing and returning to the dock
Using S.C.A.N. procedures
This course builds upon the skills of Module 1 and continues to focus on the essentials of close-quarters boat control with an emphasis on more docking and fine tuned boat handling. It is taught by a USCG licensed captain who is also an NSBC Instructor aboard our 23’ training vessel.
$245
Module 3: Open Water Boat Handling
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 3 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | National Safe Boating Council Curriculum | Students aged 12+
Safety & Pre-departure
Basic Navigation
Utilizing boat trim
Displacement & Planning
Ferrying
Emergency Stops
This course builds upon the essentials of close-quarters boat control and focuses on open water boat control at idle, displacement and planing speeds. It is taught by a USCG licensed captain who is also an NSBC Instructor aboard our 23’ training vessel.
$245
Module 4: Open Water Advanced Maneuvering
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 3 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | National Safe Boating Council Curriculum | Students aged 12+
Safety & Pre-depature
Basic Navigation
Crossing waves and wakes
Person overboard retrieval
Sharp turning on plane
Advanced avoidance
This course builds upon the skills learned in Open Water Boat Handling and focuses on advanced maneuvers at idle, displacement and planing speeds. It is taught by a USCG licensed captain who is also an NSBC Instructor aboard our 23’ training vessel.
$245
NEW! 4 Hour Refresher Course
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 4 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | National Safe Boating Council & US Powerboating Curriculum | Students aged 12+
Pre-requisite: Must have completed Modules 1, 2 and 3 or the 8 or 16 hour Safe Powerboat Handling Course. This is only for CBA Students who have already completed the NSBC or USPowerboating curriculum. For exceptions to be considered, contact Sarah: (410) 829-5057.
Safety & Pre-departure
Navigation Underway
Close Quarters Boat Handling
Docking Approaches & Departures
Knots and line handling
Utilizing boat trim and trim tabs
Open Water Planing
This refresher course builds upon the essentials of close-quarters boat control, docking and focuses on open water boat control at idle, displacement and planing speeds. It is designed for students who have already taking prior courses to sharpen their skills or provide extra practical boat handling. It is taught by a USCG licensed captain who is also an NSBC and/or USPowerboating Instructor aboard our 23’ training vessel.
$300
Nav1: Essential Marine Navigation
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 8 or 16 Hour Course Formats | 4:1 Student to Instructor | US Powerboating Curriculum | Students aged 12+ | Certification: US Sailing Navigation 1 Certification upon passing | Required: Students must purchase and download the Navionics Boating app (Navionics subscription not included- the free Navionics will not suffice for the course). | $650 or $1050
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.
Women Making Waves
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 3 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | Women Only Course | Female Captain Instructor | National Safe Boating Council Curriculum | Students aged 12+
This women’s only 3 hour course is offered in all 4 of the 3 hour NSBC modules. You can take Women Making Waves in: Intro to Powerboating, Precision Docking & Boat Handling, Open Water Boat Handling and Advanced Open Water Boat Maneuvering. It is taught by a female USCG licensed captain who is also an NSBC Instructor aboard our 24’ training vessel.
$245
US Powerboating Course: Accelerated Safe Powerboat Handling
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 8 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | USPowerboating Material, Logbook and Certification Included | Students aged 12 + | $650
Safety, prep & weather briefings
Maneuvering concepts
Challenge test-out
Basic Navigation
Engine & electrical systems
Starting procedures
Docking
Leaving & returning to a slip
Close-quarters maneuvers
Anchoring
Steering a range
Proceeding to a destination
Open Water Boating
Engine Trim and Tab control
Planing
Person in Water rescue
This 8 hour hands-on, on-the-water course is for anyone who has taken a classroom boating course but needs experience to safely operate a powerboat and improve their boat handling skills. Students will be expected to study the course materials at home and pass a written exam covering equipment requirements, rules of the road, aids to navigations, preparation, environmental regulations, safety, and emergencies. The US Powerboating, “Start Powerboating Right!” course book will be mailed to you prior to that start of the course. This is a fun, full day course- we often go by boat to a waterfront restaurant to enjoy lunch together and review for our test. Upon completion, students earn a US Powerboating Logbook with a certification sticker.
US Powerboating: Safe Powerboat Handling NASBLA Course
Single Engine Boat | Skills at Idle & Planing Speed | 16 Hour Course | 4:1 Student to Instructor | Earn Your Boating Safety Certification AND Safe Powerboat Handling certification | Students aged 12+ | $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
Open Water Boating
Planing
Engine Trim & Tab Control
Person in Water rescue
Currently only offered at our Kent Narrows Location This 16-hour hands-on, on-the-water course is for anyone who wants to learn how to safely operate a small motorboat and improve their boat-handling skills. No previous experience is required! The US Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have approved this course and an increasing number of states have recognized it as meeting their requirements for a State Boating Education Certificate. These states include: CA, CT, FL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, NC, OR, Puerto Rico, RI, VA, WA. If you do not live in one of those states, we will issue you a certification card from Maryland since this is where the course was taught.
If you were born after July 1, 1972, you are required to have your Boaters Safety Card when boating- this course meets those certifications AND gets you your Safe Powerboat Handling Certification, an accredited US Powerboating course.
The US Powerboating, “Start Powerboating Right!” course book will be mailed to you prior to that start of the course as well as review questions. Please go over prior to arriving. The days will be a mixture of classroom and on-water training. This is a fun, 2 day course- we often go by boat to a waterfront restaurant to enjoy lunch together and review for our test. Upon completion, students earn a US Powerboating Logbook with a Safe Powerboat Handling certification sticker as well as their Boating Safety Education Card. This course is taught aboard our 23’ training boat at both of our locations.
Private Lessons On Your Boat or Ours
Customized on-water training available aboard your vessel or our training boats. Instructor comes to your location and works with you aboard your boat or you come to our training boat to build on-water confidence focusing on specific skillsets to meet your needs.
3 hour minimum
Prices CLICK HERE
Please call or text Capt. Sarah with any questions: (410) 829-5057 or email: training@boatingacademy.net
Courses for everyone
Professional On-The-Water Powerboat Training in Maryland
Chesapeake Boating Academy offers comprehensive, hands-on powerboat training designed to help recreational boaters and marine professionals operate safely and confidently. Whether you’re new to boating or want to improve your docking and maneuvering skills, our structured On-The-Water Training Modules provide the real-world experience you need.
Every course is taught by USCG-licensed captains who are also certified NSBC and US Powerboating Instructors, ensuring expert instruction backed by nationally recognized standards. Our curriculum follows the American National Standard for powerboat handling, verified through an independent third-party assessment process.
Students learn core competencies including:
Safety gear and pre-launch checklists
Docking techniques
Close-quarters maneuvering
Open-water operation
Advanced boat handling and control
Skill progression at idle, displacement, and planing speeds
Our training is designed to be approachable, practical, and confidence-building—ideal for new boat owners, seasoned boaters seeking refinement, and personnel operating vessels for marine patrol or professional use.
For the best learning experience, start with Module 1 and continue through Modules 2, 3, and 4. For US Powerboating, you can sign up as a new or experienced boater.
General Cancellation Policy
Chesapeake Boating Academy has the highest commitment to quality courses with small instructor to student ratios. Due to the specialized nature of these courses we book our certified instructors and licensed captains in advance and are unable to issue refunds for cancellations made less than 14 days prior to the scheduled course. Our rescheduling and refund policy is set forth below. When registering, you can add Purchase Protection at checkout- this is recommended.
More than 14 days notice: Chesapeake Boating Academy will reschedule you for another course or will issue you a coupon code for use in the future. Chesapeake Boating Academy may also issue you a full refund to your credit card if desired.
Less than 14 days notice: Chesapeake Boating Academy will issue you a coupon code for the full value of the purchased course for another course offered at Chesapeake Boating Academy
Less than 7 days notice or no notice: Chesapeake Boating Academy not be able to offer any refund or credit.
Chesapeake Boating Academy will do everything possible to avoid having to cancel or postpone courses. There may be times when this will be unavoidable; student safety is paramount and is at the forefront of any decision made.
Weather postponements: If a course date needs to be cancelled or postponed due to unsafe weather or due to another event outside of Chesapeake Boating Academy’s control, a full refund or transfer to another course at the student’s choosing will be offered.
In the unlikely event that courses are cancelled on the day they are scheduled to take place the final decision will rest with the Chesapeake Boating Academy administrator or designated person in charge. In this scenario the student will be issued with their choice of a full refund or a credit for another course.
No refunds or compensation will be offered to students beyond the full cost of the course. Extraneous expenses incurred by the student such as hotel, travel, parking and other costs are not covered under this cancellation policy.
If you are unable to participate in a course for which you have signed up, or wish to change your registration to another date or location, please get in touch with Chesapeake Boating Academy via telephone (410) 829-5057 or email Training@BoatingAcademy.net as soon as possible.