80+ 5 STAR GOOGLE REVIEWS

What people are saying.

  • Captain Adam provided exceptional instruction and support during our recent boat commissioning. As new owners of a larger vessel, we greatly appreciated his calm and insightful approach. Despite challenging circumstances, including heavy traffic and the significant distractions of a nearby air show, Captain Adam expertly guided us, offering specific praise for our focus under pressure. His 'astronaut test' analogy for maintaining concentration during crucial moments was particularly insightful and a valuable lesson. He also addressed a minor docking issue with patience and reassurance, emphasizing that such things are a normal part of the learning curve. Captain Adam clearly articulated the three fundamental principles of large boat operation – spatial awareness, momentum, and delayed response – which have already proven incredibly helpful. Furthermore, Captain Adam was wonderful in including and encouraging my wife, Laurie, in the learning process, ensuring she feels confident as first mate. Overall, Captain Adam’s expertise, clear communication, and encouraging demeanor have made the transition to owning our new boat a much smoother and more positive experience. We highly recommend his services to anyone seeking professional and supportive boat instruction.

    - Robert Brodsky, May 2025

  • Five Stars Just Isn’t Enough for Chesapeake Boating Academy’s 16-Hour Safe Powerboat Handling Course From the moment I stepped onto the dock, I knew this wasn’t going to be your average safety course. First, let’s talk about Captain Sarah — a maritime legend in her own right, a powerhouse of knowledge, mixing in-depth theory and regulations with tons of practical, real-world experience. She made everything clear, engaging, and even fun. The planing drills out on open water? Nothing beats the wind in your face, the roar of the engine, and the sheer adrenaline rush all under calm, capable, and kind coaching. Now, you might think a safety course would be all rules and no fun — enter Oscar, the man-overboard puppet. This floating felt hero was tossed overboard more times than I could count, greatly developing our rescue skills. #JusticeForOscar And at the end of the training when we received our certificates and Sarah said: “The worst part is having to say goodbye to such a nice group,” — we all melted. A perfect mix of fun, learning, and unforgettable moments — highly recommend!

    -Niels van Eybergen, May 2025

  • I took four on-water courses from CBA at the Annapolis Power Boat Show, ranging from boating basics to advanced open-water maneuvering. The instructors were top notch--extremely knowledgeable, experienced, and a pleasure to work with. They were masters at positive reinforcement and constructive criticism. I can't recommend CBA highly enough for boating beginners or more experienced boaters who need a refresher. And it was a heckuva a lot of fun, to boot!!!

    — Joseph Stanik, October 2024

  • CBA was great from start to finish. Capt Sarah was very responsive in scheduling my training. Capt Rob who trained me, was very patient and thorough. I am so happy I took their course and feel more confident driving my boat on the water now. I highly recommend CBA to anyone looking to gain more skills and knowledge of driving their boat.

    -Veronica Valle, May 2025

  • This was a great experience and the perfect foundation for getting comfortable with boating in a controlled environment. Capt. Ken is awesome!

    -Michael Masters, May 2025

  • Very well organized educational course on basic boat handling. When we were done, I felt much more confident to get out on the water. The docking course is a must have!

    -Keith Summers, June 2024