Skipper Small Powerboat | Online Course

Rating is 4.90 (based on 3 reviews).

Learn to Skipper Small Powerboats

** NEW COURSE April 2025** Master the knowledge and skills needed to look like a pro when operating powerboats 26ft and under with inboard, stern, or outboard drive systems, nearshore, and in moderate to rough conditions. This comprehensive course covers everything from docking in all wind and current situations, give way and operating rules, close quarter maneuvering, navigation, to handling emergencies. Master small powerboats with confidence and competence. Follows the American National Standards as prescribed by the USCG. Or, see our large powerboat (26ft or more) course here.

Estimated time: 10 hours
Price: ~~$95~~ $65.00

This course follows the American National Standards for on-water safe boating - Powerboats, which has been approved by the American National Standards Institute. It also follows international standards.

The Skipper Small Powerboat online boating course is designed to teach you all the theory, knowledge, and strategies necessary to safely and competently command large powerboats that are 26ft or under, nearshore, and in moderate to rough conditions. The course covers multiple power plants, including inboard shaft drive, stern, outboard drive, or jet drive powerboats. Whether you are a beginner or intermediate powerboater, this comprehensive powerboat course is essential; including maneuvering, anchoring, navigation basics, electronics, and handling emergencies.

Topics covered in the Skipper Large Powerboat Course

Maneuvering and Docking
Slip Departure and Return
Using Spring Lines
Motoring at Speed
Coping with Emergencies
Weather and Sea Conditions
Hull Designs
Engines and the various drive systems
Rules of the Nautical Road
Communications
Navigation
Anchoring and Mooring

We guarantee both your satisfaction AND Lifetime access to any sailing course you buy from us.

More about the online Skipper Small Powerboat course

Learn to competently operate small powerboats up to 26 ft with this comprehensive online boating course
Available immediately online
Extensive and essential knowledge for operating at the beginner / intermediate levels for inboard engine powerboats 26 ft (8m) and below
This boating course takes approximately 10 hours of total time to complete
Take as long as you need to complete
Return as many times as you like to review
You may take the tests anytime and as many times as you like online via browser or offline via our mobile app. See our sailing apps page
Adds the Skipper Small Powerboat Course to your Boating Certificate and Resume
This course follows the American National Standards EDU-1 for sailing training
View Skipper Small Powerboat Course excerpts

This is an ONLINE course and test that is viewable in your browser window. The course pages are mobile-friendly. Thus you can review on any of your devices - computer, tablet, or phone.

Today's Investment: ~~$95~~ $65

Receive immediate access to this Online Boating Course >

Not convinced yet that online sailing courses are cool? Visit our fully interactive and completely free Navigation Rules Course. You'll see why online e-learning is SO MUCH BETTER than a boring old Book.

Upon completion, you will feel confident that you know the theory of what to do when in command of a small powerboat. And if you're new to the fun of boating, you'll look like a pro in front of your hands-on, on-the-water instructor.

Are you ready to "get your feet wet" and feel the exhilaration of boating? Then let's get started!

The test is reasonably simple as long as you have read the material. You can take the test as many times as you like to pass or improve your score without any extra cost. Once passed you are awarded the NauticEd Skipper Small Powerboat Certificate and Rank and you'll be on your way to building your boating competency resume, which can be used with boat rental companies worldwide. And the great thing is that once you've registered, you can log back in for life for FREE to review the material and brush up your skills. We're constantly updating the course and adding information on new technologies as they emerge, so for just $49 - you'll always be up to date.

If you still have questions about NauticEd, the courses, and/or the boating certifications, just ask our automated intelligent support system a question or contact us via email or phone we're happy to help. Otherwise, register for the Skipper Small Powerboat Course now and enjoy your new adventures to come!

Learn all the theory of powerboating in the comfort of your home at your own pace with NauticEd. Register for the Skipper Small Powerboat Course now!

Instructor Grant Headifen
By Grant Headifen
NauticEd Global Director of Education

View Skipper Small Powerboat Course excerpt

List Price: ~~$95.00~~ Price: $65.00 You Save: $30.00 (32%)

Excerpt from the course

Expand Excerpt from the course

Already we have introduced you to a lot of information about boating - probably more than you thought. Well, hold onto your hat because this is the module you probably thought you signed up for - maneuvering your boat competently. Consequently, the topic of maneuvering and docking is the largest in this course.

This particular module covers general maneuvering - outside the marina. To lean a little on Pink Floyd's Meat and Pudding lyrics:

If you don't learn maneuvering you canna dock your boat.
How can you dock your boat if you canna do maneuvering!

Therefore this module is about making your boat do what you tell it to do using a combination of gears, throttle, and steering. No amount of holding your tongue sideways will help. To learn to maneuver less expensively, stay away from the marina at first. The following pages present real live exercises to gain confidence and competence in maneuvering.

Check out this animation on how to get into a slip with a heavy following wind.

Collapse Excerpt from the course

Sea talk testimonials

Thanks for your quick reply. I like your approach based on sound theory and emphasis on the practical skills (my approach too in my area of work). Thanks for the link to the article and for the time you take to answer my questions. Be assured that I will recommend NauticEd far and wide (and also to our local sailing school).

Roger A, Student