Skipper Large Keelboat Rank

The reward of learning to sail large keelboats is sailing faster, further and in diverse weather conditions. In many ways, being on the water on a large sailboat is the ultimate freedom! You're only limited by how well you develop the knowledge and skills to command a large boat.

Learn
on-the-water
and online

The knowledge online + your school's on-the-water training is designed to provide you with the most comprehensive training available. Learn at your own pace and test knowledge online, and when on-the-water you'll be fully immersed in learning skills and gaining experience with qualified and experienced instructors.

What you will learn

Knowledge & skills for longer distances and overnight sailing in diverse conditions. The comprehensive Skipper Large Keelboat Practical Sailing Course is for beginner to intermediate sailors wanting to learn how to sail larger sailboats 26ft to 56ft. While many sailing skills and principles are universal, sailing larger sailboats requires additional training and skills to handle the increased power, speed, and weight; as well as the myriad of helm, engine and system options.

But this is only the start. Gaining big boat experience is paramount to getting you completely comfortable, confident, and competent operating a large boat in environmental conditions that can change in an instant. NauticEd's Rank and Level program tells you how you are doing and when you are ready to rank up to the next certification of Bareboat Charter Master.

  • Weather and Sea Conditions
  • Electrical Systems
  • Auxiliary Power
  • Rigging: Standing and Running
  • Rules of the Road
  • Sailing
  • Communications & Navigation
  • Anchoring and Mooring
  • Coping with Emergencies
  • Beginner to advanced maneuvering skills
  • How to dock a large sailboat
  • How to use prop walk to your advantage
  • How to maneuver a sailboat in a tight marina with high winds
NauticEd student Guide

NauticEd Student Guide

Learn all about NauticEd courses, certifications and more.

View our Student Guide

Certification

Upon successfully passing the online knowledge testing and practical training assessment, and logging appropriate experience, you'll earn the NauticEd Skipper Large Keelboat Rank certification.

Assessment: Knowledge and theory competence are assessed online, whereas instructors assess skills and on-the-water competency continually during training or separately and according to a rubric to meet standards. View the Skipper Large Keelboat on-the-water assessment rubric.

Certificate Nautical competence
American national standard badge

Training you can trust

NauticEd is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard as conforming to the American National Standard for sailing training and assessment. NauticEd's sailing license exceeds the United Nations (UNE) resolution 40 ICC competence standards for yacht charter and is accepted by port authorities worldwide.

Get started today

NauticEd training begins with theory & knowledge courses online, which you complete at your own pace, and then practical on-the-water training and assessment with an affiliated school or private instructor.

Get started with the knowledge-theory online portion of the course

Purchase the Skipper Large Keelboat course bundle and get started immediately online! If new to NauticEd, you will also receive 2 free bonus courses and an electronic logbook.

Search for schools and private instructors

Find a practical on-the-water training program near you or explore training in more exotic destinations.