Which Sailing or Powerboat Course should I take?

NauticEd's course and certification/ranking platform is dynamic, fully comprehensive, and is the best of the best. If you are truly seeking competence in boating, then you're following the right pathway. Our system allows you to focus your time and efforts on your specific boating goals.

This page quickly lets you identify which courses you should be taking. To learn more about certification and licensing, please refer to Sailing Certification from NauticEd. For the SLC international licensing courses, jump here.

Many courses are available in discounted Course Bundles, which are curated based on specific boating goals. OR, you can purchase courses individually - your choice! If you purchase an individual course and decide to upgrade to a bundle later, then the course is automatically credited from the bundle price.

Jump to a pathway to see recommended courses (or just browse all below).

Powerboating Ranks, Certifications, and Licensure

Sailing Online Course Pathways

Beginner Sailor

For new sailors who want to get started in sailing – or just give sailing a try. The beginner sailor pathway provides students with the fundamental theory and knowledge to begin actively participating in sailing.

The Introduction to Sailing Bundle of courses:

Qualified Crew - Sail

For sailors wanting to learn how to become a knowledgeable and competent crew member. Actively contribute as a crew member on a keelboat from 25 ft to 55 ft (7.5m to 17m).

Skipper Small Sailboat (Keelboat)

Learn the theory and knowledge to competently and safely skipper small sailboats up to 25ft. The Skipper Small Keelboat pathway covers everything you need: learning to set the sails, steering and maneuvering skills, outboard engines, understanding how to be a true leader on a sailboat, and much more.

The Skipper Small Sailboat Bundle of courses:

Skipper Large Sailboat (Keelboat + optional Catamaran)

Large Keelboats allow for longer distances and sailing in diverse conditions. A comprehensive sailing pathway for beginners 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 and the myriad of helm, engine, and system options.

The Skipper Large Sailboat Bundle of courses:

Bareboat Charter Master - Sail

Gain the knowledge needed for yacht chartering, multiday and near coastal sailing adventures. NauticEd's Bareboat Charter Master bundle of courses train all aspects of multiday sailing: international navigation rules and buoys, sailing techniques, boat management and systems, boat handling, coastal navigation, electronic navigation, and more. To gain the Certification, you will also need to log 50 days of sailing experience in your past history in your NauticEd logbook.

Required for the SLC International License.

The Bareboat Charter Master Bundle includes these courses:

SLC - Sail (International Sailing License and Credentials)

The SLC is required for sailing in the Mediterranean and Seychelles and is also accepted worldwide. It is simple to get if you have experience.

For SLC-p (power) jump here


*Note: Read more about the SLC requirements. Always check all licenses with your charter agent prior to booking. Go to NauticEd Charter Agency

RYA Day Skipper

This is the RYA Day Skipper Theory Online Course and includes the necessary knowledge to confidently skipper a sailboat (28ft and greater) in coastal waters and qualify for the ICC (note that for North Americans, the SLC is a more accessible sailing license to gain due to the availability of SLC assessing instructors and the SLC serves exactly the same purpose as the ICC).

Captain Offshore Sailing

Designed for seasoned sailors seeking to sail offshore, this comprehensive pathway equips you with the knowledge to sail confidently through offshore challenges.

The Captain Offshore Sailing Bundle of courses:

Powerboating Online Course Pathways

Skipper Small Powerboat

Skipper Large Powerboat

Bareboat Charter Master - for Powerboats

Gain the knowledge needed for power yacht chartering, multiday and near coastal sailing adventures. NauticEd's Bareboat Charter Master bundle of courses for powerboats train all aspects of multiday sailing: international navigation rules and buoys, docking techniques, boat management and systems, boat handling, coastal navigation, electronic navigation, and more. To gain the Certification, you will also need to log 50 days of boating experience in your past history in your NauticEd logbook.

The Bareboat Charter Master for Powerboats Bundle of courses:

Powerboat SLC-p (International Sailing License and Credentials)

The SLC-p is required for powerboating in the Mediterranean and is also accepted worldwide.

*Note: the SLC-p requires an on-water practical assessment. Read more about the SLC-p requirements.


*Note: Read more about the SLC-p requirements. Always check all licenses with your charter agent prior to booking. Go to NauticEd Charter Agency

If while taking the course, you encounter issues or have specific recommendations, then please feel welcome to email us directly at info@nauticed.org. One of the great strengths of NauticEd's online courses is that we are continuously updating and refining the materials - for us it's just adding a few lines of code, and voila the course is updated.