Catamaran Sailing Confidence | Online Course

Everything You Get with this Course

• Learn how to sail large catamarans on your own or on a bareboat charter
• Available immediately online: start learning today at your own pace.
• Duration: Approximately 6 hours, self-paced—learn at your own speed.
• Unlimited Access: Lifetime access lets you review course materials anytime. Course updates are free.
• Free Stuff: All NauticEd sailing students receive 2 free courses (Basic Sail Trim and Nav Rules), a free eLogbook and Boating Resume, and special discounts from our industry partners.
• Languages: The catamaran course is offered in English and French.
• Recognition: Upon successful completion, you receive immediate recognition on your sailing resume that verifies for charter and insurance companies that you've completed the course.
• Qualification & Endorsement: This course leads to additional qualification and endorsement for bareboat charters (see below for details).
• Convenient Formats: Take the course on your desktop or laptop—and tablet or mobile phone using the free NauticEd App.
• Highly Recommended: Trusted by charter companies for those planning a catamaran sailing vacation.
• View an excerpt from the Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course

Does this course prepare for Catamaran Bareboat Charter Credentials?

Yes! Below are the details on different levels of recognition, qualification, and endorsement that are typically required and accepted by charter companies:

1. When you pass the Catamaran Course online course you'll automatically receive recognition on your sailing resume that you have satisfied the theory-knowledge requirements to sail a catamaran.
2. When the Catamaran Course is completed in addition to the Bareboat Charter Master bundle of courses, and if you have a minimum of 50 days of qualifying experience* logged into your eLogbook, then you receive a Catamaran Qualification on your sailing resume. This demonstrates that you have the theory-knowledge, skill, and experience to competently charter a catamaran.
3. Complete the above #2 and get assessed by a NauticEd instructor on a Catamaran, and you'll also receive a Catamaran Endorsement on your sailing resume. For charter companies, an instructor’s endorsement is “verified competence” that you can competently handle a catamaran on a bareboat charter.

You can learn about NauticEd’s qualified experience requirements, certifications, licenses, and endorsements here.

Next Steps after Your Online Course

1. Connect with an Instructor Near You. After completing the Catamaran Confidence Course, continue your training on the water with a certified NauticEd instructor near you. This practical step can earn you the Catamaran Endorsement.
2. Level up your training. If you haven't already, take the Bareboat Charter Master bundle of courses to round out your skills for near-coastal sailing and bareboat chartering— or add electives—docking, nav, weather—so you’re comfortable in more conditions.
3. Plan a NauticEd Sailing Vacation. Put your skills to work on the water. Through NauticEd’s sailing vacation program, you can explore premier destinations with confidence, knowing you’re backed by the training, certifications, and credentials that charter companies respect.
4. Get licensed with the SLC. The SLC is NauticEd’s international license; complete the theory and practical sign-offs and you’re set for most major charter fleets. With both online and on-water training complete, you’ll hold the license required to skipper yachts abroad.

About NauticEd

NauticEd is the leading provider of modern sailing education, combining online sailing courses with accredited on-water instruction. With over 300,000 students worldwide, NauticEd is the only U.S. sailing body recognized for meeting U.S. Coast Guard and NASBLA standards under the American National Standards for boating education. 

Our online courses pair with on-water training, and your free eLogbook and sailing resume track each milestone. Whether you’re starting out or working toward higher endorsements, NauticEd gives you a clear, standards-aligned way to grow real skills.

Catamaran Course Authors

The Catamaran Sailing Confidence Course was co-authored by several experts in sailing catamarans throughout the world: Nick Harvey of Lagoon Catamarans and Captain Grant Headifen, 50 Ton USCG Master Mariner and Director of Education for NauticEd. Additional guidance and input were provided by George Day, Publisher of Blue Water Sailing Magazine and Multihull Quarterly Magazine.

By Nick Harvey
Beneteau Group Director

By Grant Headifen
NauticEd Global Director of Education