Private Powerboat Lessons From Basic To Advanced

Fast Track Yourself To Greater Competency. Dates Tailored To Your Calendar. Lessons Organized Around Your Needs.

Be a better boater with private powerboat lessons

If you want to learn to boat, our private powerboat lessons are a great alternative to rigid group lessons that force you into long days, mixed skill groups and a fixed timeline. Whether you’re looking to learn from scratch, refresh your skills or learn before committing to buying a boat, private instruction is the best way to gain competency and be a safe boater.

Private learning experiences are proven to improve learning and heighten retention by 30%.  Our private powerboat lessons also give you:

  • a high level of focused attention to fast-track competency and skill training.
  • flexible scheduling that aligns with your availability.
  • online access to the theory with 24-hour access.
  • no rigid classroom structures.
  • classroom materials before your lessons. Early prep makes for more effective learning and greater retention.

Our Lesson Structure

Lesson days are scheduled to average 4-6 hours a day. This time is spent onboard the boat.  We (and science) have determined that limiting learning to a 6-hour day maximizes retention and enhances learning.

You start with our initial assessment so we have a clear sense of your boating history (don’t need any), goals, and areas of focus for your full education.

We create customized learning experiences which no group lesson cold match. Our goal is to help you successfully meet your boating goals in a reasonable time with a level of confidence that you can take to the water.

We have a fantastic team of qualified instructors who will get you confident and boating safely in no time.  All our lessons are taught on new boats.  You have the latest in designs, electronics and industry technology.

Our private lessons are offered all year long, seven days a week, with start times from early morning to late afternoons.  Give us a call or book your package on line, and we’ll schedule your customized learning experience.

Did you know that wintertime is the best time of year for powerboat lessons on San Francisco Bay?

Here Are Some Great Winter Bonus’s When You Sign Up For Lessons By March 15!

  • Enjoy a complimentary bareboat charter on one of our Nautical Access boating Club boats when you take our 3-Day or 4-Day Course. A $750 bonus. Get the details!
  • Get an extra hour of instruction on our 8-Hour Custom Course
  • Get a 50% discount on our Boating Club Initiation Fee if you join the club within 6-months of taking your lessons with us
Get Your California Boating Card

Where to start

  1. Contact us by calling 510-236-2633 or completing this form with the information we need to know how to advise you where to start.
  2. Take your California Boating Card Test on-line.
  3. We’ll review your info and prepare a learning path to take you where you want to go.

1-Day (8-Hr) Skill Building Custom Course

Our 8 hour course is a great starting point if you want to refresh your skills or are new to boating and want to get a feel for the sport and check out if this is for you. This lesson gives you a focused sense of your skill sets handling a boat in open water or close quarters and and quickly helps you understand your level of comfort on board.

Most people returning to powerboating after a break or those starting out find docking and maneuvering in tight spaces the most challenging. This private lessons gets you up to speed quickly and with great confidence. The course content is customized to your needs.  This course can be divided into two 4-hour days for maximum retention.  

3-Day (16-Hour) Safe Powerboat Handling Course

Review the course curriculum. This course is a 3-day (16-hour) hands-on, on-the-water course and is your jumping-off course either as a beginner or a returning boater needing to refresh skills.  In this course, you will learn how to safely operate a small motorboat and gain or improve your boat handling skills. The schedule is two 6-hour days and one 4-hour day.

The US Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have approved this course for the California Boater’s Card. The state of California recognizes this course as meeting their requirements for the California Boater’s Card.

There are no prerequisites to taking this course.

4-Day (24-Hour) Powerboat Cruising Course

Review our course content for the skills competency curriculum and overview of the course. In our 3-day course you get your skill levels up in half the time of large classes and go from novice to boater. The individual focus of the course allows for personalization and attention, unlike general schools that specialize in large group lessons. Sessions are: four 6-hour days.

The course is taught to the the US Powerboating Curriculum and taught by experienced instructors.  In a private course you move at your own pace and are able to focus on areas where you need more skill training and practice. It’s the fastest and best way to learn and be comfortable on the water. Some powerboat experience helpful2

Let Us Know Your Goals And We'll Get You Boating In No Time!