| There are many boating safety courses that are | | | | skills, boating lessons will be good for you. Below are |
| offered throughout the country for all types of | | | | some of the topics covered in most boating courses. |
| recreational boaters, and for boaters of all ages. Boat | | | | Which Boat Is best For You? - materials for |
| handling as with many complex activities is part art | | | | constructing boats, Boater's language, types of |
| and part science. The art of boat handling is | | | | boats; outboard motors and stern drives, hull design; |
| developed with time and practice. The science is | | | | uses of boats, other power plants, your intended |
| developed thorough good boat handling education, | | | | use, the Coast Guard Customer Info line, marine |
| which if done properly can put piloting ones craft | | | | surveyors; buying a boat. |
| safely and competently within grasp in a relatively | | | | Boat Handling - fueling your boat, Leave with a full |
| short period of time. | | | | tank, your boat's propeller; cars and boats, twin |
| Taking boating courses can make boating more | | | | screws, jet drives; loading your boa, getting started; |
| enjoyable, make you more skilled and safer boater. | | | | leaving a pier; "man" overboard; docking, mooring to |
| Most boating courses require several hours of | | | | a permanent anchor, towing a skier; heavy weather, |
| classroom work taken over a number of weeks in a | | | | small boat safety. |
| set schedule. | | | | Following the Rules to whom do the rules apply, Two |
| There are several volunteer organizations, such as | | | | sets of rules what is a vessel, the general |
| the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, | | | | responsibility rule, general considerations; conduct in |
| and others who sponsor many courses, and many | | | | narrow channels, traffic separation schemes, vessel |
| state boating agencies also provide classes. These | | | | traffic services, stand-on or give-way; rules for |
| courses cover many aspects of boating safety. Many | | | | special vessels, risk of collision. |
| insurance companies will offer discounts on boat | | | | Powering Your Boat - Types of engines, marine |
| insurance to individuals who have successfully | | | | engines, selecting a propeller; induction systems, |
| completed a boating safety course. | | | | ignition systems, flame arresters; cooling systems, |
| If you decide to take a boating course there are | | | | gasoline considerations, batteries; maintenance, |
| many options for you to choose from. Some classes | | | | winterizing your boat; spring fitting-out; |
| are strictly in a classroom setting while some are | | | | troubleshooting. |
| taught right on the boat. There are countless | | | | Boat equipment - Requirements for your boat, your |
| websites that offer online courses. If you are | | | | boat's equipment, legal considerations, substance |
| interested in boating or just want to improve your | | | | abuse, boating accident reports. |