What class should you take?

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If you’re a Beginning boater we recommend...

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Start with America's Boating Course (ABC) or our Boat Handling Course.

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• ABC fulfills your state's requirement for an approved boating course so you can legally operate a boat. 

Topics include:

Types of boats and best uses 

Boating laws, federal and state

Safety equipment, required and recommended

Finding your way

Boating in adverse conditions

Communications

Trailering

Knots and lines

Water sports 

Optionally, introduction to electronic navigation using paper charts and chartplotters

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For courses currently offered locally by America's Boating Club of Bellevue click here.

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• Boat Handling is intended for newer recreational boaters who have completed a basic boating class (such as ABC) and want to gain more knowledge, skill, and confidence to boat safely and have more fun on the water.

It covers:

Rules of the Road

Docking, Undocking and Slow-Speed Maneuvering

Handling Your Boat Underway

Anchoring with Assurance

Emergencies on Board

Preparation to Handle Common Problems

Knots and Line Handling

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For courses currently offered locally by America's Boating Club of Bellevue click here.

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If you want more depth we recommend as the next step...

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• Marine Navigation followed by Advanced Marine Navigation  will give you the tools for making your way in charted waters like large lakes, bays, and near shore gulf and ocean boating.

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• Navigation tools are covered in our Electronic Navigation course. Or go further and delve into celestial navigation in our Offshore Navigation and Celestial Navigation courses, aimed at offshore long-distance boating.

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For courses currently offered locally by America's Boating Club of Bellevue click here.

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Our Recommendations for all boaters...

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• Operations and Maintenance Courses

Engine Maintenance, 

Marine Electrical Systems and 

Marine Communication Systems.

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For courses currently being offered locally by America's Boating Club of Bellevue click here.

 

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Explore all the educational offerings of America's Boating Club...

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Choose from any full course or seminar that interests you. Courses are comprehensive, in-depth and usually require 12-16 hours over 6-8 weeks. Seminars and Clinics are focused 2-hour workshops on a variety of boating subjects. You can mix and match to suit your boating education needs. Browse through the course catalogues linked to below.  If you still have questions, click here to send an email to our education chair.

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• View catalogue of full length Courses here.

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• View catalogue of Short Seminars here.

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• View catalogue of America's Boating Club Online Courses here.

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• View catalogue of Local Boating Interest Clinics here.

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