COURSE OPTIONS &
INFORMATION

Private
Seamanship Certification & Vacation Cruise
The most economical instruction choice!
Some people are simply more comfortable with private,
individualized training. So if you have a group of friends who plan to
charter in the near future or you're a family eager to step up to the yachting
lifestyle, private lessons might be right for you. With a private
instructor you have lots of options. You can tailor your experience to learn as
much (or as little) as you choose. Just pick one of our motoryachts,
charter the vessel at our normal rates and take along a skipper/instructor for 3
to 6 days. If your goal is to become a bareboat-charter-qualified skipper,
you'll cover all the skills taught in our 3 and 6-day courses. Or you can
just relax and learn the specific boat handling skills of most interest to you.
You'll be welcome to participate in the operation of the vessel accordingly.
This is our most flexible training/chartering option. It's a great
vacation, and great learning opportunity!
Skipper/Instructor: $250/day for
up to four students, plus charter fee, actual fuel used, dock fees, and food for
all aboard. (If your instructor qualifies you as "bareboat charter ready"
prior to the end of your charter, you may arrange to ferry or fly your
instructor back to Bellingham from the islands and continue on your vacation
with you in command of your yacht!)
3-Hour
Maneuvering
This course is designed
for experienced boaters who would like to become competent maneuvering a larger
yacht, maneuvering a different engine configuration (single or twin), or would
like a refresher. Since operating a vessel in close quarters can be
intimidating, your instructor will give you key tips and the added practice you
need to get the "feel" and "touch" to comfortably maneuver a large yacht or
trawler in harbors and marinas. We offer this course in both twin-screw motor
yacht and single-screw trawler formats. Many of our charter guests choose to
add this option to the first day of their charter in order to become more
familiar with their chosen yacht, gain confidence in its maneuvering
characteristics, and provide their crew with a refresher in docking teamwork.
Tuition:
$250/person. No extra
charge for docking crew training for a second person.
2-Day Seamanship
Certification
Learn the skills
essential to skippering a 30' - 42' yacht aboard this 2-day weekend course.
Designed for those with some boating experience, Seamanship Certification
covers cruise and fuel planning, maneuvering in a marina, picking up a mooring
ball and anchoring. After yacht systems orientation and training, you’ll spend
the majority of day one learning to maneuver in close quarters and to use line
handling techniques to your advantage while docking. Stay aboard your boat
Saturday night, enjoying the amenities of Bellingham and the beauty of
Bellingham Bay and the nearby San Juan Islands. Day two consists of more
hands-on maneuvering practice, as well as navigation review, anchoring practice
and tying up to a mooring ball. Now you’re ready for your first bareboat
charter vacation!
Both twin-engine
and single-engine courses offered. (Please specify your preference.)
Prerequisite:
1-Day Piloting Course (or ASA 104, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power
Squadron, or equivalent experience verified by exam).
Tuition:
$575/person, double
occupancy, or $875/person for single occupancy. Limited to four students.
Fuel and lunch for both days, as well as breakfast on Sunday, are included at no extra cost! Enjoy Saturday night
at the dock with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from.
Course
Curriculum
Course Preparation Checklist
1-Day Navigation Course
This
Saturday course, at the dock, covers practical theory to build your seamanship
knowledge, including navigation, chart plotter skills, basics of radar, piloting
rules and safety/emergency procedures. (This is the foundation course for
the 2-Day Seamanship Certification.)
This course is the prerequisite for the 2-Day Seamanship Course.
Tuition:
$175/person
Prerequisites: None
Course
Curriculum
QUESTIONS?
We would be happy to answer any questions that you
may have about our boats, our program, or cruising the San Juan Islands. Feel free
to contact us at 1-800-670-8089 or info@sanjuanyachting.com.
We look forward to seeing at our docks!
San Juan Islands Power Boat Instruction | Pacific Northwest Yacht Charters | Pacific Northwest Motoryacht Charters