America's Boating Club

United States Power Squadrons

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Where Do I Start?

Since we offer a wide range of courses and seminars, you have lots of choices.  You can take advantage of any course or seminar you want.  Need help?  We can help you decide where to start.  Read on.

If you are a beginning boater, you might want to start with America's Boating Course (ABC) or Boat Handling.  ABC will also fulfill your state's requirement for an approved boating course so you can legally operate a boat.  Boat Handling goes further, and gives you a fuller understanding of boating knowledge and techniques.

If you are interested in getting around on longer trips, then you'll want to take our in-depth navigation courses.  You should take them in order:  Marine Navigation and then Advanced Marine Navigation for making your way in charted waters like large lakes, bays, and near shore gulf and ocean boating.  Also you may be interested in electronic navigation tools with our Electronic Navigation course.  If you want even more, then learn celestial navigation with our Offshore Navigation and Celestial Navigation courses, aimed at offshore long-distance boating.

If you have a boat, or if you are thinking of getting one, you'll want one of our operations and maintenance courses: Engine Maintenance, Marine Electrical Systems, or Marine Communication Systems.

Want to know more about Weather, Sail boating, or Cruising Under Power and Sail?  We have those, too.  Check out all our courses, on the left.

Want your education in short, quick hits?  Take some of our many seminars in a wide range of topics.  Categories include boat handling, navigation, facing the environment, safety, techniques, and hands-on training.  Explore more in Seminars, on the left.