Our Powerboat Instructor Program is an intensive 3 day course for those interested in on-the-water teaching of safety and powerboat skills.

• Open to US SAILING certified sailing instructors and other highly qualified candidates.  
  

• This course is offered and conducted by US SAILING at  locations around the United States.  
  

• Successful completion leads to US SAILING Powerboat Instructor Certification.  
  

• Instructor candidates must demonstrate classroom and on-the-water teaching skills as well as proficiency in powerboat operation.  
  

• Class size is limited to 6-8 candidates.   
  

• The cost of the course is $275 for those whose applications are received at US SAILING at least one week prior to the course.  An additional administrative/express postage fee of $50.00 will apply thereafter.
  

• To become certified and maintain certification, US SAILING membership is required.
   

• For on-line powerboat exams, knot tying and stop motion animations visit US Powerboating

Powerboat Instructor Training Calendar (Register On-Line from the calendar)

Mail - Fax Course Application   Find a Certified Powerboat Instructor near you

Cruising Powerboat Instructor
Two options are currently offered: 

• *2 day evaluative course for experienced US SAILING Cruising Instructors who want to become US SAILING/US Powerboating certified Cruising Powerboat Instructors
     

• *3 day evaluative course for experienced Instructors who do not possess US SAILING Cruising Instructor certification

Most of the time will be spent on the water demonstrating and critiquing boathandling maneuvers, and demonstrating and discussing teaching techniques applicable to single and twin-screw cruising powerboats.

Course Goals

1. To gain an understanding of the practical skills and knowledge required for Basic Powerboat Cruising and Inshore Powerboat Cruising certifications, and the Night Operation Endorsement
2. To successfully train, evaluate and certify people to meet the standards for these certifications and endorsement in a variety of cruising powerboats 26’ to 40’ long with single screw and/or twin-screws
3. To acquire additional information on effective teaching techniques and drills for cruising powerboats courses

Boats
Each course will have two cruising powerboats: a single-screw with bow thruster, and a twin-screw.

Number of Instructor Candidates per Course
Maximum number in the course: eight instructor candidates. Each boat will be limited to four instructor candidates with an Instructor Trainer.

Prerequisites for Entrance into the Course

1. Minimum age of 18 years
2. Experienced operator of cruising type powerboats and/or power catamarans
3. Ability to perform the practical skills and knowledge to be a Cruising Powerboat Instructor
4. Current US Coast Guard license
5. Current First Aid and CPR certifications recognized by the US Coast Guard
6. Current US SAILING membership
7. Written resume of any relevant powerboating and teaching experience
8. Letter of recommendation from current/most recent boating employer, or if self-employed, a letter from another instructor not associated with the candidate’s program
9.  Completed application form accompanied by the course fee
10.  Completed Medical Form brought to the course and given to the Instructor Trainers before the course begins.

Materials
Materials will be sent directly to instructor candidates. To allow time to study course materials, US SAILING must receive completed applications and course fees at least one week prior to the course.

Successful Completion of the Course
Cruising Powerboat Instructors are expected to perform all practical skills of the Basic Powerboat Cruising and Inshore Powerboat Cruising certifications, and the Night Operation Endorsement to a higher proficiency level than that required for receiving them; and to be able to explain the appropriate knowledge concepts for these certifications.

1)  In the courses, instructor candidates will demonstrate Cruising Powerboat Instructor skill level, knowledge and seamanship, and explain key teaching points in the following areas:

• Operation and inspection of boat systems and equipment

• Leaving and/or returning to a dock or slip with and without a bow thruster

• Using a spring line when leaving or returning to a dock or slip

• Backing into a slip

• Backing along a course always maintaining control

• Maintaining throttle and speed control at minimum control speed

• Close-quarters maneuvering and pivot turns

• Anchoring with a single and/or two anchors

• Picking up a mooring

• Simulated person in the water rescues

• Simulated emergency procedures: engine failure, fire, sinking, grounding

• Using dinghy management while docking

• Using a GPS to establish and maintain a course, and to arrive at a determined lat/long position

• Using radar to take a bearing, measure distance, and determine a boat’s position using circular lines of position (if boat has radar)

2)  Demonstrate use of appropriate knots and line handling

3)   Perform effective communications, demonstrations, command and control

4)  Demonstrate a professional attitude and conduct

5)  Have a working knowledge of the Cruising Powerboat certification system

6)  Receive a successful evaluation from the Instructor Trainers

Course Outcomes
 Passing: The instructor candidate has successfully completed the required practical skills and any written tests, and received a successful evaluation from the Instructor Trainers.

Plan of Improvement: The instructor candidate has not yet successfully completed all the requirements and has been given a specific Plan of Improvement to complete within a specific time frame. Arrangements for re-testing and the completion of a Plan of Improvement must be done through US SAILING’s Powerboat Training Coordinator. The responsibility for completion of a Plan of Improvement rests with the instructor candidate.

Failing: The instructor candidate did not come close enough to meeting the evaluative criteria at the time of the course to be given a Plan of Improvement or did not complete the specifics in the Plan of Improvement that was given.

Plan of Completion: Instructor Trainers were unable to complete the evaluation; therefore the instructor candidate must complete the course at a later date. Arrangements for completion must be done through the Powerboat Training Coordinator within 90 days of the course date, and will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Validation of Cruising Powerboat Instructors
Validation of a Cruising Powerboat Instructor will be for three years, providing First Aid, CPR and US SAILING membership are kept current. Instructor validation is renewable.

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