Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 M600 LEADERBOARD

The easy way to try recreational powerboating: Affordable 3-hour courses begin Apr 6 in Northern VA

by Scott Croft 5 Mar 2022 11:00 PST 6 April 2022
The need for on-water powerboat handling instruction has increased as more boaters have hit the water © Scott Croft

Have you always wanted to try boating, but never had anyone to show you the ropes?

A new partnership between Potomac Boat Rentals and the national nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water makes it easy and affordable with a series of three-hour courses for beginner and experienced boat operators alike starting Wednesday, April 6.

Weekday afternoon and weekend morning courses are three hours long and priced at $175. All are offered aboard Potomac Boat Rentals' fleet of 25-foot single engine pontoon boats at Hampton's Landing Marina, located on Neabsco Creek just off the Potomac River. Courses include Introduction to Powerboating, Precision Docking & Boat Handling, Open-Water Boat Handling, and Open-Water Advanced Maneuvering. Signup can be found at BoatUS.org/Woodbridge. Courses run through May 25.

Class size is limited to four students per vessel, ensuring each student gets sufficient time at the helm under the watchful eye of a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain certified to teach the National Safe Boating Council modular curriculum. The minimum age to participate is 18 years old. Early registration is encouraged, and there is a three-person minimum for courses.

"There is no simpler or more affordable way to get behind the helm of a power-driven vessel than our three-hour courses," said Alan Dennison, program supervisor for BoatUS Foundation. "We can also help those looking to improve some rusty skills with help from a pro in a more advanced course. Building confidence and having fun are what it's all about."

All of the Foundation's on-water courses can be found at www.boatus.org/On-Water.

Related Articles

Learn powerboating skills in Old Saybrook
From the basics to 2 new hands-on courses added for experienced boaters Recreational boaters are beginning to return to the waters of Long Island Sound. Are they prepared? Posted on 8 May
Boaters prepare for boating season with BoatUS
At Erie Islands Sailing & Powerboating School With the summer boating season just around the corner, boaters on Lake Erie's West/Central Basin can boost their confidence on the water with a little help from Erie Islands Sailing & Powerboating School, which offers at-the-helm training Posted on 22 Apr
Spring launch checklist
Time-tested tips for getting your boat ready for the season Whether it's your first year or 50th, the recreational boat owner's advocacy, services and safety group, BoatUS, has help on how to start the boating season off right with its Spring Commissioning Checklist. Posted on 26 Mar
Be wary of letters offering documentation renewal
Official-looking vessel documentation renewal notices can lead to confusion and higher costs Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising boaters with vessels that have a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. mail offering renewal. Posted on 28 Jan
Got your boating safety certificate yet?
A 2025 mandatory boating safety education requirement BoatUS Foundation's online Boating Safety Course helps Empire State residents meet 2025 mandatory boating safety education requirement. Posted on 2 Jan
How to prepare a boat for Helene
Free online guides, videos, worksheet available from BoatUS With potential Tropical Cyclone Nine expected to reach hurricane strength as Helene before hitting parts of Florida's Gulf Coast later this week, recreational boat owners have all the hurricane preparation information they need at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. Posted on 25 Sep 2024
How to prepare a boat for Francine
Free online guides, videos, worksheet available for hurricanes from BoatUS With Tropical Storm Francine expected to reach hurricane strength before hitting parts of coastal Louisiana and the western Gulf Coast this week, recreational boat owners have all the hurricane preparation information they need at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. Posted on 10 Sep 2024
Florida 90-day temporary boating certification
BoatUS Foundation offers new course for renters Vacationers headed to Florida and planning to rent a boat now have an easy and low-cost way to earn their temporary boating safety certificate. Posted on 31 Jul 2024
Try boating or hone your boat handling skills
With on-water powerboat training Summer boating season has arrived. Have you ever wanted to try out boating, or are you a boat owner looking to improve your confidence behind the helm? Posted on 3 Jul 2024
Four boating tips for July Fourth
Likely the longest anchoring day of the year According to the nationwide TowBoatUS on-water towing fleet, the busiest time of the year for America's recreational boat owners is, hands down, the Fourth of July holiday period, which typically includes some days before and after the official holiday. Posted on 24 Jun 2024
Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts