I planned on taking a basic boating class this winter and can't seem to find any local classes ( I live in Mansfield?). Anyone know of any? I know I got something in the mail last year of classes offered by some community learning center.

www.boatwise.com

thanks Bryan!

Jim,
good organization.
I used them when I got my 100Ton.
You know my email if you have any questions..
And I'd be happy to take a boat ride in the spring! :D

Jim,
good organization.
I used them when I got my 100Ton.
You know my email if you have any questions..
And I'd be happy to take a boat ride in the spring! :D

dont worry, if the boat gods are good to me, I'll save you a spot

Boatwise is excellent for new and old captains. Excellent teachers too. I did a whole slew of classes with them about 5 years ago. Worth every penny.

http://www.boat-ed.com/nh/index.htm

This is for NH, but here it is now mandatory (depending on your age) to have a boating safty course.

I did it in a class room at a local fire station. Might not be all you were looking for, but the online version is good information on some of the rules/regulations.

Maybe MA, has something similar.

http://a013.uscgaux.info/pe.htm

Here is another one from US coast gard auxillary

You need a boat to practice on Jimmy

Jimmy,

I had my classes over in the Dartmouth/Fairhaven area. If you speak with someone at the police station they can enlist you in the CoastGuard/DEM classes. It was definately worth it, too bad most people don't follow the rules they're taught ..:confused:

The courses are good, but I suggest you see how much the course is then figure that into a charter on a boat around the size you'll get or have.

Pick the captains brain while your out there, nothing compares to time on the water (OJT).
Plus you'll learn some spots, what to use and catch fish.

IMHO 99% of the jamokes on the water have a wallet big enough to get them out there and thats it, so like everything common sense is most important.

Get a chart of the area you want to boat/fish and read it in and out.
ask locals where low water or danger spots are (off green harbor, like day turns to night someone will hit farnham rock every year).


Good luck and if you haven't got one, buy a boat 3 feet longer than you want :hee:


red right return
don't swamp small boats
law of tonnage always prevails
ferry boats can't see other boats or can but don't care
if you see a sailboats motor running they're not sailing.
add 10kts to most wind reports
learn to tie the bowline knot
always have a 5 gallon bucket aboard.
when learning to dock go slow, no matter what, the slower you go the less damage you do.

Thanks guys, I've been around boats since I was a kid and worked on a boat yard for a summer while in school. I mainly want to learn safety and some basic navigation. i have no clue what a green buoy vs. red means and want to get up to speed on this stuff. My goal is to get basics down so I can focus on fish and fun and less on boating. I have no plans for offshore, purely inshore, bay, harbor etc. I may get my skills to a point where i would run to Block or the ELizabeths. I also know that many of you on this site have tons of experince and are willing to help. Thats a big educational asset to me.

I am joining the Old Colony Power Squadron this year. I spoke with the Commander on Sunday and he told me that they will be having a 10 week Boatsmanship course at South Shore Voc in Hanover in March. It's not on the website yet but here is the link.

http://www.usps.org/localusps/ocps/index.htm