Comprehensive Boat Handling Instruction
3-Hour Confidence-Building Course with Captain Joshua Waldman
Transform from anxious new boat owner to confident captain with this intensive, hands-on instruction designed specifically for those who want to master their vessel and navigate San Francisco Bay with assurance.
Who This Course Is For
- New boat owners seeking practical, real-world skills
- Experienced boaters transitioning to different vessel types
- Anyone wanting to build confidence in boat handling and navigation
- Sailors, single-engine, and twin-engine yacht owners
What You’ll Master in 3 Hours
Docking & Boat Parking Mastery
- Approach techniques for various dock configurations and weather conditions
- Spring line methods for controlled docking in tight spaces
- Backing and pivot maneuvers for challenging slip entries
- Wind and current compensation strategies
- Emergency stop procedures and abort techniques
Professional Knot Work & Line Handling
- Essential marine knots every boater must know
- Proper line securing techniques for different cleat types
- Fender placement and adjustment for various dock situations
- Spring line setup for secure, stress-free mooring
San Francisco Bay Navigation
- Local hazards and considerations unique to SF Bay
- Traffic patterns around major landmarks and shipping lanes
- Weather pattern recognition and how conditions affect handling
- Tide and current impact on boat control and route planning
- Best practices for popular destinations (Sausalito, Tiburon, Angel Island)
Navigation Theory & Chart Reading
- Electronic and paper chart interpretation
- GPS fundamentals and backup navigation methods
- Bearing and distance calculations
- Dead reckoning techniques
- Understanding navigation aids and channel markers
Rules of the Road
- Right-of-way principles in various encounter situations
- Sound signals and proper communication protocols
- Night navigation rules and lighting requirements
- Commercial vessel considerations and safe passing
- Emergency procedures and distress signals
Vessel-Specific Instruction
For Sailboats:
- Under-power maneuvering in tight quarters
- Motorsailing techniques and engine-sail coordination
- Wind awareness for docking approaches
For Single-Engine Boats:
- Prop walk understanding and compensation
- Single-engine docking strategies
- Pivot techniques using prop wash
For Twin-Engine Yachts:
- Independent throttle and steering coordination
- Advanced docking using differential power
- Emergency single-engine operations
Teaching Methodology
This isn’t a classroom lecture—it’s practical, on-the-water instruction tailored to your specific vessel and skill level. We’ll start with fundamentals and progressively build to more challenging maneuvers, ensuring you feel confident before moving to the next skill.
Course Benefits
- Immediate confidence boost in boat handling abilities
- Reduced stress during docking and navigation
- Enhanced safety through proper technique and knowledge
- Personalized instruction focused on your specific vessel type
- Real-world scenarios practiced in actual bay conditions
What to Bring
- Your vessel (or we can arrange instruction on a suitable boat)
- Basic safety equipment
- Notebook for reference materials
- Questions about specific situations you’ve encountered
Investment in your boating confidence: 3 hours of expert instruction that will transform your time on the water.
Available for instruction on your vessel or aboard our training boat. Course can be customized for specific skill areas or vessel types.
