Take your boating skills to the next level. Powerboating on Open Water is a 6 hour advanced, hands-on training program designed to build the confidence and capability needed to safely operate a vessel beyond protected waters and into dynamic open-water environments.

Note: Schedule is dependent on weather conditions, class size, and participant experience

This course is the second segment of the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) Boat Control On-Water Training Program and delivers Modules Three & Four. Instruction is led by NSBC Certified Instructors, ensuring nationally recognized standards and proven on-water training methods.

Prerequisite:

Successful completion of Fundamentals of Powerboating is required prior to enrollment. This ensures students have the foundational close-quarters control skills necessary to safely progress into open-water operations.

What You’ll Learn:

This course focuses on transitioning from controlled environments to open-water boat operations, where wind, current, vessel traffic, and speed introduce new challenges.

Participants will develop the critical skills needed to:

• Safely increase speed and operate on plane

• Maintain control in open-water conditions

• Execute precise turns and controlled stops at higher speeds

• Navigate wakes, waves, wind, and current

• Identify and respond to developing risks and hazards

Training emphasizes situational awareness, decision-making, and vessel control in real-world boating environments.

Classroom Session:

• Administrative Objectives

• Graphics Overview

• Course Objectives

• Prerequisites

• Operator Responsibility

• Lookout Principles

• Speed and Risk Management

• Risk of Collision

• Actions to Avoid Collision

• Environmental Awareness

• Equipment

• Terminology

On-Water Training:

• Vessel Performance and Acceleration

• Trim and Efficiency

• High-Speed Turns

• Controlled Stops

• Boat Handling in Wakes and Waves

• Boat Handling in Wind

• Boat Handling in Current

• Emergency Procedures and Rescue Considerations

All training is conducted in a safe, controlled environment with a strong emphasis on proper technique, risk management, and crew safety. Participants operate vessels while wearing properly fitted life jackets and adhering to all navigation rules and safety practices.

Who This Course Is For:

• Recreational boaters ready to advance beyond basic skills

• Operators seeking confidence in open-water conditions

• Individuals looking to safely operate at speed

• Boaters preparing for more dynamic and challenging environments

At BEST – Boating Emergency Safety Training, we bridge the gap between basic boat handling and real-world boating performance. Our on-water training ensures you don’t just learn—you gain the confidence and capability to operate safely, efficiently, and decisively in open water.