Certifications for chartering a powerboat

[skyhawk]

I fell victim and clicked an add for The Moorings...just out of curiosity. I see that they offer both crewed and bare charters, and so I clicked the links to see what sort of qualifications and experience are required.
I see that they offer a "complimentary captain for the day", just to get you oriented...so there's some rock bottom level of training there....

I'm in florida so my most likely destinations would be the Bahamas and Carribean

For The Bahammas: To sail in this destination, you’ll be required to hold an official recognized Motor/Power Boat license from a recognized association AND/OR an at least an ICC, RYA Day Skipper qualification or above.

They have no other links for other locations such as the Virgin Islands, so I suppose there is no "requirement" from the state. Still, No doubt the charter company would want something....


Now I have no immediate plans to charter anything, but I'm nearing retirement, so maybe I should work on getting a certification to open up options....
so
1) what are the easiest/fastest/cheapest options that might get me onboard something like Moorings power boats
2) what are the better training options, such as the multinight liveaboard training experiences that I might consider.

 

[Ertyqway]

The requirements vary quite a bit depending on location. European charters typically require formal certifications. For the Caribbean, it's more informal. Moorings and Sunsail ask for a captain's resume for anyone who would be skippering the boat. They want a summary of boating experience: time, place, types of vessels, types of use. That sort of thing.

 

[Ken E.]

In addition to an experience resume, they may want you to do a 'check ride' with them, demonstrating your docking ability and how well you can back the boat. I had to do this when we chartered a boat years ago.

 

[skyhawk]

Yeah, I'd imagine the checkride is probably a huge part of this "Included benefit"

Complimentary “Friendly Skipper”****. On the first day of your charter, a qualified “Friendly Skipper” can help you get acquainted with your yacht and destination, for a stress-free start.

 

[skyhawk]

so rewording my questions a bit...
1) what are the most basic level of training options that would get a small boat guy with no big boat experience onboard something like a Moorings power boat bare charter?
2) what are the better training options, such as the multinight liveaboard training experiences that I might consider.

I'm actually thinking that an option 2 might be something I'll do pretty soon in retirement if I can join into a group class, just as something to do for fun if it's not too big of a financial commitment

And just based on some really quick searching, I'm getting the idea that the listed required certifications for teh Bahammas (ICC, RYA Day Skipper qualification), might be just an online knowledge course thing.... that doesn't seem right, but is it?? If so I might get started on one of those things now....

 

[Ertyqway]

To get experience, look up your local Power Squadron and reach out to them. Many of them run periodic boat handling courses and other related informational sessions (navigation, etc.). That's how my wife and I first got experience operating larger twin-screw power boats.

Consider joining a yacht club even if you don't own a boat yet (fun fact: you don't need to own a boat to join a yacht club). It's a great way to meet other boaters and learn things. It's also a potential avenue for volunteering to crew or help out aboard in order to learn.

Speaking of clubs, find out if there is a chapter of IPBA (International Power Boat Association) near you. This is a group of boaters who actively participate in Predicted Log Racing ( What is Predicted Log Racing? | Ballast Point Yachts ). They are ALWAYS looking for race observers, which means you get to ride along with a seasoned captain and ask them all sorts of questions while you observe them during the race.

 

[Marco Flamingo]

Buy a used recent edition (last three decades) of Chapman's. Cheap and tons of info. Best bathroom book ever.

Get a Florida boater safety card. I don't know what is involved in FL, probably an online test, but the Washington State card was really, really basic and not technically required for older boaters. Still, just knowing about it (and having one) probably puts you in the top 70% statewide.

 

[CharlieO.]

Multiple different ways to get a paper certification. None of the following are recommendations or endorsements. Personally, I would like to do the Anacortes Yacht Charter bundle, they also said it would be no problem to bring along our 12-year-old son so he could get a bit of instruction also.

Charter Bundle - Anacortes Yacht Charters

anacortesyachtcharters.com

Trawler School - Learn to Operate a Trawler

Acquire hands-on experience in trawler handling and navigation with our specialized training. Master the skills and gain the confidence!

trawlersgreatlakes.com

Sailing Inc - Seward, Alaska

Trawler Academy

Voyage Planning, Seamanship, Navigation, Communications, Safety, Great Loop training, and more!

trawleracademy.org

Powerboating Certification | Southwest Florida Yachts

Enhance your boating skills with our Powerboating Certification courses. Enroll today for beginner to advanced training!

www.swfyachts.com

 

[sjisailor]

As noted, the requirements vary by location and charter operation as well as their insurers' requirements. Some charter companies will provide a captain for multiple days to do training and sign off when they think you're ready.

My personal take is that something like a basic Power Squadron course in advance focusing on navigation/charts + nav rules, and then 2-3 days of assisted practical training would be a reasonable minimum to get started with a 34-45 foot vessel.

 

[Sababa]

The US Powerboating IPC (International Proficiency Certification) is the most readily attainable credential in the US. I got mine from Shearwater University in Anacortes. I have used it to charter with The Moorings in Greece, the Bahamas, and Mexico. My understanding is that they will accept it anywhere they charter. This may not be true of every charter company in every country.

As an already experienced boater, obtaining the IPC involved a three-day on-water challenge examination, which included coaching up in areas where I was shaky or deficient. The skills tested include paper chart navigation by dead reckoning, but no celestial component. There were also two multiple choice examinations totaling 100 questions that required pretty thorough knowledge of the Colregs among other things.

Home

Maritime education in the heart of the Salish Sea

shearwateruniversity.com

 

[MichaelD]

Some of the education sources mentioned above are excellent. Some are expensive.
Don't forget the "granddad" of boater education, America's Boating Club, AKA United States Power Squadron. Excellent courses, significantly less expensive as it's all volunteer labor. If you're not in a hurry and can work with the schedule, its a great option. Here's where I participate:

America's Boating Club of the San Juan Islands
With our course offerings at:
ABCSJI Courses

 

[Michael W.]

A similar related question I think. I live in the Chicago area, bought a 2002 Mainship Pilot 34 hard top last August. The previous owner who is a licensed candidate spent two days with me delivering it to Kenosha Wisconsin. I was able to continue to get to know the boat for a couple of months before having to put it away for the winter. I am leaving for the Loop mid September 2026. Over to the Bahamas some time early 2027. So I will have quite a bit of experience by then. I have an IL Boater Education Card. Is that sufficient for my own boat?

I was also at Trawler Fest/Anacortes last May May and spent some time with Shearwater in seminars and a day of on the water training for but no certification. I used to race crew on a 40 sailboat for 10 years 25 years ago and did have some navigating responsibilities but that was a long time ago dead reckoning in the Loran days. Shearwater offers an online go at your own pace navigation course. $300 if I remember correctly. Have been considering that. Maybe that certificate along with my boater education card would suffice?

 

[tstrawler]

I have bareboat chartered a 43' power cat from the Moorings twice in the last eight years in both the BVI and USVI. Regarding my abilities, I only reported to them on their documents about my boating experience and there was never a question, concern or documented proof required by them that I was "qualified". No handling trial, no test skipper, though that would be a very good idea for systems understanding and handling. (Generators, electronics, anchoring, dinghy operation, etc.)
FYI, my experience is 50 years of pleasure boating on all types of craft but mostly on the freshwater of N. America's Great Lakes except for a delivery from FL to OH. My current boat and for the past 25 years is a 44' trawler with a Highfield dinghy.
Bareboat chartering with the Moorings in the BVI and USVI is a fabulous experience that I highly recommend to confident skippers who love the independence that bareboating can provide. And it's way easier than Erie.

 

[PNK]

I am not familiar with Mooring's requirements, but Sunsail requires a minimum number of days and miles skippering a boat similar in size to the one you want to charter. The minimum's vary by destination, with the highest requirement being for Polynesia, but even then they are not that harsh; 20 nights or 400 miles. However, you also need to fill out a "sailing resume" before you book anything.
Good luck finding something you like!
Peter