Onboard Boating Lessons

Onboard boating lessons make you feel more... confident in control calm

Captain-Evangeline-Boat-Lessons- Throttle

BE A BETTER BOATER!

Boat operators need to feel confident and safe on the water. Boating safety classes taken on land are a must! Once you are on the water, learning to operate your own boat can be challenging, dangerous and expensive.

Captain Evangeline can help you to immediately improve your skills on docking, anchoring, boating safety, line handling, man overboard drills, and basic boat driving skills.

Lessons are suggested for boat owners and will be on the owners’ boat.

NEW PREREQUISITE FOR YOUR ONBOARD BOATING LESSON:

You must obtain your Boating Safety Certificate before your first onboard boating lessons. There are a few different ways to get your Boating Safety Certificate, here are a few recommendations:

In person class:
Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Class Finder by Zip Code: ttps://cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php

Online classes approved by the Massachusetts Environmental Police:
ilearntoboat: https://www.ilearntoboat.com/massachusetts
boats-ed: https://www.boat-ed.com/massachusetts

What To Expect During A Boat Lesson

The first lesson always starts off with a courtesy vessel safety check where Captain Evangeline will check the safety equipment of your boat and focus on where to find and store the equipment as well as how to use it. This includes proper placement of PFD’s, use of distress signals, and how to use VHR radio.

While still at the dock we can go over proper line handling, fender placement and tying up the boat to the dock securely.

Then its time to take off from the dock and work on basic boat handling skills including:

docking, docking and more docking!
getting on plane
mastering reverse
stopping the boat
keeping the boat in the same place
anchoring
picking up a mooring
man overboard drills

You will get the most out of the first lesson and we will cover many of these exercises. On the second lesson we will be mastering those skills learned on the first lesson and work on the rest. If you have specific things you would like to learn, we will prioritize those!

Boat Lessons and Rates

Boats 26 feet and under:

1-2 people 2- hour lesson $300

Boats 27 – 32 feet:

1-2 people 2- hour lesson $350

Boats over 33 feet: contact for pricing

Additional family members may be on the boat and participate in the boating safety aspect of the lesson, however, if you have three or four people who want to drive, a minimum of three hours is needed to give everyone ample time at the helm.

Each Additional Hour: $150

Combo Lesson and Coastal Tour (day on the boat):

$450 (3 hours long)

$150 each additional hour

The combo lesson is good for someone who has already taken one or two lessons, or, is fairly comfortable driving a boat and would like to be guided around the shores of Cape Ann. You can explore new places and learn the local etiquette while you and the crew are fine tuning boating skills.

It’s a great way to bring the family so that everyone can learn “the ropes” as we anchor in scenic coves and beaches, dock at public landings for lunch and even fuel up at the gas dock!

Captain Evangeline’s Favorite Spots:

Backside of Cranes Beach, Fox Creek, Folly Cove, Wingersheek Beach, Dry Salvages (Seal Rock) to see the seals, Annisquam River to Gloucester Harbor, Braces Cove, Rockport Public Landing, Gloucester Public Landing, Kettle Cove, Misery Island

Children and Teens

Lessons can be customized for people of any age. In Massachusetts, children can drive a boat without an adult at the age of 12 and must obtain their boating safety certificate. That being said, kids will need experience before parents would feel comfortable with them on their own and could start younger.

Depending on your child, lessons can start as young as eight or nine years old.

Family members are welcome on the boat during the lesson but the instruction will focus on up to 4 people depending on which lesson you choose.

It is advised to not have small children aboard for the first and second lesson to minimize distractions but they are welcome for the coastal tour.