Training | pnvyachtcharters.com

If you have limited boating experience or have not chartered before, this is your opportunity to learn to skipper a motor-yacht while enjoying cruising the islands!

I offer a curriculum consisting of (1/2) classroom day, dockside, aboard your motor-yacht “Swell” followed by three (3 1/2) days cruising, out and back each day. You return every evening to the Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes, where you can enjoy the shops and restaurants in Anacortes, just a few blocks from the marina. You stay aboard Swell each evening.

The goal of my course is for you (and up to three others) to learn (as a team if others) how to pilot a motor-yacht feeling relaxed, safe and confident. If you want to qualify as a “charter skipper”, it is ultimately your responsible to meet this goal by understanding the fundamental nautical skills, operating the vessel in a safe and enjoyable manner. It’s also important knowing your limitations as well as those of the vessel and crew.

My course is limited to a maximum of 4 adults so that each person has adequate hands-on training. Since you will be spending each evening on Swell at Cap Sante Marina, I encourage good friends wanting to share the training experience to participate.

The price of $4,200 includes:

Comprehensive, hands-on training
Course materials and training aids
Certificate of completion
Four (4) nights private staterooms with bath accommodations, linens and towels
Late afternoon check-in and sleep aboard the day before your departure
Continental breakfast
Light lunch
Fuel

Since “Swell” can be considered your floating home and classroom, with complete amenities, and navigation electronics, we can operate in most weather conditions, remaining warm and dry.

Contact Capt. Tom directly to schedule your training.

The same Payment, Refund and Cancellation terms, listed on Pricing Page, apply.

Training Syllabus

Day 1- at the dock and in Cap Sante Marina:

Principles of twin inboard boating
Navigation Basics, Charts, Nav aids & Rules of the Road
Understanding vessel systems
Understanding a AC/DC circuit breaker panel
Battery Power Management
Engine Room Familiarization- WOBBS
Safety Procedures and Equipment
Crew communications/assignments/etiquette/movement
Practical line handling/basic knots/crew movement dockside & aboard
Creating a Float Plan

Day 2- cruising on Padilla Bay and other local waters:

Proper procedures concerning dockside power, connect/disconnect
Starting/Operating engines, engine instruments
Throttles/Shifters/Helm control and rules of operation
Vessel familiarization underway (open water maneuvers and effects of wind and current)
Close Quarters Maneuvering in marina
Return/Docking

Day 3- cruising to Cypress & Sucia Islands:

Obtaining Weather, Tides and Currents data prior to departure
Skipper and Crew Lookout Procedures/Communications
Use of charts and chart plotter
Aids to Navigation (ATONs)
Basic Radar usage
Practical VHF Radio Communications Protocol
Anchoring
Mooring
Man Overboard (MOB) drill

Day 4- cruising the San Juan Islands:

This will be a fun filled day of pleasurable cruising, where all students will perform the requisite skipper/crewmember duties under the watchful eye of the instructor. All planning, navigating, underway coordination will be performed entirely by the students. This trip includes traveling through Thatcher Pass then to Roche Harbor marina for lunch. We return to our dock by 4 PM (or as directed by you).