Which Sailing or Powerboat Course should I take?

NauticEd’s course system is dynamic and comprehensive, allowing you to focus your time and efforts on your specific boating goals. If you’re a student pursuing a sailing and boating goal or certification/licensing, then NauticEd’s Course Pathways (recommended courses) are below. To learn more about certification and licensing, please refer to Sailing Certification from NauticEd. For the SLC courses, jump here;

Many courses are available in discounted Course Bundles, which are curated based on specific boating goals. OR, you can purchase courses individually - your choice! If you purchase an individual course and decide to upgrade to a bundle later, then the course is automatically credited from the bundle price.

Jump to a pathway to see recommended courses (or just browse all below):

SAILING

POWERBOATING

Sailing Online Course Pathways

Beginner Sailor:

For new sailors who want to get started in sailing –- or just give sailing a try. The beginner sailor pathway provides students with the fundamental theory and knowledge to begin actively participating in sailing.

The Introduction to Sailing Bundle of courses

  • Introduction to Sailing
  • Basic Sail Trim (free)
  • Navigation Rules (free)

    Highly Recommended
  • Virtual Reality Course (optional)

Qualified Crew:

For sailors wanting to learn how to become a knowledgeable and competent crew member. Actively contribute as a crew member on a keelboat from 25 ft to 55 ft (7.5m to 17m).

  • Qualified Crew Member
  • Basic Sail Trim (free)
  • Navigation Rules (free)

Skipper Small Sailboat (Keelboat):

Learn the theory and knowledge to competently and safely skipper small sailboats up to 25ft. The Skipper Small Keelboat pathway covers everything you need: learning to set the sails, steering and maneuvering skills, outboard engines, understanding how to be a true leader on a sailboat, and much more.

The Skipper Small Sailboat Bundle of courses

  • Basic Sail Trim (free)
  • Navigation Rules (free)
  • Skipper Small Keelboat

    Highly Recommended
  • Virtual Reality Course (optional)

Skipper Large Sailboat (Keelboat + optional Catamaran):

Large Keelboats allow for longer distances and sailing in diverse conditions. A comprehensive sailing pathway for beginners to intermediate sailors wanting to learn how to sail larger sailboats 26ft to 56ft. While many sailing skills and principles are universal, sailing larger sailboats requires additional training and skills to handle the increased power, speed, and weight and the myriad of helm, engine, and system options.

The Skipper Large Sailboat Bundle of courses

  • Basic Sail Trim (free)
  • Navigation Rules (free)
  • Skipper Large Keelboat
  • Maneuvering Under Power

    Highly Recommended
  • Virtual Reality Course
  • Catamaran Confidence (if sailing a large catamaran)
  • Effective Command through Emotional Intelligence

Bareboat Charter Master:

Gain the knowledge needed for multiday and near coastal sailing adventures. NauticEd’s Bareboat courses train all aspects of multiday sailing: international navigation rules and buoys, sailing techniques, boat management and systems, boat handling, coastal navigation, electronic navigation, and more.

Required for the SLC International License

The Bareboat Charter Master Bundle of courses

  • Basic Sail Trim (free)
  • Navigation Rules (free)
  • Skipper Large Keelboat
  • Maneuvering Under Power
  • Anchoring a Sailboat
  • Coastal Navigation
  • Electronic Navigation (free)
  • Bareboat Chartering

    Highly Recommended
  • Virtual Reality Course (Master docking skills)
  • Catamaran Confidence (if sailing a large catamaran)
  • Effective Command through Emotional Intelligence (How to lead a crew of friends and family)

SLC (International Sailing License and Credentials)

The SLC is required for the Mediterranean and accepted worldwide. Read more about the SLC requirements >

  • Take the Bareboat Charter Master Bundle of Courses shown above
  • and the SLC Examination (free)

RYA Day Skipper:

This is the RYA Day Skipper Theory Online Course and includes the necessary knowledge to confidently skipper a sailboat (28ft and greater) in coastal waters and qualify for the ICC (note that for North Americans, the SLC is a more accessible sailing license to gain to the availability of SLC assessing instructors.

  • RYA Day Skipper Course

Captain Offshore Sailing:

Designed for seasoned sailors seeking to sail offshore, this comprehensive pathway equips you with the knowledge to sail confidently through offshore challenges.

The Captain Offshore Sailing Bundle of courses

  • Basic Sail Trim (free)
  • Navigation Rules (free)
  • Skipper Large Keelboat
  • Maneuvering Under Power
  • Anchoring a Sailboat
  • Coastal Navigation
  • Electronic Navigation (free)
  • Advanced Sail Trim
  • Storm Tactics
  • Weather
  • Safety at Sea

    Highly Recommended
  • Virtual Reality Course (Master docking skills)
  • Catamaran Confidence (if sailing a catamaran)
  • Effective Command through Emotional Intelligence (How to lead a crew of friends and family)

Powerboating Online Course Pathways

Skipper Small Powerboat (coming soon!)

Skipper Large Powerboat:

  • Navigation Rules for Powerboats (free)
  • Skipper Large Powerboat

    Highly Recommended
  • Virtual Reality Course (Master docking skills)
  • Effective Command through Emotional Intelligence (How to lead a crew of friends and family)

Bareboat Charter Master - for Powerboats:

The Bareboat Charter Master for Powerboats Bundle of courses

  • Navigation Rules for Powerboats (free)
  • Skipper Large Powerboat
  • Coastal Navigation
  • Electronic Navigation
  • Bareboat Charter

    Highly Recommended
  • Virtual Reality Course (Master docking skills)
  • Effective Command through Emotional Intelligence (How to lead a crew of friends and family)

Powerboat SLC-p (International Sailing License and Credentials)

The SLC-p is required for the Mediterranean and accepted worldwide. Read more about the SLC requirements >

  • Take the Bareboat Charter Master for Powerboats Bundle of Courses listed above
  • Take the SLC-p Examination (free)

If while taking the course, you encounter issues or have specific recommendations, then please feel welcome to email us directly at info@nauticed.org. One of the great strengths of NauticEd’s online courses is that we are continuously updating and refining the materials - for us it’s just adding a few lines of code, and voila the course is updated.

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