I just bought a 38' Excaliber and it'll be my first time with a high power boat and twin screws. I've got years of experience with small single engine boats on the rivers here in Jacksonville, FL and the intercoastal waterway in the Largo/St. Pete, FL area. I've also been sailing my whole life and learned open water sailing and various navigation skills (all non-GPS) as a kid in the bay of Naples, Italy and beyond when I was in my teens.

With that being said, I've got a good knowledge base to start with but want to know which courses are recommended. Should I get a Captains license incase I want to venture out into open waters or one day, far into the future, start chartering day cruises with all of the boats I have? If so, which is the best route to go? Is the online courses sufficient or would the class room instruction be much better? I was grandfathered in to the system here in FL and don't require the boaters license but I'm taking the online course anyway. Beyond that, which direction do you recommend I go from there?

Barnacle

One of the best and it will help with insurance is tres martins course. He will help teach you about a offshore performance and help you learn yours better. Not cheap but worth it from the words of many on here. I wouldn't get a license unless you decide to charter it. Makes you legally more liable and costs money that you don't need to spend if not using it

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...-calendar.html

Here's his thread with dates and locations. Also you can get info on his site

Thank you. That is pricey, but looks like I need to start saving my allowance.

Spend the money on the TRES MARTIN course,it's better than spending money on legal or medical bills.

From my perspective.......

I too own several boats. With that, a requirement of a "licensed coast guard approved captain in good standing" must provide the orientation to the bare boat renter.......and that's exactly what I needed to become before I could get coverage.

With that, it is illegal to operate a vessel "for hire" without proper coastguard licensing.

I am 44, and started boating as a competitive water skier at 6. When I realized the requirements for my insurance and liability, I signed up with sea school.

In my time, I have had no less than 20, but more like 30 boats.

You would be amazed at what you DON'T know.

I just went through the Tres Martin School 2 months ago. I liked it a lot. Ask all the questions you want!. The topic that I wanted to really know better was hydrodynamics. Great stuff. As a professional pilot used to learning aerodynamics it was the information I needed to know operating a performance boat. If you are even mildly thinking about it..... take it...... your knowledge and skill sets wil be much better and safer.

What other courses are available besides Tres Martin.

Golf....much safer than boating at high speed

I will also vouch for Tres Martin's course. Took it this summer and learned a lot. It is a little bit pricey but well worth the money in the long run. Teaches you how to be a safer boater and not beat up your equipment running in an uncontrolled manner as well. But I am sure there are many other recognized coursed you can take until you can put together the cash for his course. Anything of a structured nature with certified instructors is a good start.