Anyone know of any places that offer the Captain's License Course in Northern California? Or where I can go to find out? You'd think it would be easy to find but unfortunately it's quite the opposite. Thanks for the help.

Call your local coast gaurd office, they should be able to give you the info you need. I'm assuming you are looking for something like a 6-pack charter captains license?

Yeah, thanks JT.

Yeah we have sea school here... www.seaschool.com but i geuss thats only an east coast thing.

Check out this page, it should get you started. If I might ask out of curiosity what are you looking at getting into?

http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/

Ultimately I would like to get to the point of Charter Yachts. Way down the road but you have to start some where.

Cool, I work doing parasailing and I'm looking at possibly going to get my 6-pack this winter. Here most people start doing things like banana boats behind a jet-ski and work their way up. You're exactly right, you have to start somewhere, and the thing about it is money wise its not that bad for the "season". Best of luck to you...I'd be interested to see how many people around the forum are licensed captains. Its definately never a bad credential to have, opens a lot of doors, and teaches a level of seamanship most recreational boaters will never approach.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/marpers/examques/oupv.pdf

This is the offical list from the coast guard.

California Maritime Academy in Vallejo
C Quest in Fremont

there both pretty far from modesto.

Not to mention your insurance goes way down. Thanks bigshrimp. Fremont is only about an hour from me. I appreciate the help.

I am taking the classes with sea school here in August!

Just got mine! OUPV, with tow endorsement (highly recommend!) I used Seaschool.

Jim