BOSTON WORKSHOP FIELD GUIDE
Three Evenings to Powerboat Confidence in Boston
A three-day beginner powerboating course combining a virtual classroom and on‑water training that builds foundational seamanship and leads to recognized AB 101 certification.
Three Evenings to Powerboat Confidence in Boston.
Master core powerboating skills in just three concentrated evenings with First Reef Sailing’s American Boating (AB) 101 Beginner Powerboating Course in Boston. The course pairs a virtual classroom with hands‑on on‑water sessions to teach boat handling, navigation basics, safety procedures and emergency readiness so students leave capable of operating small recreational powerboats with confidence.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Recognized Certification & Practical Outcomes
AB 101 awards recognized certification that qualifies students to operate recreational powerboats and teaches essential safety equipment use, fueling and engine procedures, and basic navigation and collision‑avoidance rules.
Evening On‑Water Training
The course emphasizes practical, on‑the‑water skill development—docking, throttle and steering control, and mooring—in calm to moderate conditions so students build real boat‑handling confidence under instructor guidance.
Foundations of Safe Powerboating
Instruction covers boat types and propulsion, hull shapes, local regulations and hazard identification, pre‑departure checks and emergency procedures; the course uses Powerboating Made Easy as its textbook.
What the day feels like
What the course feels like
Three concentrated evenings—starting with a virtual classroom and concluding with two on‑water sessions and a certification exam—deliver a focused progression from theory to practice: classroom concepts are immediately reinforced at the helm, and by the final evening participants demonstrate the fundamental skills needed for independent recreational powerboating.
QUALIFICATION
Recognized Certification & Practical Outcomes
AB 101 awards recognized certification that qualifies students to operate recreational powerboats and teaches essential safety equipment use, fueling and engine procedures, and basic navigation and collision‑avoidance rules.
HANDS‑ON
Evening On‑Water Training
The course emphasizes practical, on‑the‑water skill development—docking, throttle and steering control, and mooring—in calm to moderate conditions so students build real boat‑handling confidence under instructor guidance.
CURRICULUM
Foundations of Safe Powerboating
Instruction covers boat types and propulsion, hull shapes, local regulations and hazard identification, pre‑departure checks and emergency procedures; the course uses Powerboating Made Easy as its textbook.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits best.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Students should have the course textbook: Powerboating Made Easy.
Powerboating Made Easy is the designated textbook for the AB 101 course curriculum.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the course and when are sessions held?
The course runs three days with evening sessions: Day 1 virtual classroom 5:00pm–9:00pm; Day 2 on‑water 5:00pm–9:00pm; Day 3 on‑water 5:00pm–8:30pm with the certification exam 8:30pm–9:00pm.
Is there a virtual component?
Yes—Day 1 is a virtual classroom session from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
What will I be certified to do after AB 101?
AB 101 certification qualifies you to operate a recreational powerboat of appropriate size, use required safety equipment, perform fueling and engine procedures, and navigate according to basic nautical rules.
What topics and skills are covered?
Instruction covers boat types, hull shapes, propulsion, basic navigation, docking and mooring techniques, pre‑departure checks and emergency procedures, with hands‑on boat handling practice.
Is there a textbook or required reading?
Yes—Powerboating Made Easy is the textbook used for the course.
What size boats does the course prepare me to operate?
The course is designed to build foundational skills for operating recreational powerboats in coastal waters; course materials state suitability for boats up to 30 feet for beginners.