ABC - America's Boating Course (Spring) - Open to the Public
Materials Fee: $35.00
Dates: Apr 12 & 19 in-person or online; Exam Apr 19 in-person; Saturdays 8:30 AM - 5PM
Location: Bayport Marina Clubhouse (200 5th Ave S, Bayport)
This boating safety course is being offered by the St. Paul Sail and Power Squadron. Please click the registration button below to navigate to their Squadron website for registration.
The state of MN recognizes this course to fulfill the requirements for a Watercraft Operator's Permit Note - The test required for NASBLA certification must be taken in person - Saturday afternoon, April 19.
This course or equivalent course is required for Minnetonka Squadron Island Stickers/Access. This course does NOT earn you an advanced grade.
If you are a new member or know of people considering membership, this is your class!
Online Boating Safety Course (ABC)
Materials Fee: $34.95 (in most states)
Dates: Online Self-paced
Location: Online
This boating safety course is designed for boaters using all types of watercraft.
No matter how much experience you have with boating, it is important to have the knowledge needed to keep your passengers, yourself and your boat safe.
Learn the skills you need to be safe while boating. Take the finest National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) recognized online boating safety course available. By enrolling in the America's Boating Course you will learn navigation rules, water sports safety and other valuable boater safety skills.
Note, this course does NOT earn you an advanced grade.
State of MN does NOT recognize the online course to fulfill the requirements for an Operator's Permit (not a proctored exam).
This material covers:
- Rules of the road
- Required safety equipment
- Navigation aids
- Lights and sounds
- Anchoring
- Communications
- Adverse conditions
- Water sports safety
- Trailering
- Personal watercraft safety
- State and local regulations
- Knots and lines handling
Learn the basics of boating at your own pace, at home or away, with the U.S. Coast Guard recognized America's Boating Course.
This course or equivalent course is required for Minnetonka Squadron Island Stickers/Access; if you are a new member or know of people considering membership, this is your class!
Boat Handling (Advanced Grade) - On Demand
Materials Fee: $67.50
Dates: On Demand
Location: https://uspsonline.enrolmart.com/
Boat Handling, formerly Seamanship, is available on demand and successfully passing the final exam will earn you an Advanced Grade (S). An Advanced Grade is necessary for all members who want to have Minnetonka Island Privileges. You must earn an Advanced Grade before the start of the third summer of your membership to qualify for an island use sticker.
Boat Handing is intended for newer recreational boaters who have completed a basic boating class (i.e. Americas's Boating Course) and want to learn more about skilled boat handling in a variety of situations. It is offered as a complete course covering six topics.
The six modules in Boat handling are:
- Rules of the Road: Â A Practical Approach
- Confidence in Docking and  Undocking: Slow-Speed Maneuvering
- Boating with Confidence:Â Handling Your Boat Under Way
- Anchoring with Assurance: Don’t Get Carried Away
- Emergencies on Board:Â Preparation for Handling Common Problems
- Knots and Line Handling:Â Knots You Need to Know
For more information contact the Minnetonka Power Squadron Education Officer at [email protected]
Marine Navigation (Advanced Grade) - On Demand
Materials Fee: $67.50
Dates: On Demand
Location: https://uspsonline.enrolmart.com/
Marine Navigation teaches you how to chart and follow a course on the water. It is a full course offered by the United States Power Squadrons, America’s Boating Club. This online, self-study course consists of a comprehensive student guide, six fully narrated online modules, a practice cruise with answers, and an optional online exam. The practice cruise gives the student practical, hands-on experience in charting. The narrated modules present like classroom PowerPoint presentations but give the student total control of the pace and sequence of the slides.
Members successfully completing of this course will earn an Advanced Grade (P).
The course covers the following:
- Planning
- Electronic Navigation using OpenCPN
- Paper Chart Navigation
- Navigating Coastal Waterways
- Navigating Inland Waterways
The online test covers material contained in the Student Guide, the online modules and the practice cruise. This course is the replacement for the Piloting course. Members of America's Boating Club who take this online course and pass the online exam will get credit for Marine Navigation the same as if they had taken the course in a classroom setting. Many boat insurance companies offer savings for America's Boating Club courses.
Typically, Marine Navigation is taken after Boat Handling and before Advanced Marine Navigation, although the sequence of course completion is left to the individual student.
For more information contact the Minnetonka Power Squadron Education Officer at [email protected]
Vessel Safety Examiner Certification
Members of America's Boating Club are encouraged to become Vessal Safety Examiners (VSC).  The VSC program helps to boaters achieve voluntary compliance with federal and state recreational boating safety laws, particularly regarding helping ensure boaters have the necessary safety equipment. It also raises boaters' awareness of safety issues through one-on-one inspection of the owner's boat by volunteer vessel examiners. This service is a fundemental part of what our boating club is all about. If you are interested in becoming part of the Vessal Safety Examiner team, please the "Learn More" button below or contact the Minnetonka Power Squadron Administrative Officer at [email protected] to get more information.
Inland Navigator Certification
Materials Fee: $50
Inland Navigator is the first level of the BOC program. The focus is on basic powerboat operation and general boating knowledge. The Basic Powerboat Handling skills are the same skills included in the Hands-On Training (HOT) program.
By registering (click the button below) you will receive the IN Starter Kit which includes a copy of "Start Boating Right" and a passport to recored your progress towards the Inland Navigator Certificate. Your passport will be signed by your instructors as you complete a skill, course, or seminar.
Inland Navigator Requirements
- Americas Boating Course
- Boat Handling (Seamanship) Course
- Marine Electrical Systems Course
- How To Use a Chart Seminar (or Marine Navigation Course)
- Basic Weather & Forecasting Seminar (Online)
- Using Your GPS Seminar (or Marina Navigation Course)
- Using VHF and VHF/DSC Marine Radio Seminar (Online)
- Basic Powerboat Handling (OTW Training)
- Use of Fire Extinguishers
Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Coastal Navigator Certification
Materials Fee: $50
Coastal Navigator (CN) is the second level of the BOC program. The focus is on coastal operation and coastal navigation. Inland Navigator certification is a prerequisite.
By registering (click the button below) you will receive the CN Starter Kit which includes a passport to record your progress towards the Coastal Navigator Certificate and a Marine Calculator. Your passport will be signed by your instructors as you complete a skill, course, or seminar.
Coastal Navigator Requirements
- Inland Navigator Certification
- Marine Communication Systems Course
- Marine Navigation (or Piloting) Course
- Weather Course
- Tides and Currents Seminar (or Advanced Marine Navigation course)
- NAV - On-the-Water Navigation
- PD - Use of Pyrotechnic Distress Signals
Please contact [email protected] for more information.