Do I need my own boat?

No. We offer training aboard your boat or ours. Renters, boat club members, and people considering a purchase are welcome. If you own a boat, learning aboard it helps you become familiar with its handling and equipment.

Do I need previous boating experience?

No. We start with your experience and goals, whether you’re new to boating, returning after time away, or working on a particular skill.

Do you offer classroom and on-water training?

Yes. Our Confident Boater classroom course covers practical boating knowledge and everyday decisions on the water. On-water lessons give you time at the helm to practice aboard your boat or ours. You can choose either option or combine them.

How many sessions will I need?

That depends on your starting point, goals, and the skills you want to develop. You may want a focused lesson on one topic or a series covering several areas. We’ll discuss a starting point and adjust as you progress.

Can my spouse or partner learn too?

Yes. Training is for anyone who wants to become more comfortable and capable aboard. Spouses, partners, and family members can build their own skills in boat handling, navigation, communication, and safety.

Can I train before buying a boat?

Yes. Training aboard our boat gives you practical experience before you purchase. It’s an opportunity to learn what operating a boat involves and discuss how different boats fit the activities you have in mind.

The Confident Boater
Boating Classes
in Naples and
Southwest Florida

Better Knowledge.
Better Days on the Water.

Now enrolling

The Confident Boater
Classroom
Boating Classes

Classroom course ·
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 · 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The Confidence to boat. The Freedom To Live.

Boating is about freedom. Exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, and creating memories that last a lifetime. But that freedom comes with responsibility, and the more you know, the more confidently you can enjoy it.

The Confident Boater was created to help you build that confidence through practical knowledge, real-world experience, and a better understanding of the water.

Our interactive boating classes in Naples, FL, bring more than 30 years of boating experience into the classroom, helping new and experienced boaters develop the knowledge and judgment to make safer, smarter decisions.

From understanding the conditions around you to knowing how to respond when things don’t go as planned, you’ll gain practical insights you can use every time you head out.

Because the best days on the water begin with knowing you’re prepared.

The Confident
Boater

Know More. Worry Less. Enjoy Boating More.

A full day of practical boating education, real-world advice, great stories, good conversation, and lunch—all designed to help you become a safer, smarter, and more confident boater.

Join Captain Bill for practical lessons on understanding your boat, reading the water, and making better decisions at the helm. Bring your questions, share experiences, and meet fellow local boaters.

Length

Six Hours

Where

Naples, Florida

Includes

Lunch

Your day includes

Breakfast and a morning social
Interactive classroom instruction and course materials
Lunch, snacks, and refreshments
Swag, special offers, and a chance to win boating-related giveaways
A beer and wine social after class

Upcoming classes 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Wed

Nov 2026

Wed

Dec 2026

Tue

Jan 2027

$295

Registration

Bring one guest at no charge

Scholarships: $25 total

Thanks to scholarship support from Sunshine Without Borders Foundation and Naples Cancer Advisors, selected applicants can attend for just $25 total, including one guest at no additional charge.

Scholarship availability is limited, and submitting an application does not confirm your place. We’ll follow up with your scholarship and attendance details.

What You’ll Learn

Understand the Weather

Wind and its effect on your boat, sea conditions, marine forecasts and go/no-go decisions.

Know Your Boat

Basic boat systems, pre-departure checks, fuel planning and range.

Know Your Water

Tides and currents; channels, markers and aids to navigation; water depth, draft and clearance.

Apps That Make Boating Easier

Boating apps and navigation tools.

Navigate With Confidence

GPS and chartplotters, reading nautical charts, route planning, passes, inlets, bays and shallow water.

Handle the Boat

Docking strategies, using wind and current, close-quarters handling, line handling, knots and anchoring.

Be Ready for the Unexpected

Safety equipment, emergency procedures, running aground, engine failure and someone overboard.

Using AI for Boating

Planning a boating day; understanding weather, tides, routes and boating information.

Rules, Communication & Courtesy

VHF radio, contacting the Coast Guard, Rules of the Road, right-of-way, etiquette, manatee and speed zones.

Who Is The Confident Boater For?

A Full Day Designed
Around Better Boating

One Registration. Two Boaters. One Full Day. $295. A Before-Lunch Money Back Guarantee
CLICK NOW TO APPLY!

The Confident Boater Scholarship

$25

Selected applicants can attend for just $25 total, including one guest at no additional charge.

100%

A limited number of full scholarships are also available, covering admission for you and your guest.

Free for two

Current Sunshine clients receive complimentary admission for two and can contact Captain Bill directly to attend.

Referred

Applicants referred by a participating dealer, club, or marina also qualify for complimentary admission—please name your referral organization on the application.

Partners in Better Boating

There are several ways to be part of The Confident Boater.

What we
cover

Navigation and Electronics

Learn to use charts, channel markers, chartplotters, and boating apps to plan and follow a route. Explore additional electronics as appropriate to the boat and your goals.

Anchoring, Lines and Knots

Practice useful knots, handling lines, and choosing an anchoring location. Understand scope, holding, retrieval, and securing a boat as tides change.

Docking and Close-Quarters Handling

Practice approaching and leaving the dock, working with wind and current, using dock lines, and knowing when to stop and reset your approach.

Boat Systems and Basic Troubleshooting

Get familiar with fuel, electrical, cooling, and bilge systems. Learn pre-departure checks, recognize warning signs, and understand when to seek help.

Weather and Local Waters

Understand forecasts, tides, currents, and how they affect your plans. Build familiarity with Southwest Florida’s passes, shallow areas, and local boating conditions.

Boat Handling Underway

Understand steering, speed, trim, wakes, and changing conditions. Learn how the rules of the road guide your decisions around other boats.

Safety and Emergency Preparation

Know your safety equipment and how to use it. Learn VHF communication and how to respond to a person overboard, fire, or loss of propulsion.

READY TO BECOME A
CONFIDENT BOATER?

Build your knowledge, strengthen your confidence, and make the most of every day on the water. Join The Confident Boater classroom course in Naples, Florida.

Who THIS COURSE DESIGNED FOR

New Boaters and
Future Owners

Start building skills aboard our boat, or get familiar with one you’ve just purchased. Learn what operating a boat involves and what to consider when choosing one.

Experienced and
Returning Boaters

Refresh your skills, work on a specific challenge, or get comfortable with a different boat. Instruction builds on your experience and focuses on what you want to learn.

Renters and
Boat Club Members

You don’t have to own a boat to benefit from training. Practice aboard ours and build skills in handling, docking, navigation, and planning for your time on the water.

Spouses, Partners
and Family

Become more comfortable and involved aboard. Learn to help with lines, keep a lookout, use the radio, and take the helm, including preparing for situations when the usual operator needs help.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE CONFIDENT BOATER

This isn’t your typical boating class. The Confident Boater is a six-hour, interactive classroom experience built around real-world boating situations, practical knowledge, and the lessons learned from more than 30 years on the water.

Through group discussions, hands-on activities, demonstrations, and real-life scenarios, we’ll explore everything from weather, tides, navigation, and rules of the road to safety, boat handling, and making better decisions on the water.

Whether you’re a new boater or have years of experience, you’ll walk away with knowledge you can put to use the next time you leave the dock.

Learn By Doing

Forget sitting through hours of lectures. You’ll work through real boating situations, practice knots and line handling, explore navigation tools, and share experiences with fellow boaters.

Questions and participation are encouraged.

Learn from Experience

Captain Bill brings over 30 years of boating knowledge into the classroom, with a special focus on the waters around Naples, Marco Island, and Southwest Florida. Learn from real situations, common mistakes, and practical lessons that help you become a more capable boater.

COME CURIOUS. LEAVE MORE CONFIDENT.

EVER FIND YOURSELF WONDERING,
“WHAT IF?”

Even experienced boaters encounter situations that make them second-guess themselves. Sometimes it’s a changing forecast, an unfamiliar waterway, or simply not knowing what to expect.

The Confident Boater is built around the real questions boaters face every day. We talk through the situations, explore the options, and help you develop the judgment to make confident decisions.

Common questions

Do I need any boating experience to attend?

Not at all. The Confident Boater is designed for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced boaters looking to refresh their knowledge. We explain the fundamentals in plain language while sharing practical insights that even seasoned captains can appreciate.

What if I already have years of boating experience?

Is this a classroom course or will we actually go boating?

Can I attend with my spouse, partner, or a friend?

Will this course help me navigate around Naples and Marco Island?

Will I receive a boating license or certification?

On your boat, ours, or in the classroom.

Tell us about your experience and what you’d like to learn. Whether you own, rent, belong to a boat club, or are considering a purchase, we’ll help you choose the right training for your goals.

Every relationship begins with a conversation. No pressure, no presentation, and no obligation.

Your first call for exceptional living

The Confident Boater Boating Classes in Naples and Southwest Florida

Better Knowledge. Better Days on the Water.

The Confident Boater Classroom Boating Classes

The Confident Boater