Private Boat Lessons & On-Water Training
Private on-water boat handling training with Capt. Rick is the broad skills hub for practical confidence on your own boat. Choose the work that matches your next goal: boat control and open-water handling, focused marina and close-quarters practice, or a defined one-day course with two sessions.
Training is available in South Florida and New York / Long Island, on your boat, with travel available by arrangement. For concentrated dock and marina practice, see our private docking lessons. For the defined one-day format for one student or household, see our private on-water boat courses.
Choose the right training path
- Build broad handling confidence: use this page for private practice tailored to your boat, your experience, and the skills you want to use next.
- Need concentrated marina practice? Private docking lessons focus on dock departure and arrival, close quarters, wind, current, and controlled boat handling.
- Want a defined one-day format? Private on-water boat courses provide two sessions of about three hours for one student or household, with docking-first instruction followed by open-water and anchoring work.
Train a second-in-command or co-captain
Many boat owners want another person on the same boat to understand the controls, share routines, and take a turn at the helm. Private instruction can be for one student or a household, so the session can include practical turns and repeat the drills that matter to your crew. If family or friends want to attend a shared class, the semi-private group boat lesson format is one day with two sessions of about three hours for up to four people on your boat.
Boat lessons for beginners
If you are new to boating, or you just bought a boat and want calm, private practice before you head out alone, Boat Lessons is built for that start. You learn to drive a boat the way you will actually use it: slow-speed control, docking, and clear decisions on the water, with Captain Rick Mendez coaching from beside you.
Lessons are private and on the water, on your boat or ours, at your dock or an agreed meeting point from Miami to Stuart. This isn’t a classroom course with a short ride at the end. You get wheel time, feedback, and a plan for what to practice next. These private boating classes for beginners go at your pace: some students feel comfortable after two classes, while others keep training longer to build skills or meet an insurance company’s requirements.
What beginners usually work on first:
- Leaving the dock and coming back without rushing the approach
- Throttle feel, steering, and stopping with a plan
- Close-quarters pivots and controlled reverse in a fairway or basin
- Simple crew briefings so family or guests help instead of confuse
- Reading wind and current before you commit to a docking line
You don’t need prior experience. Bring whatever license or card your state requires; this training is practical boat handling, not a replacement for a required state course. Ready to start? Call or text (718) 956-5000 or email rick@boatlessons.com.
Semi-Private Training Classes
Private On Water
Boat Courses
Whether you’re new to powerboating or looking to boost your confidence in docking and close-quarters maneuvering, this course is perfect for you. The Boat Control On-Water Training Course Modules are specifically designed to teach essential boat handling skills to recreational boaters and individuals operating vessels for marine patrol. Led by an NSBC Certified Instructor, the course covers everything from safety equipment and pre-launch procedures to docking and refueling in tight spaces.
Continue with private docking lessons. We serve boaters in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, Jupiter, and Long Island—contact us to plan training on your boat.
Other Advanced Courses
All classes are designed for your needs
Looking for boat navigation classes? Our advanced courses cover nighttime navigation, plotting and trip planning, along with the navigation rules every boater needs.
- Advanced docking
- Nighttime
- Navigation
- Plotting and Trip planning
Open-water boat handling
Once you leave the marina basin, we practice control at speed and in open water — still on your boat.
What you’ll practice
- Planing speed — bring the boat up on plane and back to idle smoothly; trim for comfort, handling, and safety
- Stop from plane — decelerate so the wake does not overtake the stern; stop within about five boat lengths
- Emergency stop (J-stop) — advanced drill only, with passengers warned
- Straight-line runs — hold a heading at planing speed
- Sweeping turns — smooth 45° course changes to port and starboard
- Crossing wakes — warn crew, adjust speed and angle
- Beaching / leaving a beach — where suitable; protect the outdrive and watch for swimmers
- Man overboard drill — assign a spotter and approach slowly into wind/current
- Mooring arrival and departure — approach into wind/current; clear the buoy and lines
Private lessons. Home bases South Florida and New York / Long Island. Travel available. Call/text 718-956-5000.
For Florida’s Gold / Enhanced Boating Safety Card, we help with the on-water half of the NASBLA pathway (NSBC documentation). Details: Florida Gold Boating Safety Card.