Learn your boat, on your boat.

You bought the boat. Maybe it's larger than what you're used to. Maybe the marina has a tricky fairway, the current runs hard on ebb, or the last time you docked, something didn't feel right. That's the moment to work with a captain.

Owner instruction is exactly what it sounds like: private, one-on-one teaching aboard your vessel. We work at your pace, on the water you actually use, until the skills stick.

What we cover

• Docking & slip work — approach angles, spring lines, backing, wind and current strategy for your specific slip.
• Close-quarters maneuvering — turning in tight fairways, station-keeping, working single-screw and twin-screw boats.
• Anchoring — scope, set, swing room, and how to leave with confidence when the wind shifts.
• Vessel systems orientation — engines, batteries, seacocks, bilge, electronics, and safety gear on your specific boat.
• Emergency procedures — crew overboard, engine failure, loss of steering, radio protocol.
• Navigation basics — chart reading, tides and currents in the Bay and Delta, route planning.
• Practical seamanship — line handling, fenders, radio, weather judgment, and the small habits that separate confident owners from anxious ones.

Who this is for

New boat owners. Couples who want both partners equally capable. Experienced sailors moving to a bigger vessel — or from sail to power, or the reverse. Owners preparing for insurance-required training. And anyone who wants a calm, experienced captain aboard to help them feel at home on their boat.

How we work

Every plan is built around your boat, your marina, and what you want to accomplish. We start with a short call, agree on goals, then meet at your dock. Most owners see meaningful progress in the first session and full comfort within a handful of them.