Learn to Power Boat

Since 1980, Gulf Islands Cruising School Ltd. has been providing quality boating instruction. We are the oldest cruising school in B.C. under continuous ownership. You will benefit from our 29 years of personal experience in operating boat instructional programs. Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) standards for Cruising, Coastal Navigation and Power boat are offered. If you are a boat owner and desire CYA Certification, you may take instruction on your own boat to reduce costs and learn in a familiar environment. We can travel to your location - please inquire.

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LOCATION:
Click on the square for an enlarged image of Vancouver Island.  Courses depart from Sidney, B.C., about 4 km.(2.5 miles) from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal. The Victoria International Airport and the Washington State Ferry Terminal in Sidney are close by.

CANADIAN YACHTING ASSOCIATION MEMBER SCHOOL

CHIEF INSTRUCTOR - Bruce Stott
Bruce  is certified as a Canadian Yachting Association Learn to Powerboat Instructor-Evaluator and has been teaching sailing and powerboating courses for over 38 years.  For more information on his credentials, click here.

There are four levels of certification:

Introduction to Boating introduces novice boaters to safe practices in preparing to leave the dock, while underway, and when returning to dock.
Basic Outboard Standard - To be able to operate safely in familiar waters as a skipper of a boat under six metres and powered by an outboard engine under 55kW(75hp).   Prerequisites - none
Basic Power boat Standard - To be able to operate safely in familiar waters as a skipper of a boat over six metres and powered by an engine over 55kW(75hp).   Prerequisites - none
Intermediate Power boat Standard - To be able to operate safely in familiar waters as a skipper of a power boat between eight to twelve metres with inboard engine(s), by day, in moderate wind and sea conditions.  Prerequisites - Basic Power boat Standard, VHF Restricted Radio Operator's Certificate (Marine Voluntary - ROC-M)

Fees:
CYA Power boat Skills Manual    $39
CYA Logbook                          $20
Registration fee - Basic            $13 
                      - Intermediate  $10
Pleasure Craft Operator exam    $35
Instructor                              $400/day or $60/hour
All above rates are subject to 5% GST.

If you don't have your own boat, you may charter one.  As brokers we can assist you in arranging a boat.  

The Basic Power boat Standard requires two to five days on the water depending on your previous experience.    The Intermediate Power boat Standard requires a live aboard cruise of at least 48 consecutive hours.  Usually these Standards are each taught as a five day live-aboard program.  A number of clients have chartered a boat for six days, taken the course at the start of their charter and finished the charter on their own. 

We can conduct the exam for the Pleasure Craft Operator's Card at the same time. 

The home-study Coastal Navigation course teaches the skills needed to safely navigate in coastal waters. The course may be taken at any time, however it is an advantage to complete this Standard prior to taking the Intermediate course.