Boat types
Pontoons, bowriders/runabouts, and surf/wake boats.
STAYING PUT
Anchoring & Mooring – staying put in Okoboji conditions.
Learn how to set, check, and retrieve anchors and tie into mooring systems with confidence.
WHO IT'S FOR
Is this the right course for you?
Good for families who beach, anchor in bays, or tie up with friends regularly.
Experience level
New captains, new-to-Okoboji boaters, or spouses/partners who want to share helm duties.
Where we train
Primarily on West Lake Okoboji, with other Iowa Great Lakes by request.
WHAT YOU'LL PRACTICE
Key skills in this module.
- Choosing a spot based on depth, bottom, wind, and nearby boats.
- Scope calculations without needing a calculator every time.
- Setting and checking the anchor so you know when it’s truly holding.
- Using mooring balls or shared lines without creating tangles.
EXAMPLE SESSION
How a typical session might flow.
- Dockside review of your anchor, rode, and hardware on your boat.
- On-the-water practice setting and resetting anchor in different depths.
- Dragging checks and reference-point techniques to see if you’re moving.
- Recovering and stowing gear so it’s ready next time without a mess.
ILLUSTRATION
Visual reference for this course.
