Boat types
Pontoons, bowriders/runabouts, and surf/wake boats.
FOUNDATION
Safety Basics – the gear and habits that prevent problems.
Cover the essential equipment checks and simple routines that prevent most on-water issues.
WHO IT'S FOR
Is this the right course for you?
Designed for new boat owners, new captains, or families upgrading to a bigger boat.
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.
- Life jacket selection, storage, and fitting for adults and kids.
- Fire extinguisher placement and quick-access habits.
- Fueling safety and engine compartment ventilation basics.
- Pre-departure checklist so small issues don’t become big ones on the water.
EXAMPLE SESSION
How a typical session might flow.
- Walk-through inspection of your actual boat and safety gear.
- Hands-on life jacket fitting and storage practice.
- Simulated pre-departure check before leaving the dock.
- End-of-session review of a simple checklist you can keep onboard.
ILLUSTRATION
Visual reference for this course.
