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Thinking about becoming a boating instructor—either a sailing instructor or powerboat instructor? In this episode, I walk through the exact NauticEd instructor pathway and what it takes to qualify, including the training process, standards, and experience requirements.

The 4 Steps to Become a NauticEd Instructor

1. Online Form – apply and tell us your background and goals
2. Take Courses – complete the NauticEd courses so you understand our system and tools
3. American National Standards – learn how we teach standards-based competence on the water
4. Call with our CEO – align on expectations, competence culture, and next steps

We also cover the baseline requirements: 100+ days of relevant experience (sail for sail instructors, power for power instructors). If you’re instructing in U.S. coastal waters, you’ll need a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License.

Want to go offshore with real confidence—not vibes? The NauticEd Offshore Sailing Bundle takes you from coastal sailing fundamentals into the decisions that matter offshore: weather planning, passage prep, navigation, safety, heavy-weather mindset, and best practices that reduce risk and stress when you’re out of sight of land. Perfect if you’re building miles, planning a longer passage, or stepping up from day sails to real trips.

If you’re running bigger power, you need more than basic boater ed. The NauticEd Skipper Large Powerboat Bundle is built for the realities of larger boats—close-quarters handling, systems awareness, safety planning, docking strategy, and the judgment calls that keep you, your crew, and your boat out of trouble. Ideal for new owners, movers-up, and anyone who wants to operate large powerboats with confidence and competence.

Most new boaters think getting a state boating license is all they need — but what does that license actually teach you? And what skills does it not cover? In this episode, we break down the real difference between a state boater card and actual boat-handling skills so you know exactly what you need to be confident and safe on the water.

You’ll learn:
• What your state boating license really covers (and what it doesn’t)
• Why docking, navigation, and chartplotter skills matter far more than people realize
• The difference between being legal and being skilled
• What the American National Standards are and why the U.S. Coast Guard supports them
• How to build real boating competence before your first trip or charter

Plan your next trip with NauticEd Yacht Charters

Ready to charter with confidence? Take NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Course to learn the exact skills charter companies expect—planning, docking, boat handling, systems, and real-world charter prep—so you show up prepared and enjoy the trip instead of stressing through it.

If you live in the United States or Canada and a Mediterranean yacht charter company just told you that you must have an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), this episode is for you. We walk through what charter companies actually mean when they say “you need an ICC” and how to get a license that really works when you show up in the Med.

Plan your next trip with NauticEd Yacht Charters

Ready to charter with confidence? Take NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Course to learn the exact skills charter companies expect—planning, docking, boat handling, systems, and real-world charter prep—so you show up prepared and enjoy the trip instead of stressing through it.

Thinking about a bareboat charter in the BVI or Mediterranean and wondering if you’re actually ready to skipper the boat yourself? In this episode, we break down what’s really involved in going on a bareboat charter and why even experienced racers can feel nervous about taking friends and family on a charter yacht.

This is not a full how-to lesson. It’s an honest overview of the main skill areas you need to be comfortable with and the training pathway NauticEd has built so you can go from nervous to confident.

Plan your next trip with NauticEd Yacht Charters

Ready to charter with confidence? Take NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Course to learn the exact skills charter companies expect—planning, docking, boat handling, systems, and real-world charter prep—so you show up prepared and enjoy the trip instead of stressing through it.

If you’re planning a bareboat charter, the rules are simpler than they sound: in most Caribbean destinations you typically need a boating resume, while in much of the Mediterranean (and places like the Seychelles) you usually need both a license and a resume.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What a boating resume is (and what charter companies/insurers want to see)
• Why the Caribbean often accepts resume-only
• Why the Mediterranean commonly requires a license + experience
• The difference between SLC vs ICC vs IPC and why some credentials get questioned
• The “zero-to-hero” problem: having a license, but not enough real experience to be approved

Plan your next trip with NauticEd Yacht Charters

Ready to charter with confidence? Take NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Course to learn the exact skills charter companies expect—planning, docking, boat handling, systems, and real-world charter prep—so you show up prepared and enjoy the trip instead of stressing through it.

Do yacht charters have to run Saturday to Saturday? Sometimes—but not always. In this episode, we break down how charter schedules work by destination, and what to expect for start days, trip length, and check-in/check-out times.

You’ll learn:

• When Saturday-to-Saturday is common (and why)
• Why the Caribbean is often more flexible on start days and duration
• Why the Mediterranean typically follows 7-day increments and stricter turnover schedules
• Typical embark/disembark windows and how they affect your flights and hotels
• What a sleep aboard is and when it makes sense
• When early boarding / early check-in can help you leave the dock on day one
• The Mediterranean’s common Friday return-to-base + Saturday morning disembark process

Plan your next trip with NauticEd Yacht Charters

Ready to charter with confidence? Take NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Course to learn the exact skills charter companies expect—planning, docking, boat handling, systems, and real-world charter prep—so you show up prepared and enjoy the trip instead of stressing through it.

Thinking about a yacht charter but not sure how the booking process actually works?

In this episode, we walk through how to book a yacht charter step by step—from your very first inquiry with a charter agent all the way to embarking at the base and planning your next trip. You’ll learn what information you need to provide, how proposals work, what it means to put a boat “on option,” and what happens in the month before you sail.

Plan your next trip with NauticEd Yacht Charters

Ready to charter with confidence? Take NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Course to learn the exact skills charter companies expect—planning, docking, boat handling, systems, and real-world charter prep—so you show up prepared and enjoy the trip instead of stressing through it.

Thinking about a flotilla sailing trip or a group yacht charter, but not quite sure how it actually works? In this episode, we break down what a flotilla is, who it’s ideal for, and how joining a guided group can turn a good vacation into an incredible one.

We talk about the difference between by-the-cabin flotillas and chartering your own yacht to join the group, what’s typically included, and what kind of skipper qualifications or resume you need if you want to be the one in command of your own boat. You’ll also hear how flotillas give new skippers a built-in safety net, while experienced sailors get the benefits of a social group and a local expert who knows all the best anchorages, bays, and restaurants.

We’ll also walk through where and when NauticEd flotillas typically run—like the BVI, Greece (Ionian and Saronic), and Croatia—and why shoulder seasons are often the smartest time to go.

Plan your next trip with NauticEd Yacht Charters

Ready to charter with confidence? Take NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Course to learn the exact skills charter companies expect—planning, docking, boat handling, systems, and real-world charter prep—so you show up prepared and enjoy the trip instead of stressing through it.

Chartering with kids can be one of the best family vacations you’ll ever do—if you plan it the right way. In this episode, I break down how to make a family yacht charter safe, simple, and fun, especially with younger kids.

Plan your next trip with NauticEd Yacht Charters

Ready to charter with confidence? Take NauticEd’s Bareboat Charter Course to learn the exact skills charter companies expect—planning, docking, boat handling, systems, and real-world charter prep—so you show up prepared and enjoy the trip instead of stressing through it.

Planning a yacht charter or bareboat charter? In this episode, a charter agent breaks down the most common yacht charter mistakes that ruin trips—and how to avoid them. You’ll learn how to choose the right charter destination for your skills and the vacation vibe you want, why a license doesn’t always equal real competence (especially in busy marinas), how to pick the right boat for your crew (catamaran vs monohull, comfort and layout), how to budget beyond the boat price (airfare, transfers, food, activities), how to handle logistics like passports and arrival timing, and how to avoid overpacking, overprovisioning, and crew conflict so everyone has a great trip.