An interesting fact is that there are many marinas which allow motor boat rentals to clients with no experience or training from motor boat courses whatsoever. When an untrained captain first leaves the dock will be the most crucial aspect of the experience. The common assumption is that the boat will handle much like any vehicles the captain may be used to, such as his car. Obviously, a boat does not handle much like an automobile at all, beyond the existence of an "acceleration pedal" and a "steering wheel". Nevertheless, neither of these controls a boat in the same manner as their automotive counterparts.

Be mindful when renting a boat, to know precisely what to expect so you can properly control the watercraft while on the water. In other words, why would the marina rent out its precious craft to folks who did not know what they are doing? One answer is that most people get the hang of handling a boat once they have a little practice. Then again, this is only correct once they get away from the boat dock into open waters. Of course, the concept of expertise is immediately dispelled if the captain guns the boat when first starting out and begins to steer it toward the boat dock. The pier man will react quickly at that point.

If these are the obstacles facing an unaccustomed captain at a rental pier, envision how many more difficulties you could have when you purchase your own motor boat. You will encounter all sorts of problems if you do not completely understand how to control the boat straight away. Your boat will often live in a particular boat dock, and you do not want to garner the ire of your docking neighbors by steering your motorboat too closely to theirs. Careless boating is not typically tolerated as it endangers you but also those around you. Of course, the worst problem is that you might damage your own craft through your lack of education. To be able to start off on the right foot, choosing a motor boat course could be really beneficial.

Finding the right place to take your courses is extremely important. When evaluating a good school for your boating courses, a good attitude is vital. Obtaining a teacher who can appropriately train newcomers is important as well as working with a company who can educate you on all the valuable boating skills required. It is not acceptable or conducive to the learning process to have an instructor who is rude, abusive or is unable to control a class room environment.

Another indication of a good place to learn your motor boating is that they do not request you to use your own craft. Using their own crafts will typically be an indicator of a well qualified boating school. In addition, they will have a set program that they distribute to you even before you get on the craft. There will be no sense that they are just "taking you out and letting their experience rub off on you." In addition to lessons learned from practical experience out on the lake, more modern schools will have material available you can complete online in the comfort of your own home.

The best thing you will take away from your motor boat courses is a sense of self confidence that you can handle your craft as well as anyone on the lake. You will relax knowing you are not a hazard to either your craft or those of other people.