Recreational Boat Theory

Learn the basics of boating; from preparing your vessel to learning the Maritime 'rules of the road'

We are proud to have been sharing our boating adventures with visitors to the Wanaka region for over 50 years. Following this experience and our core value around safety, we have decided to share our knowledge from years on the water to make your boating experience not only safe now; but something you can continue to do for years with your friends and family. While there are no actual boat licences in New Zealand there are some pretty hefty fines and consequences for failing to know Maritime Laws and not following them.

Recreational Boat Theory

This course is designed for recreational boaties and crew, including those new to boating. It covers general knowledge required to operate a pleasure craft in favourable weather/water, at an introductory level.

  • Covers the introduction of a vessel, its parts, safety equipment and basic handling techniques.

  • Learn how to prepare for a day on the water and what you need to do prior to going out.

  • Look into your obligations as a skipper including Maritime Rules to make sure you're safe out on the water.

  • Learn how to deal with emergencies and how to protect on marine environment.

Course Overview

  • 1

    Know the Maritime Rules

    • Skipper Obligations

    • Rules for Encountering Other Vessels

    • Stick to a Safe Speed

    • Life Jackets

    • Know you Bylaws
  • 2

    Towing behind a Vessel

    • Watersports behind a Vessel

    • Types of Tow Ropes

    • Requirements to Tow a Person With a Vessel

    • General guidelines for all water sports
  • 3

    Towing a Skier

    • How to Tow a Water Skier

    • Pulling a Skier: waterskiing speed

    • Patterns for driving a boat for waterskiing

    • Boat driver tips for recovering a fallen water skier

    • Additional tips for pulling a water skier
  • 4

    Towing a Wakeboarder

    • How to Tow a Wakeboarder

    • Pulling a wakeboard: wakeboarding speed

    • Patterns for driving a boat for wakeboarding

    • Boat driver tips for recovering a fallen wakeboarder

    • Additional tips for pulling a wakeboarder
  • 5

    Towing a Tuber

    • Boat Tubing Basics

    • Where to tow tubers

    • Tubing Ropes

    • Pulling a tuber

    • Boat driver tips for recovering a fallen tuber