Basic Courses
Captain Deb’s Sailing / Boating Courses
The purpose of these courses is to teach you the foundational knowledge of safety on the water so you can be comfortable boating and sailing and build your skills to competency. The goal is to have our waterways filled with competent, safe boaters, where we can have more people enjoying recreational watersports safely with fewer accidents and fatalities.
Sailing & Boating Basics for Women
Discover a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment in Sailing & Boating Basics for Women, a course designed by Captain Deb Marlor with you in mind.
This course is for women who want to dive into the world of sailing and boating confidently, safely, and with the right foundation. Whether you’re completely new or have some experience, Captain Deb has crafted this program to ensure that every woman feels at home on the water.
With years of experience and a passion for empowering women in boating, Captain Deb prioritizes a safe, respectful learning space where no question is too small. She knows that life is busy and demanding, so she’s created a flexible structure with live, interactive sessions and a comprehensive On-Demand Portal that you can access anytime, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace.
Why Choose This Course?
- Women-Only Space: This course was created by Captain Deb based on women’s requests for a safe, inclusive space to learn. Many of us didn’t have the opportunity to learn about sailing and boating, but now, you do. Knowledge is power, and Deb is here to support you every step of the way.
- Safety First: Boating safety isn’t just a lesson; it’s a mindset. You’ll learn the essentials of water safety, protecting yourself, your passengers, and your vessel. By building a strong foundation in safety, you’ll feel more at ease and prepared to handle situations with confidence.
Course Structure and Resources
This course includes three, live one-hour sessions alongside a rich On-Demand Portal packed with all the essentials. You’ll have access to:
- Detailed Glossary of sailing and boating terms
- Video Tutorials demonstrating fundamental skills
- Checklists for marina etiquette, VHF radio usage, and best practices
- Special Tips for those sailing with kids Captain Deb also covers essential but often overlooked topics in traditional sailing schools, like boat equipment care and maintenance, that can save you time, money, and help you keep your boat in top shape.
Complete the course and earn a Certificate of Completion, knowing you’re ready for safe, enjoyable time on the water. With Captain Deb’s supportive guidance, you’ll gain confidence, skills, and a trusted resource for your boating journey.
Sailing and Boating Basics CoEd (Couples/Partners)
Discover a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment in Sailing & Boating Basics for Couples, a course designed by Captain Deb Marlor with you in mind.
This course is for Couples/Partners who want to dive into the world of sailing and boating confidently, safely, and with the right foundation. Whether you’re completely new or have some experience, Captain Deb has crafted this program to ensure that every person feels at home on the water.
With years of experience and a passion for empowering men and women in boating, Captain Deb prioritizes a safe, respectful learning space where no question is too small. She knows that life is busy and demanding, so she’s created a flexible structure with live, interactive sessions and a comprehensive On-Demand Portal that you can access anytime, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace.
Why Choose This Course?
- Couples/Partners Space: This course was created by Captain Deb based on requests for a safe, inclusive space to learn. Many of us didn’t have the opportunity to learn about sailing and boating, but now, you do. Knowledge is power, and Deb is here to support you every step of the way.
- Safety First: Boating safety isn’t just a lesson; it’s a mindset. You’ll learn the essentials of water safety, protecting yourself, your passengers, and your vessel. By building a strong foundation in safety, you’ll feel more at ease and prepared to handle situations with confidence.
Course Structure and Resources
This course includes three, live one-hour sessions alongside a rich On-Demand Portal packed with all the essentials. You’ll have access to:
- Detailed Glossary of sailing and boating terms
- Video Tutorials demonstrating fundamental skills
- Checklists for marina etiquette, VHF radio usage, and best practices
- Special Tips for those sailing with kids, grandchildren, Captain Deb also covers essential but often overlooked topics in traditional sailing schools, like boat equipment care and maintenance, that can save you time, money, and help you keep your boat in top shape.
Complete the course and earn a Certificate of Completion, knowing you’re ready for safe, enjoyable time on the water. With Captain Deb’s supportive guidance, you’ll gain confidence, skills, and a trusted resource for your boating journey.
Staying Safe Underway
Set sail with confidence! Staying Safe Underway is an essential course that keeps you, your crew, and fellow boaters safe by teaching the foundational rules of navigation. You’ll master critical skills like understanding right-of-way, vessel hierarchy, and communication best practices to make sound, real-time decisions on the water.
In this fun and informative course, you’ll learn:
- Who has the right of way on the water
- How to confidently pass other vessels
- Night cruising skills – decoding vessel lights
- The importance of day flags, channel markers, and using marked channels for safe passage
Who should take this course?
This class is ideal for beginner to intermediate boaters eager to gain confidence and practical knowledge to cruise safely. If you’re a new boater or eyeing the next step toward Captain’s School, this course gives you a solid safety foundation for any adventure!
3 Hours
All materials are provided and include:
- USCG ATON (PDF)
- Reference Manual (PDF)
- Color Flashcards (Lights, Day Flags, Sounds)
Why and Who should take Captain Deb’s courses:
You bought the boat and every time you go out its crazy, and chaotic, and its really supposed to be a calm, fun time with the family. Instead, its yelling, nervousness, and it always happens to you. Why?
Are you new to boating and/or sailing? You love the water and you have a boat, and never knew there were Rules. You are wondering how you will ever learn everything.
Want to be sure your kids have great role models when it comes to safety on the water?
You sailed or spent your childhood on the lake with boats, and its been 20 – 30 years, and now you are called to that special place the ocean. Its time to revisit, see what’s changed and know you have a solid foundation.
You have the watercrafts and never took a class, you are self-taught.
You plan to do the Great Loop and have never been off the Great Lakes.
Captain Deb can be your trusted resource in this vast marine industry! She is fun, knowledgeable, and has 25,000 nautical miles of time at the helm, great stories, and will make your time on the water more fun, comfortable and safer. She has sailed the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and The Great Lakes, in addition to owning Power boats and playing on the rivers in Idaho for 8 years.
Sailing and Boating’s
“Rules of the Road Flash Cards”
Contains over 35 cards to make learning and memorization easy.
They are the perfect size of playing cards, colorful and laminated.
The set includes:
- 12 Day Flags Cards
- 12 Light Flags Cards
- 11 Sound Signal Cards
You will find your Day Flags, Light Signals, and Sound Signals. Make this the easy part of the Captain’s test.
This is a great tool if you are preparing for your captain’s test or to have aboard your boat when you are sailing at night.
You will be confident and knowledgeable when you encounter vessels with their identifying lights system at night.
Learn the “Rules of the Road” with these easy-to-use flashcards to ensure your safety whether you are passing a dredge or see the lights of a Tugboat towing a barge.
(Our Sailing and Boating Rules of the Road flashcards meet the United States Coast Guard criteria for Navigation rules)
Meet Captain Deb!
Deb began her boating experiences as a child on Lake Chautauqua New York, and Lake Erie. Boating and sailing were safe and fun memories. Sailing began on Lake Erie in the late 70’s where sailing was competitive and fun. Deb sailed with the Tartan team from Mentor, Ohio and learned racing skills, dealing with extraordinary weather conditions and lots of fun. She attended a performance race clinic in Florida that sealed the dream! She was hooked. Her career took her to San Francisco where the sailing/racing in San Francisco bay was amazing.
Testimonials
