Intermediate & Advanced Sailing and Boating Courses

Captain Deb’s Intermediate/Advanced 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.

Staying Safe Underway

Join Captain Deb for a comprehensive 2-hour course that equips boaters with essential skills and knowledge to assess their readiness for safe passage and confident cruising. Taught by an experienced, full-time cruiser, this course covers vital areas such as boat preparedness, captain and crew assessment, weather and navigation strategies, emergency procedures, and more. You’ll learn how to evaluate your decision-making, considering key factors like current and weather, to confidently navigate and reach new destinations.

Who should take this course?

1. Aspiring and experienced cruisers who want to improve their navigation and decision-making skills when preparing for longer passages.

2. Boat owners looking to assess their boat’s readiness and enhance their self-sufficiency at sea with essential tools like water-makers, safety equipment, and solar power.

3. Seasoned sailors or beginners planning voyages from the Bahamas to the USVI and Windward Islands, eager to learn about provisioning, customs, weather resources, and security considerations.

This course is designed to provide practical, confidence-boosting knowledge for those aiming to cruise safely and independently.

3 Hours

All materials are provided and include:

  • USCG ATON (PDF)
  • Reference Manual (PDF)
  • Color Flashcards (Lights, Day Flags, Sounds)

Upcoming Dates:

Staying Safe Underway

Ultimate Sailing & Boating Management

Make boat management a breeze!

Ultimate Sailing & Boating Management is a three-hour, hands-on course that will show you how to organize every detail of your boat operations with an exclusive tool created by an RYA Master Yachtsman. From inventory to crew scheduling, this tool keeps everything from part numbers to first-aid kits right at your fingertips, ensuring you’re always prepared.

This course covers:

  • Inventory management for parts and equipment.
  • Maintenance schedules for all boat systems.
  • Crew scheduling and documentation essentials.
  • Managing provisioning, first-aid kits, and safety equipment.
  • Access to a downloadable tool for seamless organization.

Who should take this course?
If you’re planning a long cruise or simply want to run a well-organized boat, this course is for you. Ideal for boaters of all levels who want to manage their vessel like a pro, this course provides a system for stress-free cruising that will serve you on any voyage!

The tool is provided for the course via download.

Upcoming Dates:

Ultimate Sailing & Boating Management

Chart & Chart Plotters

Navigate with confidence! In this immersive three-part course, Captain Deb will teach you to harness the power of charts and chart plotters for safe, precise navigation.

You’ll learn to interpret latitudes and longitudes, read underwater topography, and use tools like compasses, GPS, and AIS to plan each leg of your journey with ease.

Course highlights include:

  • Basics of reading and understanding nautical charts and plotters.
  • Plotting and measuring courses using latitudes, longitudes, and distance calculations
  • Using compass, currents, tides, and a compass rose for navigation
  • Hands-on practice with chart plotters, GPS, and navigation apps.

Who should take this course?
Perfect for sailors at all levels who want to become skilled navigators, this course will give you the tools to plot courses safely, manage weather and currents, and confidently explore your favorite destinations. Whether you’re new to charts or looking to refine your navigation skills, this course opens up a world of adventure!

    REQUIRED Materials (Not Included):

    NOAA Training Chart: 13205TR Map – January 1, 2012 

    Weems & Plath #176 Marine Navigation Ultralight Divider

    Weems & Plath Marine Navigation Parallel Ruler (Aluminum Arms, 15-Inch)

    Upcoming Dates:

    Chart & Chart Plotters

    Why and Who should take Captain Deb’s courses:

    Captain Deb’s extensive experience—spanning over 25,000 nautical miles across the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Great Lakes—makes her a seasoned guide and mentor in the world of boating. Having owned and operated various vessels, Deb understands the ins and outs of boating life from the practical to the adventurous. She combines expert instruction with a friendly, approachable style, making learning enjoyable and accessible.

    With Captain Deb, you’re not just learning skills; you’re joining a supportive community where she’ll make you feel right at home. Her courses create an encouraging environment for women, couples, and friends, focusing on safety, comfort, and the joy of boating.

    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

    Past students say

    I never knew what  that was, or why I was doing it, now I understand.”  “I have been in so many dangerous situations and I knew it my gut, and had no idea what to do, now I do!

    Dr. Bill Kirsch

    Deb you really did an impressive job  putting the logic of the courses, the clarity of the descriptions and content together, they are outstanding, great job!

    Ron

    The Rules of the Road class material was presented very well. It is highly recommended and will help both beginners as well as experienced to be safer sailors. Captain Deborah is a good instructor and her vast experience makes the course very worthwhile.

    Diane Silas

    Deborah was down to earth and engaging during the seminars that I took. She is personable, and willing to answer questions. I left my series of three seminars, feeling better about learning to sail.

    Danielle Rose

    Boating Basics tonight was a great start. I’m getting back into sailing and need all the education and inspiration I can get. Thanks so much for this!

    Priscilla

    Hi Captain Deb,
    I really enjoyed taking your seminars and seeing how you gently inspire confidence in the women through your example. Teaching from your boat in a beautiful location is also inspiring!  Thanks for the links. You reminded the women that sometimes they may need a licensed captain to certify their competence aboard for insurance purposes. That's somaething that the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association (CAPCA) may be able to help with, particularly for people in the mid-Atlantic states area, as well as in other eastern states. Good luck with your program of inspiration and empowerment!

    Lori

    Great, thank you.  Nice clear graphics and easy to read.  I have printed a copy for the boat.  This will be handy to use for cruising.

    Wanda

    Thank you for an Outstanding Class. I am a complete novice when it comes to sailing. After tonight, I Feel more confident about following my dream to sail. And you're a great teacher. I've taught for 40 years, so I know a good one when I see and experience one. Your passion, Knowledge, and delivery of information is off the charts! I look forward to more classes with you!

    Claudia Rose

    Deb is an absolute delight. I have taken three of her courses…Boating Basics, Rules of the Road and Charts & Chart Plotters.  I learned a great deal from each of her courses and had many laughs with Deb along the way.  I really like the Zoom format.  Deb is engaging and always encourages me to ask questions.  She is a wealth of knowledge.

    I have recently completed her Dream Builder program and I’m well on my way to “Living My Ocean Dream.”  I’m extremely grateful for Captain Deb! 

    Clara “CJ” Powell

    Captain Deb Marlor is the sailboat captain you want to follow. She lives on the water with the real experience of living in the environment. She is a woman of skill, discipline and order on the water to sail with the wind, teach others the ropes...or should I say the sheets of sailing. She has now written the best book I have ever seen that guides one through all the necessary steps to buy any boat. Navigating Buying a Boat by Captain Deb Marlor. I am using it to buy my next sailboat and so should you!