Welcome!

The members of the Finger Lakes Chapter of America's Boating Club welcome you to their web site!

The Finger Lakes Chapter is a boating fraternity located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Its members are dedicated to the art, science and tradition of boating. Whether your preference is to travel by wind or under power, you will find like-minded individuals here that share your interests.

The primary purpose of America's Boating Club is to serve as a source for boating education. Formal and informal classes are available that cover the basics all the way up to advanced techniques that can be used to circle the globe. Check out the link to our educational pages on this web site to learn more.

We have a fun-loving side, too. Members get together on a regular basis to enjoy good food, good drink, and good company throughout the year. When possible, guest speakers are brought in to share stories and experiences on a variety of subjects. To see what’s coming up, check out the event schedule.

While you are here, feel free to browse around and explore the site. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact any of the Bridge Officers or web site contacts.

Boating Safety Course Available Now!

Need a boating safety course to satisfy New York's Brianna's Law requirements? There's one being offered this August. Click HERE for more information!

To register, scroll to the bottom of the page.

To register for this class online, choose one of the following options:

  • Register on the national USPS Web Site.
  • Contact Education Director Jim McGinnis via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Call Jim at  607-346-5408

 

The table below shows how all of our courses and seminars map into different certification levels within America's Boating Club. Vertical columns show the different Boat Operator Certification Levels, progressing from left to right. Rows indicate related courses or sequences of courses that are often classified together. Once a student has completed all of the courses, seminars and skill demonstrations in a column, they can receive the Boat Operator Certification listed at the top of the column.

Completion of each course in the Navigation Series will result in the award of a "Grade" (shown below each course name). Each grade after "Seaman" has the prerequisite of the grade to the left of it in order to be awarded.

The Educational Proficiency Award is given to students who attain the grade of "Advanced Pilot" and complete at least three elective courses.

The Educational Achievement Award, also known as a "Full Certificate", is awarded to students who attain the grade of "Navigator" and complete all of the elective courses. Recipients of this award are then awarded a grade of "Senior Navigator".

 

Inland Navigator

Coastal Navigator

Advanced Coastal Navigator

Offshore Navigator

Other

Classes

NAVIGATION COURSE SERIES

Boat Handling
  Seaman

Marine Navigation
  Pilot

Advanced Marine Navigation 
  Advanced Pilot

Offshore Navigation 
  Junior Navigator

Celestial Navigation 
  Navigator

MARINE ELECTRONICS SERIES

 

 

Marine Electrical Systems

Marine Communications Systems

Marine Navigation Systems

ELECTIVE COURSES

Engine Maintenance

Weather

Cruise Planning

Radar

Sail

NASBLA Approved Boating Course

 

 

 

Operations Training

 

 

 

 

Instructor Development

Seminars

How To Use A Chart

Tides & Currents

Emergencies On Board

Computer Weather Forecasting

Instructor Recertification

VHF/DSC Marine Radios

Rules of the Road

Marine Radar

Thunderstorms / Severe Weather

Boating on Rivers, Locks & Lakes

Using GPS

Anchoring

 

 

 

Onboard Weather Forecasting

Mariner’s Compass

 

 

 

Other

 

First Aid

First Aid

First Aid

 

 

CPR / AED

CPR / AED

Skills

Basic Powerboat Handling

Coastal Navigation

Advanced Coastal Navigation

Offshore Navigation

 

Fire Extinguishers

Pyrotechnics

 

 

* Course titles in italics are not offered by America's Boating Club. Sign up with for these courses with your local chapter of the American Red Cross or American Heart Association for these courses. 

May 2022

01 Finger Lakes Drum May issue publication date.
01 The Deep 6 spring issue publication date. (D/6)
02 Sail class begins, Schuyler County Human Resource Complex, Montour Falls, NY (1900)
10 Bridge Meeting (1900)
11 Spring Social Event, Seneca Wine & Cheese Company, Watkins Glen, NY (1800)
21-27 Safe Boating Week (National)

June 2022

14 Bridge Meeting (1900)
17 Deadline for Drum Articles

July 2022

01 Finger Lakes Drum July issue publication date.
11 Engine Maintenance course begins. (1900)
12 Bridge Meeting (1900).
22 Deadline for The Deep 6 articles. (D/6)
29-31 Summer Rendezvous, Sampson State Park Marina.

August 2022

01 The Deep 6 summer issue publication date. (Delayed to cover Rendezvous activities.) (D/6)
09 Bridge Meeting (1900)
26 Deadline for Drum Articles

September 2022

01 Finger Lakes Drum September issue publication date.
11-18 National Governing Board Meeting, Raleigh, NC. (National)
13 Bridge Meeting (1900)

October 2022

11 Bridge Meeting (1900)
15 Deadline for The Deep 6 articles (D/6)
21 Deadline for Drum articles.
TBA District 6 Fall Council & Conference (D/6)

November 2022

01 Finger Lakes Drum November issue publication date
01 The Deep 6 fall issue publication date. (May be delayed to cover Conference activities.) (D/6)
08 Bridge Meeting (1900)

December 2022

16 Deadline for Drum articles.

January 2023

01 Finger Lakes Drum January issue publication date
10 Bridge Meeting (1900)
15 Finger Lakes Change of Watch, Online/Virtual (1300).
20 Deadline for D/6 The Deep 6 articles. (D/6)

February 2023

01 The Deep 6 winter issue publication date. (D/6)
08 Bridge Meeting (1900)
19-26 USPS Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (National)
20 Deadline for Drum articles.

March 2023

01 Finger Lakes Drum March issue publication date.
14 Bridge Meeting (1900)

April 2023

11 Bridge Meeting (1900)
14 Deadline for The Deep 6 articles (D/6)
21 Deadline for Drum articles.
TBA District 6 Spring Councel & Conference (D/6)