If you'd like to come and visit us at one of our functions to get a first-hand look at what we're all about, that's wonderful! Just reach out to any of the club officers and we'll make sure we save a place for you at our next event. However, if you're already convinced you want to become a member, please continue reading and find out how!

Step 1

First, download the membership form (PDF, 150KB), print it out and fill it in with the required information.

Step 2

Then, reach out to Mark Erway, our Membership Chairman. You can do this either via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or by telephone. (607-215-1624). Mark will confirm what the current membership dues will be.

Step 3

Mail a check (made out to "America's Boating Club - Finger Lakes Chapter") and the completed membership form to our membership chairman:

Mark Erway, Membership Chair
P. O. Box 310
Breesport, NY 14816

Step 4

Our Membership Chair will contact you once all of the information has been processed and a membership number gets assigned to you. Once you have this number, you can enjoy all of the perks that membership brings. Welcome aboard!

NOTE: While there is a way to join the USPS / America's Boating Club national organization online, we recommend against doing so for two reasons. First, it's slightly more expensive to join that way. Second, your membership will not be automatically associated with our local chapter and you'll have to go through another half a dozen additional steps to get this link established. Be lazy! Talk to our Membership Chairman and get it all done at once. 

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".

* 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.