New Boater - No Course

[ColdDuckCapt]

I purchased my first bow-rider for the 2009 Potomac River boating season. Pretty excited to get it wet this weekend. I literally just own the boat, lifejackets, trailer.... and of course a cooler. However, I am a little behind on a GPS or waterproof charts.

My friend (seasoned boater in my area) at work suggested I burn a few of the boss man's hours and look at Geowake. They offered some free stuff (i.e. iGoogle / Facebook widget) and nautical charts.

Can anyone recommend any home, office, iphone friendly places to explore local waters for free? Ya, free is important - just bought a boat!

[Dave the Canuck]

You might want to check the local reg's re flares/lights etc....

Have fun!

[ColdDuckCapt]

Not a bad idea. But you did remind me about flares. check!

[Pblais]

For MD try here:

my.Boat-Ed.com: Get Your Boating License with the Boat Maryland Course


They also have VA too plus all the 42 states that use a then card system. The course is actually free and covers the basis of don't kill yourself or others material. You get some other stuf too, but it is free and you can get the latest in rules and regs too. If you take the test and apss then you pay to get the card. It's a pretty good online coure and you just should know the stuff they cover. from there who knows where you might go. Hanging around could be a good idea too. There are links to a lot of other places if you dig around.

[ColdDuckCapt]

Thanks Pblais.

[Hud3]

A couple of websites with free NOAA nautical charts...

NOAA

NOAA's On-Line Chart Viewer

[Badsanta]

Look at Google earth. Please take a safty class. A small GPS or chart plotter fish finder would be great. Watch your wake, be consideraite of other boats. Enjoy the water.

[ColdDuckCapt]

Yea, Google Earth is great. That's why I enjoy using Geowake. Gives you the Google Maps and Earth WITH nautical overlays (charts, buoys,.....).

All great input. Thanks!