For Newly Licensed Boaters • No Boat Required
Practical Powerboat Handling Course on Sydney Harbour
Recently licensed or preparing to hire a boat? Build practical confidence before you skipper independently.
Train on the BoatWise vessel. No boat required. Practise docking, reversing, slow-speed control, anchoring and managing wind and current.
Choose small-group or private training. Calm, hands-on coaching on Sydney Harbour, matched to your confidence and goals.
Mosman • Private training from $745 incl. GST • Maximum 2 participants
No Boat Required. Train on the BoatWise Vessel
You do not need to own a boat for this course. Training takes place aboard BoatWise’s purpose-built 6.5 m Gemini 650 Waverider on Sydney Harbour.
Its open layout gives your instructor clear visibility while you practise slow-speed control, docking, reversing, marina manoeuvring, anchoring and managing wind and current in a controlled training environment.
It is the practical next step after completing your NSW boat licence course and a smart way to build confidence before you hire, rent or skipper a boat independently. If you already own a boat and want training aboard your own vessel, choose Private Boat Tuition.
Purpose Built for Better Training
We made the jump from a 22 to a 40 ft 4 years ago and I wanted to improve my skills in berthing in a tight pen and anchoring in stronger winds . Tristan was brilliant, patient and explained everything so clearly! Needless to say I feel more confident in both of those ( especially as I don’t have a bow thruster ) we will definitely book him again , I learnt so much in the 3 hours . Highly recommend him to give you confidence either with a new boat or an existing. Awesome time on the water mate …. Thank you !
Tristan and Dave were excellent in helping get back going with my sailing and rebuilt my confidence after being away from it for 15 years. They were patient and and very knowledgeable which only come from experience. Dave's time with me on board for the day stepped me through the details of anchoring, picking and letting go of a mooring, setting up the sails and numerous conversations about many other aspects of the boat, motorsailing and sailing. A great investment in my pastime!
I had an excellent experience with Tristian, who assisted me with inspecting and running a 43ft Riviera. His knowledge, professionalism, and practical experience were evident throughout the entire process, making sure I felt confident and comfortable handling a vessel of this size. Thanks again, Tristian, for your time, and guidance.
Really sick boat Course , tristan has helped me with anchoring, learning new knots, what do to before starting a boat for it to function properly, how to clean a boat how to maintain a boat and how to use a boat off shore , really good Business and just a sick thing to do 10/10 would recommend
After many years of owning sail boats my new little Jeanneau Merry Fisher had quite a complicated dashboard. Tristian is very good at explaining how everything works which has improved my confidence in the transition from sail power to motor boat. He’s an excellent teacher and I’m happy to recommend him.
Great learning experience with Tristan as my boating instructor. Tristan is incredibly professional, patient and passionate while also really easy to get along with. He has helped me become so much more confident and capable on the water. I really appreciate the dedication and effort he puts into teaching and making lessons enjoyable. I highly recommend Tristan to anybody looking for a knowledgeable and professional boating instructor!
The training was relaxed, easy to follow, and gave me the confidence to handle both simple and more complex manoeuvres on the water. Tristan explained everything clearly, was patient, and made sure I understood each skill before moving on. By the end of each session, I felt confident with docking, reversing, manoeuvring in tight spaces, and safely handling the boat in a range of different situations. From start to finish, the experience was outstanding. Tristan displayed absolute professionalism throughout and took the time to ensure I left with the skills and confidence to operate a boat safely. I couldn't recommend Tristan and the entire Boat Wise team highly enough.
Tristan is an excellent patient teacher, his boating advice really helped us gain confidence for when you really need it.
Tristan is a very experienced skipper who clearly loves what he does. He’s patient, easy to learn from, and happy to go the extra mile to help. I really enjoyed my time on the water with him and learned a lot. Highly recommend if you’re looking to build confidence and improve your boating skills.
Ive had the privilege of spending many days on the water with Tristain over the past year, and I couldn’t recommend him highly enough. Tristain is an exceptional boating instructor with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has a calm, patient teaching style that builds confidence, and he takes the time to explain not just how to do things, but why. Every trip was a valuable learning experience, covering practical boating skills, safety, navigation and seamanship in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. His passion for boating is obvious, and he genuinely wants those on board to develop their skills and confidence. Whether you’re new to boating or looking to build on your experience, Tristain’s professionalism, encouragement and expertise make him an outstanding mentor. Thank you, Tristain, for sharing your knowledge and making every day on the water such an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I would highly recommend your training to anyone wanting to become a safer and more confident boater.
I just completed a four-hour training session with Captain Tristian and already feel confident enough to drive the boat on my own. He was friendly, patient and very practical, taking enough time to explain everything in detail, including all the boat controls. His experience and guidance were excellent. Highly recommended!
Tristian has been a marvellous and very patient boating tutor. It's been very enjoyable working with him. My boating skills and confidence have improved enormously. He has been very helpful in ensuring warranty issues and improvements on my boat are completed. Highly recommend.
What You Will Learn in the Powerboat Handling Course
Control a boat at slow speed in tight spaces
Complete pre-start and safety-equipment checks
Dock, reverse, and berth with confidence
Anchor properly and pick up a swing mooring
Get on and off the plane smoothly and safely
Manage wind and current without losing control
Navigate through busy Sydney Harbour traffic
Apply collision rules in real-world situations
Make calm, confident decisions under pressure
