Hamptons Boating Lessons & Instruction
Confidence on the Water Starts With the Right Captain
New York now requires anyone operating a motorized vessel, regardless of age, to carry a state-approved boating safety certificate under Brianna's Law. That's the legal piece. Knowing how to actually run a boat is a separate skill, and that's where we come in.
Charters in The Hamptons offers private boating lessons taught by USCG-licensed captains, on the same water you'll be running yourself. We teach both motorboat and sailing skills, and we work with everyone from total beginners to boat owners who want to sharpen specific skills like docking or night navigation. Call (631) 251-1777 to set up a lesson.
Boating Lessons We Offer in The Hamptons
We tailor every lesson to the student. Some people want one full day before a vacation. Others want a series of shorter sessions to build up over a season. The structure below is a starting point. We'll build the right plan when you call.
Beginner Boating Lessons
Never been on a boat? Start here. We cover the basics of calm water inside Peconic Bay: how to start the engine, steer, read the wind, handle wakes, and dock at a slow speed. By the end of a beginner session, most students can run a small boat with a captain on board for backup.
Motorboat Instruction
For students who want to operate powerboats, from a center console to a small cruiser, we focus on throttle control, trim, anchoring, fuel management, and navigation. Most rental boats and family runabouts on the East End are powerboats, so this is the most common request.
Sailing Lessons
We also teach sailing. Points of sail, tacking, jibing, reading the wind, basic rigging, and how to handle a sailboat in shifting conditions. If you've been wanting to learn to sail in the Hamptons, this is the place. Calm protected water in the bay, and instructors who've sailed these waters for years.
Intermediate Skills: Docking, Anchoring, Navigation
You own a boat but you still get nervous backing into a slip with people watching. That's the most common reason people call us. We run drills until docking is automatic, then move on to anchoring, navigation, and reading charts.
Private 1-on-1 Lessons With USCG Captains
Every lesson can be run as a private 1-on-1 or in a small group. Private is the fastest way to learn. The captain's attention is on you and your boat the whole time. Group lessons cost less per person and work well for couples or friends learning together.
New York State Boating Safety Certificate: What You Need to Know
This is the question we get most often, so let's address it head-on.
Brianna's Law now requires all operators of motorized vessels in New York to carry a state-approved boating safety certificate, regardless of age. The law is named after an 11-year-old girl from Long Island who was killed in a boating accident in 2005.
How do you get the certificate? You complete a New York State-approved boating safety course. The classroom version is 8 hours. There's also an online option through approved providers like the BoatUS Foundation. You can find the full list on the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation boating education page.
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Do our lessons replace the certificate? No, and this is important. Our hands-on lessons teach you how to actually operate a boat. The state certificate teaches you the legal rules and earns you the credential. You need both. Think of the certificate like a written driver's test, and our lessons like driving with an instructor before you take the road test.
Who's exempt? Non-motorized vessels like sailboats without engines, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are not currently covered. The certificate is for anyone running a motor on New York waters.​
Why Learn With Charters in The Hamptons
A few things make us different from other Hamptons boating instructors.
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Shelter Island position. We're centrally located between the Twin Forks of Long Island, so we can teach you on either the North Fork or South Fork side of the bay.
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Captains, not weekend warriors. All captains hold USCG (US Coast Guard) licenses. They run paying charters every week. You'll be learning from someone who handles these waters in every condition.
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Real fleet to learn on. Our fleet of 26+ vessels, including 57' and 62' Pershing yachts, means we can match the lesson boat to your skill level and to what you actually plan to run.
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Family operation. We're cousins who grew up in the marina business on Shelter Island. We've watched a lot of first-time boaters become confident captains. The patience to teach is in the family.
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Custom pickup. Lessons can start at Greenport, Sag Harbor, or our dock on Shelter Island.
If you'd rather be chartered than do the driving yourself, see our USCG-captained charters or our Hamptons boat charter rentals. For priority access to instructors and boats all season, ask about our Hamptons yacht club membership.
Ready to Get on the Water?
Call (631) 251-1777 or email captain@chartersinthehamptons.com. We're located at 63 Menantic Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964. Pickup is available at Greenport and Sag Harbor. We serve the North Fork, Shelter Island, Greenport, Sag Harbor, and the East End of Long Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a boating license in New York State? You need a boating safety certificate, not a license. Under Brianna's Law, New York requires all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, to carry a state-approved boating safety certificate. Non-motorized boats like sailboats without engines, kayaks, and paddleboards are not currently covered.
How long does it take to get a boating license in NY? The state-approved course is 8 hours of classroom training plus a proctored exam. Online versions can move faster, depending on the provider. Most people finish the certification in one weekend. Our hands-on lessons are separate and can be scheduled in shorter blocks or full-day sessions.
How much do boating lessons cost in the Hamptons? Pricing depends on the lesson length, whether it's private or group, and whether you use our boat or yours. Call (631) 251-1777 and we'll give you a quote based on the lesson plan that fits you.
Can adults learn to sail in the Hamptons? Yes. We teach sailing to adults of all ages and skill levels. Peconic Bay is one of the best places on Long Island to learn. It's protected, the wind is predictable, and the ride back to the dock is short if conditions change. Most adult students are comfortable with the basics inside two or three lessons.
What's the difference between a NY boating safety certificate and lessons? The certificate is a legal credential issued by New York State Parks. It's required by law to operate a motorboat. Lessons are hands-on training in how to actually run a boat: docking, anchoring, navigation, handling weather. You need both. The certificate doesn't teach you how to dock, and our lessons don't issue the legal credential.
Do you offer private boating lessons? Yes. Most of our lessons are private 1-on-1 with a USCG-licensed captain. We also offer small group lessons for couples or friends learning together. Private lessons cost more per session but you learn faster.
Do you offer lessons with pickup at Greenport? Yes. We can start a lesson at Greenport on the North Fork or at Sag Harbor on the South Fork, in addition to our home dock on Shelter Island. This is a common request from students who don't want to drive out to a marina they don't know.
