In addition to its Public Education Program, America's Boating Club of the Pamlico (ABC-Pamlico) offers further skill building opportunities. Our mission is to teach boating skills that increase confidence on the water. We feel an educated boater is a better boater!
Engine Maintenance covers the operating principles and basic care and maintenance of outboard and inboard engines, including diesels. There is coverage on winter storage and spring servicing that includes a 25-step check list.- Marine Electrical Systems covers installation and/or maintenance of both boat electrical systems (AC and DC) and marine electronics (VHF radio, radar, GPS, etc).
- Cruising & Cruise Planning covers topics of interest for someone planning a cruise – whether for just a weekend or for a year – including preparation and planning, anchoring, security, chartering, and cruising outside the US.
- Weather covers weather forecasting and reading weather patterns on-board our coastal waters.
- Sail covers everything from the basic elements of how a sailboat works to sail trim, rig tuning, and sailboat racing.
- Marine Communications Systems allows you to master the use of your radio in this digital age, radio frequencies, VHF communications, Global Maritime Distress, Safety System (GMDSS) and FCC rules and radio licenses.
- Radar for Boaters covers the different types of radar equipment, their capabilities and limitations, as well as their features and how they apply to students needs.
- Electronic Navigation covers the use of your on board electronics, tablet, PC and smartphone apps that provide the electronic navigation function at the helm and an overview of the Automatic Identification System (AIS).
America's Boating Club® continues to develop and revise meaningful courses and, as they are released, ABC-Pamlico will fit them into our Educational Program. To learn more click on Elective Courses.
Many of our members have gone beyond a student developing boating skills to qualified instructors. It’s very rewarding!
Instructor Development course teaches effective communication skills for instructors, covering various methods of presenting information to others, effective use of audiovisual aids (including PowerPoint), etc.
ABC-Pamlico has developed an Instructor Apprentice Program which will assist in bringing additional members into the team of experienced instructors. If you are interested, please email
Be sure to review our Calendar for the dates and locations of the 2024 planned courses.
Pictured below are our Education Officer, Bob Vecchi and Assistant Education Officer, Cathy Karlovich.
If you don't see a course that you are interested in, send in your suggestions by emailing
