Chapman School of Seamanship

★★★★★Sailing Ali-Cat

I just graduated from their 9 week Professional Mariner training program. It was an excellent experience. Every one of the instructors was very knowledgeable in their field. One of the best things about the Chapman course is all of the underway time on boats from 23 foot single outboards, to 52 foot Trawlers. From all of the knowledge taught in the classroom, to the on hands experience driving the boats, this class can't be beat! Whether you're brand new to the maritime arena, or just want to perfect your skills, this class is for you.

★★★★★Glenn Schwitter

My spouse and I recently took 2 days of training (Classroom/On The Water) at Chapmans. We were there to gain confidence and learn how best to operate our boat, a Pursuit 288. Our instructor, Matt Mackenzie, was terrific. To say that we learned a lot is an understatement. Most importantly, we learned in a small, hands on environment, very productive for us.. We were exuberant students and gained a tremendous amount of information via the open Q&A format. Thank you Chapmans and thank you Matt.

★★★★★Lindy Mauney

We had the BEST time learning at the helm! Captain Al was our instructor. Not only was he great (and funny) but so was the class. The course content for Advanced Power Boating was easy to follow and very relevant. I have a much better understanding of navigation, proper radio usage and driving techniques now. I was a little intimidated that I would be the only woman in the class but our class of 12 was actually 50/50. Everyone interested in boating should take this class. It helps us all be safer on the water.

★★★★★Ann Babcock

My husband and I took two 1-week courses at Chapman School: Advanced Powerboating and Coastal Cruising- each were very informative, well-done and enjoyable. In the AP class we had equal time in the classroom and on boats, learning to plot courses, steer and dock single engine and dual engine center console boats. The second week we plotted courses on charts and with Garmins, learned many real-life tips, including NOAA and Coast Guard websites. Instructors were the best! Don’t hesitate, sign up with Chapman!

★★★★★Jay Maldonado

I recently completed the Professional Mariner Training program and was extremely impressed with the quality of the instruction and the overall professionalism of the school. The instructors were knowledgeable, experienced, and did an excellent job explaining complex topics in a practical way that made them easy to understand. The curriculum covered essential subjects such as safety, navigation, Rules of the Road, boat handling, systems, and marlinespike seamanship—skills that directly translate to real-world boating and maritime operations. For me personally, the training was incredibly valuable as I prepare for long-term cruising and eventually living aboard a catamaran and traveling the world. The program provided a strong foundation in seamanship and safety while building confidence on the water. I would strongly encourage parents to introduce their kids to programs like this. The maritime industry offers a demanding but incredibly rewarding career path for young men and women who enjoy challenge, responsibility, and adventure. Schools like this play an important role in preparing the next generation of professional mariners. Not sure how anyone can reach me if they have more questions but trust me this course was absolutely worth it. I'm happy to give more details if needed. A major bonus is being able to use your GI Bill benefits for Veterans out there. This was an extraordinary opportunity I will be talking about for the rest of my life.