AB101 Powerboating Refresher at Naos Yachts in Marina del Rey

At the edge of Los Angeles Harbor sits Marina del Rey, California, where Naos Yachts runs a focused on-the-water clinic that gets new skippers confident at the helm. Beginning Powerboating - AB101 Refresher is a four-hour, on-the-water session that compresses core handling, docking and safety drills—skills usually taught across a full 12-hour curriculum—into an intensive refresher for certificated boaters. Classes launch from Naos Yachts at 13555 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292, USA, using their modern fleet of Beneteau powerboats. Instruction is delivered by US Coast Guard–licensed, ASA/RPBA‑certified instructors; classes are capped at three students to maximize hands-on time with individualized coaching. Expect close-quarters manoeuvers inside the marina’s basins, short open-water transits past the breakwater, and repeated practice of slow-speed control, pivot turns, and a variety of docking approaches. What makes this offering stand out is the controlled learning environment. Marina del Rey is one of North America’s largest small-boat harbors, with finger piers, wide basins and predictable currents that allow instructors to isolate skill drills without the unpredictability of open ocean swell. The curriculum focuses on boat handling fundamentals—throttle and rudder coordination, prop walk correction, engine/power management, and rules of the road—plus safety checks and emergency planning. Beyond technique, this refresher is practical. Naos Yachts includes all materials and certifications in the fee, and students who join the Naos Sailing Club receive a 10% course discount and other member benefits. Training aboard Beneteau powerboats introduces modern helm layouts and systems that most rental boats use, so skills transfer directly to weekend charters and family outings. Visitors will also notice local marine life—diving cormorants, harbor seals near the breakwater and seasonal pelicans—plus beds of kelp fringed along the channel entrance. Skills learned here translate to safer departures for longer coastal trips or the confidence to take on crowded harbors elsewhere. Who this is for: owners, renters, or certificate-holders who want a condensed, high-impact tune-up before a summer cruise or holiday weekend. Class size and instructor pedigree make this both safe and efficient for people who prefer intensive practice over classroom time. Book with the meeting point listed as Naos Yachts, Marina del Rey. Certification-focused, gear-light, and decidedly hands-on, the AB101 Refresher is a practical step from confidence to competence at the helm. Expect hands-on practice in engine shutdown procedures, man-overboard drills, close-quarter turns and stern-first docking; instructors run realistic scenarios and timed drills to simulate real tasks under pressure. The course suits people prepping for family trips, charter checkouts, or renewing familiarity after long layups. Reservations are required, and the small group size fills quickly during summer weekends—book early if you want a weekend or holiday slot. Arrive fifteen minutes early for a pre-brief and gear check. Please