Motorboat courses

Basic motorboat training - Obtaining a recreational boating license for inland or coastal waters for AM

Driving a motorboat isn't difficult. However, boats rarely stop on their own, as elements like wind, their own inertia, and currents are constantly acting upon them. Simply slamming on the brakes and stopping isn't an option. On the open sea, drift is irrelevant, but in a harbor, the skipper must bring the vessel to a halt at the dock—the same principle as when a space capsule docks with the ISS, just in a different medium. According to Newton's law, force equals mass times acceleration, which can also be expressed as mass times velocity. So, if a boat hits a dock at just 3 km/h, but has a mass of 2 tons, the forces acting at the contact point are considerable! Properly repairing a crack in a fiberglass boat can quickly cost thousands of euros. Therefore, everyone should learn how to drive a motorboat correctly; it's not a bumper car at a fair. This also applies to motorboats that don't require a license and can be operated anywhere in Germany up to a power output of 15 hp (11.03 kW) (except on the Rhine, where the limit is 5 hp). Even a propeller in the water can cause serious injury to swimmers, both those who choose to swim and those who don't!

Inland Waterways Skipper's License (SBF) Practical Course under Motor

For motorboats (including sailboats) with an engine power exceeding 15 hp (11.03 kW), an official recreational boating license is required. This license can be obtained for either inland waterways or coastal waters (sea); these areas are not interchangeable. Therefore, a recreational boating license for coastal waters (SBF See) is not valid in Berlin. The recreational boating license for inland waterways is an official license required to operate recreational boats with an engine power exceeding 11.03 kW (15 hp) on federal inland waterways, with the exception of the Rhine. It applies to recreational craft less than 20 meters in length. On the Rhine, a recreational boating license for inland waterways is required if the motorized recreational boat has an engine power exceeding 3.68 kW (5 hp). Motorboat courses provide comprehensive preparation for the official examination for the SBF Binnen (inland waterways license). The goal is to be able to safely control a motorboat under normal weather conditions. The aspiring skipper is prepared for potential emergency situations. The fixed course price includes unlimited practical driving lessons in small groups of two, as everyone learns at their own pace. The exam isn't difficult, but it requires a certain level of experience, which is rarely acquired in the few minutes at the helm offered by some driving schools. Important maneuvers are practiced, such as maintaining a course, stopping correctly, turning in tight spaces, docking and undocking, and the man overboard drill. The knots required for the SBF (German Sport Boat License) exam are also taught practically on the boat.

Sport Boat License (SBF) Practical Course Sea

The recreational boating license valid for maritime waterways is an official license required to operate recreational craft with an engine exceeding 15 hp (11.03 kW) on maritime waterways (North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts). It is valid without length restrictions.


In the motorboat course, everyone is thoroughly prepared for the official exam for the SBF See (German Sport Boat License for Coastal Waters). The goal is to be able to safely control a motorboat under normal weather conditions. The aspiring skipper is prepared for potential hazards. The fixed course price includes unlimited practical driving lessons in small groups of two, as everyone learns at their own pace. The exam isn't difficult, but it requires a certain level of experience, which is rarely acquired in the few minutes at the helm offered by some driving schools. Important maneuvers are practiced, such as maintaining a compass course, taking a cross bearing, stopping on course, turning in tight spaces, docking and undocking, and the man overboard maneuver. The knots required for the SBF exam are also taught practically on the boat.

SBF Motorbootpraxis Combi Course - Binnen See

The Inland Waterways Certificate (SBF Binnen) and the Coastal Waters Certificate (SBF See) can also be obtained together in a combined course. In practice, this usually presents few problems. The exam is simply the Coastal Waters Certificate, which is valid for the practical portion of the Inland Waterways Certificate. The Coastal Waters Certificate is somewhat more difficult and time-consuming, as it requires navigating by compass. Navigating by landmarks is simpler for the Inland Waterways Certificate.

But anyone wanting to complete both courses together needs to pay close attention to the theory! There are significant differences in the theoretical content; the learning effort for the multiple-choice questions is approximately 66% greater. Furthermore, a chart work assignment consisting of nine sub-questions must be completed for the coastal license, which is not required for the inland license alone! Therefore, the combined course is only recommended for people with plenty of time and a keen interest in learning the theory, or those with prior experience. Anyone short on time and slower at learning theory should ideally complete the inland license first and then the coastal license later. Alternatively, those who primarily sail on the coast should get the coastal license first and the inland license later.

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Practical course SBF Inland Motor: €250

Practical course for the SBF See (German Sport Boat License for Coastal Waters) under motor: €280

Practical course SBF Kombi Motor: €350

10% discount on the final price for pupils/students/trainees (proof of valid ID required).

Combination with other courses: package prices here

  • The fixed prices include all necessary practical sessions on the motorboat until you are ready for the exam. Most drivers need 4-6 sessions (each session lasts 1-1.5 hours).
  • Retakes after a failed exam are included.
  • Also included is rope for practicing knots and the test drive.
  • Theory book and charts navigation equipment (sea) included
  • No hidden costs, no deadline.


The examination fee of the official examination board is not included, nor is an optional theory course for practical courses.

Call us:

0174 8234 992

E-mail:

info@bootfahrenlernen-berlin.de

Other services offered by the Stickler boat driving school