Captains Lessons

PowerPlay Yacht Charters is now offering individualized boating lessons to new and experienced mariners who want to improve their knowledge, skills and confidence operating their vessel. Boat lessons are conducted on your vessel and include safety, seamanship, vessel systems, rules of the water, emergency VHF calls, man-overboard procedures, vessel maneuvering, and of course docking.

Time is spent giving the client a clear understanding of what the boat is doing relative to control inputs and external forces (wind, current, spring lines) and then perform a series of drills (rodeo drills, clock drills, how slow can you go, etc.) to build competencies, muscle memory on the controls, and ultimately confidence.

We progress to more difficult situations (i.e. winds blowing you off a dock) and provide sound strategies on how to deal with them. We demonstrate ways to use a mid-cleat spring line to control the bow in tight quarters for safe stress-free docking.

Have a First Mate who doesn’t know much about boating? We also instruct them so you form an effective Captain-First Mate team! We focus on common language, knowhow, and agreed upon expectations regarding roles and responsibilities — particularly around docking activities.

Don’t have a boat but want to learn about boating? No problem? Captain Jim can teach you the basics on the PenaltyBox: our 16-foot Zodiac Deluxe rigid inflatable boat (RIB). Call 216-338-7618 to inquire.

Hire The Captain

Want to enjoy a day or evening out on your boat with friends and a few cocktails and/or beers? Hire Captain Jim to run your boat so you can have peace of mind knowing that your family and friends are safe, and you can cut loose enjoying yourself with no DUI possibilities on the water!

Want to take a longer cruise, travel into unfamiliar waters, or pick your vessel from storage and move it to your marina? Hire Captain Jim to travel with you for safety and confidence on the water.

Yacht Transport and Delivery

Just bought a beautiful new or pre-owned boat and need it delivered to your marina? We can help! We complete vessel deliveries for new and existing clients. Captain Jim is a former delivery captain for MarineMax and has delivered many vessels, including yacht delivery from the East Coast to Port Clinton, Ohio, via the Erie and Oswego canal systems. Feel free to reach out for a quotation.

Yacht and Boat Consulting

Desire to get into boating but don’t know what kind, type or brand of boat to buy? Want a sound independent opinion other than high-pressure brokers or salesmen? Buying a boat is a HUGE decision with significant financial investment. Making the best informed decisions upfront will save years of regret!

Captain Jim can provide insights and guidance from 20+ years of experience with all types of recreational boats and yachts. His former work with MarineMax is particularly helpful. He can help you identify useful features and thoughtful designs that will make boating more enjoyable for you and your family, and understand the array of electronics and what’s important for use on your vessel.

Captain Jim will offer a professional perspective on engines, drives and controls: gasoline vs. diesel, inboards vs. outboards, I/O’s, bow thrusters, electronic controls, and joysticks. Have a specific boat in mind but don’t want to commit to hiring a full-fledged surveyor yet? Captain Jim provides great guidance you and your pocketbook will appreciate.

For more information on his Captain’s Services, reach out to Captain Jim Dempsey at 216-338-7618 or contact@powerplayyachtcharters.com.