I've been riding dirt bikes since I was 9 years old, at 61 I ride one of the most technologically advanced motorcycles on the planet BMWK1600gtl, I've been pulling toy hauler travel trailers since i was 18, I own a 800 side by side and two 500cc quads lawn tractors, chain saws you name it I have operated it. I knew boating was a whole different ball game I've been a guest on my cousins big boat many times and felt confident I could make my way with my equipment experience without going through the bureaucratic nonsense. I have grandsons now and I need to set a good example, I have twelve pages of notes, any outdoor activity is dangerous but a watercraft is the nuclear equivalent, when things go bad they can go really bad and you cant walk away even if you are able. I am so glad I made the time and took the time to do this on line course its excellent, informative, user friendly and most of all makes you aware of all the Navigational signs, beacons and buoys that our government deploys to keep us all safe, the Lateral and Cardinal systems are an engineering marvel.