What boats can I take with the navigation license?

Before talking about which boats I can take with a boating license, it is important to clarify the different titles or boating licenses that currently exist.

In addition to what is or was the famous “titulín” and what that title has now become.

The Navigation License is a basic title to be able to drive boats, whether they are motorboats in which, of course, we include jet skis, as well as sailing boats.

It must be clear that this use is exclusively recreational, that is to say, with the Navigation License you cannot carry out professional work.

In the case of wanting a more professional use, you should inquire about the title of Professional Recreational Boats Skipper(PPER), the Boat Skipper(PER), Yacht Skipper or Yacht Captain.

Is the Navigation License the same as the famous “titulín”?

For many years the famous “titulín” has been known as the old “Autorización Federativa” issued by the sailing or motor federations.

What we used to call “titulín” is what is now the Navigation License. In 2015 appeared the Navigation License to replace this authorization and in addition to the federations could issue the title, also the nautical schools could issue it.

As a result of this change, the powers of the old Navigation License were extended, for example, the driving license was extended to 6 meters in length and the maximum permitted power was eliminated.

Do not confuse the old “titulín” or Navigation License with the title of Patrón de Navegación Básica (PNB).

What boats can I take with a boating license? Licenses and boats

Now yes, first of all let’s talk about what boats I can take with the Navigation License and also with the different Navigation Licenses that currently exist or even which boats can be taken without any license.

We must not forget that to drive any boat you must be over 18 years old.

Without any navigation title

Motor boats up to 5 meters in length and sailing boats up to 6 meters in length may be carried. These boats must have a maximum power of 15CV. It must be taken into account that you cannot go farther than 2 miles from the seaport and that you can only sail during the day.

Navigation License (LN)

You can take motor and sailing boats up to 6 meters in length and category C jet skis. You cannot go further than 2 miles from the port and you can only sail during the day. With this license you must complete 2 hours of theory classes and 4 hours of practical classes. As for the exam, there is no official exam as such and you have to take the title in a nautical scale or in the Sailing Federation.

Navigation Skipper License (PNB)

You can take boats up to 8 meters in length, both motor and sail, and jet skis of any cylinder capacity. With the title of Patrón de Navegación, you can sail up to 5 meters away from the port and navigate both day and night.

Recreational Boats Skipper, the famous (PER)

You can take boats up to 15 meters both motor and sailing. In case you want to take sailing boats, you must do some complementary practices. In addition, if you do 24 hours of practices, including 4 hours of night practices, you can carry sailing and motor boats up to 24 meters in length. With this title, you can not go further than 12 miles and sail within the Canary and Balearic archipelago.

Finally, as for the Yacht Pattern License (PY)

You can carry both motor and sailing boats up to 24 meters in length, the only difference is that to carry sailing boats, you must do some complementary practices. Of course, you can take jet skis of any displacement and you can go up to 150 miles away from the coast and sail both day and night.

Tips before going sailing

Before going out to sail you must take into account a series of guidelines. These guidelines are very important in order to avoid problems in terms of safety, time and expenses involved in sailing. In addition, you must take into account that you must take the necessary time to organize the outing.

Condition of the vessel

Before setting sail, it is very important to check the condition of the boat:

• The weather during the entire outing.
• The equipment you need to go sailing and check that everything is in good condition so that in the case of using it, it will not fail.
• Combustion and the reserves you have
• Check that the oil levels and the cooling system are correct.
• The condition of the batteries and connections.
• That the navigation lights are working properly.
• Carry a flashlight and spare batteries.
• Check the number of life jackets and make sure that all crew members have one. Check the sizes of each lifejacket, if they have the whistles, reflective lights…
• Check the condition of all safety equipment (rafts, flares, etc.) and firefighting equipment.
• It is important to bring drinking water.
• Check the condition of anchors and lines.

What do we have to take on board before sailing?

• It is very important to carry tools
• A first aid kit with everything you need
• Fishing instruments
• Warm clothes and of course waterproof.

Papers in order

Of course we must not forget to carry all the papers and licenses in order, in addition to the necessary permits that prove that you can take the boat. We must not forget that we must always navigate within a permitted area.

Liability insurance

To carry in order the insurance of civil responsibility of recreational boats because if we have some accident, this one will take charge of everything.

Sailing weather and tides

Another aspect that we must take into account is the number of hours we are going to sail and the time we estimate it will last. We must know the type of tides that may occur and know how we are going to deal with them.

Advise departure and duration

It is important that we inform when we will be departing, the duration of the trip and the time we expect to arrive at our destination, so that we can receive any notice.

Number of crew members

Make sure the number of crew members we are going to be and if it corresponds to the maximum number of crew members I can take.

Weight distribution

It is important to distribute the weight well throughout the boat so that it does not affect the navigation and stability of the boat.

Check lights

If the departure will be at night, it is important to check the lights of all navigation.

We must not forget that from the moment we leave with the boat until we arrive at port, the skipper of the boat is responsible for each of the people who sail with him.

The skipper must always adopt an attitude of calm and serenity in all the circumstances that are created while sailing, in order to transmit confidence.

What boats can I take with the navigation license? Depending on the type of license, you can take a specific type of boat.

Whether you have a license or not, we have the perfect water activities for you. Are you in?