Learn to drive, dock, navigate, and handle a boat with confidence — in a calm, supportive, women-led environment on Charleston’s waterways.
Based in Folly Beach, SC.
Charleston is surrounded by water — creeks, rivers, and open coastlines that invite exploration. Yet many women spend years on boats without ever feeling confident at the helm.
We boating classes that prioritize confidence, safety, and real-world skills. Our approach removes pressure, intimidation, and judgement — replacing them with hands-on learning, encouragement, and practical experience.
Whether you’re brand new to boating or ready to sharpen your skills, this is a space where questions are welcome, mistakes are part of the process, and confidence grows naturally.
Women on Boats follows a structured learning pathway so skills build naturally and confidence grows with each step.
Location
Not all classes are held at Sunset Cay Marina! Trip planning is often hosted by a community partner such as a boat dealer, coffee shop, or brewery. (Especially for off-season classes when it’s dark early).
– The class location will be listed on our schedule when booking and on advertising material.
– We will send out a reminder email the day prior to class with the location address.
More Info
- Classes are typically Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoon. If you are interesting in joining but need another day, please let us know a better time.
- Please direct questions to [email protected]
- Payment is required up front
- Private classes available starting at $400 for up to 2 people, 3 hrs
- Use your boat or ours! Multiple departure locations available.
Our Instructors
Capt. Weatherly grew up on James Island and has been driving boats since she was old enough to see over the steering wheel. She got a SCDNR boat license at the age of 12, took off into the wild on a 13′ Boston Whaler (before the days of cell phones, gasp!), and hasn’t turned back since. She has worked into the ecotour industry since 2009 and has spent countless hours in the estuaries of Charleston and surrounding areas. During this time she’s operated everything from that whaler to kayaks to a 42′ catamaran. She has made several blue water crossings via sailboat to the Bahamas and US Virgin Islands and gets as sea sick as the next person! She currently holds a USCG 50 ton Masters license with a sailing endorsement.
Hi, I’m Olivia! I’ve been a licensed, working captain for 7 years, with multiple years of first mate experience prior to that. I’ve captained a variety of vessels, including skiffs, pontoons, center consoles, and catamarans from 18 to 49 feet. Through the years, I’ve had many women express to me the frustrations they’ve faced when learning to operate a boat, so I’d like to use my education background to help women enjoy the experience of becoming confident behind the helm. I’m particularly excited to teach trailering and docking because I know how daunting they can be, but anyone can do it with practice and it feels so rewarding when you put the time in and you finally nail it!
