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Come with us to the lake!
Welcome to the fresh boating school on Lake Zurich and Obersee!
With a modern heated boat and innovative training methods, we will guide you efficiently through the process of obtaining your Cat. A motorboat license and SBF See coastal license right here in the city of Zurich, all year round.
We look forward to meeting you! Take a look around and get in touch with us if you have any questions: 079 606 8000 or funk@ankerfels.ch
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Getting started! Where to begin?
Do you dream of sailing your own boat? You've come to the right place!
For motorboats or sailing boats (with more than 8 hp), you need a Cat. A motorboat license. You can start your practical training right away.
To register for the practical exam, you must first pass the theory exam. Since there is often a waiting period of several weeks for an exam date and you should practice regularly before the practical exam, it is advisable to take the theory exam early on. This is purely a matter of diligence and is not difficult per se.
Courses for the theory exam are often unnecessary and expensive.
Instead, we recommend two tried-and-tested tools:
The Bootsprüfung24.ch app (available for smartphones, tablets, and the web) offers excellently prepared theory materials. You can also work through all the official practice exams and practice specific topics.
We recommend the Pro version, as it allows you to download all learning materials without any time restrictions.
With our voucher, you pay only CHF 25 for it.
Alternatively, you can purchase the theory materials and access to the learning platform from Boatdriver. (A voucher worth CHF 25,- can be redeemed during your trial lesson.)
Then it's time to choose a suitable boating school:
Choose a VSMS-affiliated school. The VSMS is the only seal of approval for boating schools in Switzerland and stands for professionally trained instructors and high training standards.
Make sure you choose a nice new boat without unnecessary aids (e.g., keel) that you won't have after the exam. You want to learn boating properly from scratch.
As a student, you will usually spend over 20 hours in a cabin with an instructor. So look for an instructor with plenty of experience, patience, and an open ear. Instructors with further training (e.g., ocean sailing) and association certification often offer additional value. Book a trial lesson and take a good look at the instructor and the boat.
The question of price:
Good training has its value. Very cheap offers usually cut corners on materials, service, or training. The hourly rate alone doesn't tell you much, and flat rates and discounts rarely make sense. The decisive factor is whether the school also supports you with learning materials between driving lessons.
This is where we deliberately differ from many other schools:
At Ankerfels Academy, we go above and beyond the minimum. With checklists, video tutorials, and a shared training overview, we guide you through the training in a structured manner and help you make the most of your attendance time.
Our experience (Class A license):
Ø 24.6 driving lessons (not lessons), Ø CHF 3'247,-
Fastest completion: 12.7 hours, CHF 1'900,-
85.7% success rate on first attempts (as of 11/25/25)
We also recommend combining the coastal license with the A license. This will ensure you are fully prepared and can operate boats both in Switzerland and internationally. By combining both training courses, you will also save on motorboat lessons and learn more efficiently.
So let's get started! Learn the theory and book a trial lesson at 079 606 8000 or funk@ankerfels.ch.
We look forward to meeting you!
Give the gift of a boating adventure now!
Buche heute deine Probestunde
1 hr
150 Swiss francs
1 hr
150 Swiss francs
Would you like a modern motorboat?
Yamarin Cross 60 Cabin
When it comes to boat training, it is very important that the training takes place on a comfortable, modern boat that is equipped for training purposes. We have found the ideal boat for this in the Yamarin Cross 60 Cabin. We have equipped this heated boat with large windows and passageways with the most powerful engine, fitted it with modern control systems, and filled it with gadgets that will improve your training and make your exam easier.
Here you will find all the details about the boat. Come and take a look, preferably during a test drive.
For more information, call 079 606 8000 or email funk@ankerfels.ch.
Beni Werenfels
From pilot to captain
Driving instructor & Co. Managing director
As a former flight instructor and enthusiastic adult educator, I live my passion in the elements of water and air.
Sailing, motorboating, and diving are simply part of my life—and I love to pass on this enthusiasm to others. I teach in German, Spanish, and English—clearly, comprehensively, and practically.
I am not a boat builder who will overwhelm you with technical details. My focus is on practical application, simple and time-efficient training, and the sustainable teaching of exam-relevant content.
As a member of the VSMS, I have completed vocational training as a boat instructor with a federal certificate. At sea, I am certified with a deep-sea sailing license and the SBF See.
Our team
Our instructors impress with their friendliness and nautical expertise!
Would you like to join us on the lake or the sea? Call us at 079 606 8000.
Co-Managing Director & Theory Teacher
Maren Werenfels
My passion for water began early: I got my first sailing license at the age of 7. Since then, I have loved life on the water.
Today, I hold Cat. A and D licenses, the SBF See coastal license, and am preparing for my offshore license.
Thanks to my experience in the international hotel industry and consulting, I am well prepared for self-employment. As an organizational talent, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and efficiently preparing our students for their exams.
Driving instructor
Stefan Nagy
For over 20 years, I have been living my passion for water, air, and nature. This enthusiasm has made me an experienced captain who enjoys sailing every day. Accompanying people on their way to obtaining their own boat license is something I really enjoy and find fulfilling.
My qualifications:
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Motorboat license Cat. A
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Offshore license SYA (VSMS)
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Radio license SRC/LRC
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Coastal license SBF See
Driving instructor
Nadja Kolb
I caught the boating bug early on in my family—water has been part of my life from the very beginning. Today, I hold Cat. A and D licenses, the coastal license (SBF See), and am currently collecting the last nautical miles for my offshore license.
I spend as much time as possible outdoors in nature, discovering new places with my VW bus and recharging my batteries on the water. It is precisely this enthusiasm, confidence, and serenity that I want to pass on to our students at Ankerfels—in a practical, personal way and with a joy of learning.
Ground School Video Learning
Driving a motorboat well means having practiced complex movements in the boat and being able to recall them correctly when needed.
We have created a checklist and brought these sequences to life in specially created videos. This first step in the learning process will help you memorize the sequences much better and try them out on the boat right away. It also allows you to prepare for your next lesson when the meter is not running. Enjoy the videos!
How we teach?
In three cantons, all around Lake Zurich and Lake Obersee
Our boat is moored at Hensa Lago Marina in Altendorf, two minutes from Altendorf train station (37 minutes from Zurich main station). This is a great training area with lots of possibilities.
We teach in Schwyz and St. Gallen, some times in Zurich, and on request wherever suits you best. Of course, there is an exam area for each exam location where we want to train you so that you have already seen the harbor a few times where you will be taking your exam. I will be happy to explain your best options during your trial lesson.
Our training is clearly structured – similar to a flight school: you know in advance what to expect in the next lesson and can prepare yourself accordingly. We provide our own video tutorials for the maneuvers, and you can learn knots at home with our knot videos. In addition, checklists help you keep track of the most important points – for calm, precise, and safe maneuvering.
The experience doesn't end when you complete your training:
you can continue to sail with us to maintain your routine and safety, or rent the boat yourself and show off what you've learned on a familiar vessel.
Training in pairs is more efficient because we spend less time demonstrating and you can learn from your partner. In the end, the training is cheaper for you and you spend more time on the boat. The boat thus becomes a familiar vessel, making it easier for you to pass the exam.
The boat must be handled with care and sensitivity; your background, skin color, or sexual orientation are irrelevant to the boat. As instructors at Ankerfels Academy, we are open-minded, explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly, and look forward to hearing your exciting story when we get to know you!
Most importantly, we teach in the here and now, so come by this week, book a trial lesson, get to know us and the boat, and find out if you want to be a captain too. You can reach me now at 079 606 8000 or funk@ankerfels.ch.
Write to us and we will get back to you!
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