RYA Training Centre logo with red check mark.

RYA Advanced Powerboat

2 day course including a night exercise £395

book now

The aim of this course is to teach handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation up to the standards required to drive a planing powerboat safely by day and night in tidal coastal waters with which the candidate may be familiar. 

The course may be conducted on a planing or displacement powerboat.

The ICC can be added to this qualification for a fee paid to the RYA - read more here.

RYA Advanced powerboat night training exercise

Course syllabus covers:

Boat preparation & handling

Passage making & responsibility as a skipper

Pilotage

Meteorology

Rules of the road

Use of engines

Emergency situations

Night cruising

  • Boat Preparation

    Can:

    • Prepare the powerboat

    • Carry out fuel and engine checks

    • Stow and secure gear


    Boat Handling

    Knowledge of: 

    • Differences for a twin-engine vessel

    Understands:

    • The importance of boat control in waves and adequate seating to minimise the possibility of injury

    • Characteristics of various hull forms and propeller configurations

    • Action to be taken in rough weather

    Can:

    • Demonstrate a practical understanding and correct use of power trim and trim tabs

    • Demonstrate an awareness of the effects of wind and tide when manoeuvring, including

      • Steering to transits and in buoyed channels

      • Turning in a confined space

      • Berthing in various conditions of wind and tide

      • Picking up and leaving a mooring buoy 

      • Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length kill cord at all times 

    • Pick up a man overboard in differing conditions


    Passage Making and Responsibility as Skipper

    Understands: 

    •  The importance of pre-trip planning

    • Planning and making coastal passages, taking into account the relevant navigational hazards, the type of boat and the strengths of the crew

    • Chart plotters and radar, their advantages and limitations

    Can:

    • Organise the navigation, safety and welfare of the crew during a powerboat passage

    • Navigate at higher speed using a range of techniques

    • Use electronic navigational equipment for planning and undertaking  a passage, including the use of waypoints, routes and XTE, SOG, BTW, DTW*


    Pilotage

    Can: 

    • Cary out pilotage plans pilotage for entry into or departure from harbour

    • Use leading and clearing lines, transits back bearings and soundings as aids to pilotage

    • Navigate using soundings


    Section B 

    Meteorology 

    Understands: 

    • Terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft

    Sources of forecast information and interpretation of forecasts including synoptic charts 

    • The significance of meteorological trends

    Can:

    • Interpret a synoptic chart

    • Use and interpret forecasts to make decisions about passages


    Rules of the road:

    Can:

    • Apply the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea


    Use of Engines

    Knowledge of:

    • How to change a propeller

    • Propeller diameter and pitch

    • Propeller ventilation and cavitation

    Understands:

    • Checks to be made before starting, during running, and after stopping for diesel and petrol engines

    • Periodic checks on engines and electrical system including spark plugs, water filters and pump impellers

    • Transmission belts

    • Spares to be carried


    Emergency Situations:

    Understands:

    • Correct action to take in emergency situations

    • Fire prevention and fighting

    • Hull damage/watertight integrity

    • What to do in a medical emergency

    • Towing and being towed

    • Helicopter rescue procedures

    • Issue distress by all available means

    • Search patterns

    • The danger of cold shock and immersion hypothermia


    Night Cruising

    Can:

    • Take charge of a powerboat at night, including leaving and entering harbour

    • Demonstrate ability at keeping a proper look-out and identifying lit and unlit positions by night


  • Candidates should be competent to the standard of the Intermediate Powerboat Certificate with 

    Thorough knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of the Coastal Skipper/RYA Yachtmaster Shorebased certificate. 

    It is strongly recommended that candidates hold a first aid certificate and a VHF operator's ceritifcate.

    Minimum age: 17

      • 2 days & 1 evening  of instruction on Maverick, our Humber Ocean Pro 6.8,

      • Fuel, 

      • Loan of lifejacket, 

      • Advanced Powerboat Handbook & Cost of Certificate 

      • Use of wet weather gear (if required)

      • Use of Head Torch

  • Lifejackets and wet weather gear (excluding shoes/boots) are provided  for all of our practical courses. However you are more than welcome to bring your own. Please bring clothing relevant to the time of year – this should include some or all of the following: waterproof clothing, waterproof  boots/shoes, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sun cream. We don’t expect your clothes to get wet but it's always worth bringing a spare change of clothes just in case. All powerboat courses are non-residential.

    Remember to bring all certificates needed if completing a CoC. If you are unsure what to bring, please contact us.

  • Read about ‘Maverick’, our Humber Ocean 6.8 RIB

  • The course starts at 9am unless otherwise specified. Part of the Advanced Powerboat course will require a night navigation exercise which will normally be conducted on night one. The duration of the night passage is normally between 2.5 and 3 hours.

  • The basic Powerboat 2 course will start and finish at Rhu Marina, taking in the sights and sounds of the River Clyde, the Gareloch and Loch Long, visiting places such as the Gantocks, Holy Loch Marina, and James Watt Dock. The Intermediate and Advanced powerboat courses go further afield to more challenging waters such as the Kyles of Bute and the upper River Clyde to practise vital skills such as pilotage, and electronic navigation. We chose Rhu Marina as our base because of its location and easy access to the Clyde and because of the endless possibilities for teaching in all weather conditions.

  • YES. powerboating is inherently safe when practised correctly - which You & Sea RYA Training Courses always are. Be assured you will be supervised and supported by a competent and professional Skipper or instructor who is RYA qualified. We recognise that some customers, particularly those new to boating, may be apprehensive about going to sea in a small vessel like this. So one of our main aims is to allay those fears and instil confidence - all our courses include a thorough introductory explanation and safety briefing - but we find that the best way to alleviate concerns is to actually go out on the water, get on with the course, and start to enjoy yourself. Our instructors pay close attention to the weather forecasts and will never go out in conditions that are unsafe. Our powerboat is subject to very stringent safety & equipment requirements with regular inspections administered by both the RYA and MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency). This also applies to our safety management systems and standard operating procedures - the safety and comfort of our customers is paramount.

  • There is plenty of free parking available outside our office. Please note, this area is a working yard and we would kindly ask you to be considerate about where you park your vehicle. If you are unsure where to park, please ask us when you arrive.

  • Light refreshments are included (tea/coffee/biscuits). You are welcome to bring your own packed lunch. There are places nearby where you can buy sandwiches etc

  • If you anticipate that you are going to be late for a course then phone 01436 640303 or 07732 518858 at the earliest opportunity to let the instructor know.

EMPLOYERS - Looking to book a course for an employee? Don’t use the booking links below - please click here, and submit the completed form.

We will book in your employee(s) and send you an invoice direct