Course and qualification

RYA Powerboat Advanced Course

RYA schemes:Powerboat RYA

Age:Minimum age17 and over

Level:Advanced

Setting:Afloat

Quick answers

What to know about RYA Powerboat Advanced Course

Which schemes include it?: Powerboat, RYA.
How is it taught?: Afloat.
Who is it for?: Minimum age: 17
Where can I take it?: 92 published training providers are currently linked below.

About this course

Aims to teach boat 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, in more demanding conditions. Given the nature of these passages Advanced Powerboat courses should be delivered on powerboats of a minimum of 6 metres and an engine size sufficient to enable coastal passages at planing speed.

Course fundamentals

Minimum age	Minimum age: 17
Duration	2 days including at least 1 night navigation exercise
Course content	Preparation for sea; Boat handling; Passage making and responsibility as skipper; Pilotage; Meteorology; Rules of the road; Use of engines; Emergency situations; Night cruising
Certificate or qualification	The appropriate RYA course completion certificate is awarded following successful completion of the course and its prescribed assessment.
Award type	Course completion certificate
Separate assessment	Not required

Prerequisites

Knowledge or skills to a stated level

Candidates should be competent to the level of the Intermediate Powerboat Certificate with a knowledge of the navigation and chartwork to the level of Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased certificate. It is strongly recommended that candidates hold a first aid certificate and a VHF operators certificate.

Check the official RYA prerequisite information (opens in a new tab)

Recommended course progression

Starting from the beginning

We have not assessed your existing qualifications, knowledge or experience yet, so every step is shown as still to do.

View your course roadmap4 steps · Starts from the beginning

Follow these courses in order to build the course knowledge or certificates described above.

Once you tell us what you already know or hold, we can recognise equivalent knowledge or skills and adjust this route.

Step 1 · To do
Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
RYA schemes:Motor Cruising Shorebased Powerboat RYA Sail Cruising
Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course is an advanced shore-based program for experienced sailors. Topics include complex navigation, advanced meteorology, and passage planning in tidal waters. Participants also learn…
Level:IntermediateAdvanced
Format:ClassroomOnline
Setting:Shorebased
View course
Step 2 · To do
RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
RYA schemes:Motor Cruising Shorebased Powerboat RYA Sail Cruising
RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
RYA Day Skipper Theory is a theory-based course aimed at prospective yacht skippers and inexperienced crew looking to boost their knowledge and skillset. The course itself offers a comprehensive introduction…
No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Format:ClassroomOnline
Setting:Shorebased
View course
Step 3 · To do
RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling
RYA schemes:Powerboat RYA
RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling
Provides the skills and background knowledge needed by the competent powerboat driver and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It aims to teach boat handling and seamanship…
Minimum age12 and over
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 4 · To do
RYA Powerboat Intermediate Course
RYA schemes:Powerboat RYA
RYA Powerboat Intermediate Course
Covers the practical use of pilotage and passage planning by day on coastal waters using both traditional and electronic navigational techniques. It aims to teach the standard required to complete…
Minimum age16 and over
Level:Intermediate
Format:Classroom
Setting:Afloat
View course