RYA Powerboat Level 2 course

If you want to be competent and safer when you are out on the water in a powerboat of any kind you need to get yourself qualified. Undertaking this course will give you a much greater appreciation and understanding of the hazards present, and the safety procedures and handling skills required to mitigate them. Our powerboat courses are provided by one of the UK's leading powerboat training schools. All of their instructors are fully qualified and the courses are full RYA qualifications.

The Course:

The RYA Level Two course is also known as the National Powerboat Course. It is our most popular course and the two days over which it is run gives plenty of time for both practical instruction and theory. Whilst at first glance the syllabus appears very similar to the level one course the extra time available makes a real difference to the depth in which subjects are covered and therefore the amount a student can learn. Your instructor will cover the following topics with you during your time with him/her:

• Launching & recovery
• Boat Handling including in confined spaces.
• approaching and securing to a buoy
• Anchoring
• Leaving and coming alongside
• Handling a boat at planing speed
• Man overboard

The vast majority of the course is spent on the water and out of the classroom. The shorebased element of the course will cover: The types of craft and their respective advantages/disadvantages; engines & drives; use of power tilt & trim tabs; safety checks; personal buoyancy; awareness of other water users; application of the collision regulations (IRPCS); local bylaws; towing and being towed; communication with other craft; emergency action; distress signals; fire precautions and fire fighting and rope work. On the second day of the course we spend time looking at charts, tides and using a compass. Using these skills we then prepare a passage plan and execute it through the harbour.

Course Duration

2 days from 9am to 5pm.

Instructor to student ratio

3 students to 1 instructor and boat. We usually run 2-3 boats per course the benefit being you get to use different boats and benefit from the interaction with other students. You often will find that you learn as much from watching another student execute a manoeuvre  as you do from doing it yourself

Prior experience required

No prior boating experience is necessary. The course equally suits those new to boating and those who have been boating for years. Most people take Level 2 and bypass Level 1 as it is not a requirement that you have Level 1 before you take Level 2.

The course appeals to a variety of individuals

1. Those new to boating keen to ensure that as they start boating they are 'doing it right'. The course focuses on ensuring that you develop a really good base understanding of boat handling, navigation and seamanship. After the course you can then 'bolt on' more practical experience to really cement the knowledge gained on the course.
2. Those keen to boat overseas and want to achieve their ICC but don't have the theory and navigation experience to undertake an ICC assessment.
3. Those who have boated for a while but never received any formal training. Level 2 ensures that you will carry on, but doing it the 'right way' ensuring that you use the most efficient methods and with a good understanding of the 'building blocks' of boating. Many of the people falling into this 'camp' tend to wonder before a course how much they will gain from the course as they have been boating so long yet after the course wonder why they never did it sooner. Indeed for some it really reinvigorates their boating leading them to seek out new places to go with a greater confidence.
4. For those thinking about buying a boat the course serves as a great way to become a more 'educated buyer'. Our base in Poole is in a 1,200 berth marina so you will be able to see a huge number of craft during your time with us. Being around so many boats and able to discuss the pros and cons of the various styles with the Instructors really helps when it comes to assessing the huge number of craft out there to buy.

When does it run/availability

• Courses are available 7 days a week, allow at least  1 weeks booking notice
• Available all year round, seven days a week. (Weather permitting)
• 2 Day Experience
• Flexible times from morning to evenings available

What you need to bring along

• Warm clothing and sensible shoes is always recommended.  Also don't forget to bring a bottle of water and some sunscreen just in case!

 What to do next?

• Simply add it to your basket by clicking the "buy now" button
• Go to the checkout and complete your purchase
• When you complete your purchase we'll send you an activity voucher email with contact and location details of your instructors
• Simply give them a call, get your date booked in and off you go! (you have six months to redeem your voucher)

The GO AWOL promise

Here's five great reasons to choose GO AWOL:

1.  We partner with some of the best activity providers so you can rest easy knowing that you're going to have an awesome time

2.  You get an activity voucher that can be used anytime for the next 6 months giving you total flexibility over when you want to book your dates. It's also ideal as a gift for someone

3.  Your activity voucher is totally flexible – you can change the activity any time you like provided that you haven't booked the date in with the activity provider. And even if you have done this we can still usually change your activity

4.  We offer one of the broadest range of beginner, intermediate and advanced courses

5.  And best of all, if you haven't had a superb time on the activity you booked through us tell us why and we'll sort out an alternative activity for you or give you a refund

Check out our FAQs or full Terms and Conditions if you need more information or drop us an email.