The RYA Advanced Powerboat Course is designed for experienced powerboat skippers who already have a solid foundation in boat handling and navigation and wish to operate confidently in more demanding conditions. This course develops advanced practical and decision-making skills, preparing you for coastal passages by day and night, including offshore and rough-water operation.
Throughout the course, you will practise and refine the following areas:
Advanced preparation of the vessel, safety equipment, and passage planning for coastal operations
High-speed boat handling in rougher seas, including trim, balance, and power management
Close-quarters manoeuvring and boat control in exposed and tidal conditions
Night navigation and pilotage, including use of lights, lookout, and situational awareness
Advanced navigation, chartwork, and short coastal passage execution
Effective use and limitations of electronic navigation aids (GPS, chartplotter, radar where fitted)
Collision Regulations (COLREGs) applied to real-world scenarios, by day and night
Man-overboard recovery and towing techniques in more challenging conditions
Crew management, communication, and skipper decision-making under pressure
Engine awareness, fault recognition, and considerations for offshore operation