RYA Powerboat Courses with North 58° Sea Adventures

The RYA's National Powerboat Scheme is for those who use small, open powerboats for leisure or work. Training is provided at North 58o’s Quayside facilities at Banff Harbour, with the practical part of the course being taught on the 8.5m RIB Buchaneer. It is also possible to arrange training on your own boat.

Course Information

Level 1 Course: This one-day course covers basic boat handling, safety and theory. (Minimum age: 8)

Level 2 Course: This two-day course provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive a powerboat and navigate safely. This course is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It includes safety, planning, weather, navigation, close quarters handling, high speed manoeuvres, man overboard recovery and much more. Your certificate will be endorsed for coastal boat handling. (Minimum age: 11 - children will have their certificates endorsed to show that they must use boats only under the supervision of a responsible adult)

Intermediate Course: This is a progression from Level 2, introducing pilotage, navigation and boat handling techniques for planing boats on coastal waters by day. A two-day course, this requires pre-course experience of boat handling to the standard of Level 2 with coastal endorsement. (Minimum age: 16)

Advanced Powerboat Course: This two-day course provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive a powerboat by day or night in known or unfamiliar waters, the skipper’s role and boat handling in more demanding conditions. Candidates should be competent to the standard of the Intermediate Powerboat Certificate and have knowledge of navigation and chartwork to the level of Day Skipper Shorebased certificate. (Minimum age: 17)

Student: Instructor Ratio:

There will be a maximum of 3 students per instructor. A minimum of 2 students are required per course, though it is possible to arrange intensive 1:1 tuition for custom training.

Course Dates and Costs

Courses are available throughout the year but arranged on demand. Please contact us for costs and to arrange suitable dates.

Times

Courses start at 09.00 each day at North 58's Quayside facilities at Banff Harbour and finish at 18.00 (except for Advanced courses).

General Considerations

All safety clothing and equipment, except footwear, will be provided. You should bring warm clothing (layers/fleeces), a set of dry clothes to change into and waterproof shoes or boots.

Parking is available next to the office. Accommodation suggestions can be given on request or via our links page.

Lunch is not provided - we suggest you bring a packed lunch with you on each day.