Powerboat courses

The Club is an approved RYA Training Centre for Power Boat Instruction and offers several levels of powerboat training from absolute novice to RYA Safety Boat. For details of the courses available see below. Although an inland lake the RYA Powerboat 2 course covers the costal requirements.

Although we are primarily a sailing and windsurfing club, we run powerboat training for many important reasons:

  • To enable club activities to be safe both for organised and informal sailing 
  • To allow us to deliver RYA Sailing and Dinghy training 
  • As part of the instructor development programme 
  • To improve the overall standard of driving and rescue capability within the club 
  • To facilitate our member’s wider boating experience 
  • To raise income by running paid courses for club and external candidates 

Adrian Jones is our Chief Power Boat Instructor heading up a Team of RYA Powerboat Instructors. 

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking  terms for water based  training

One of our safety boats used for training

Course Details

Course Details

Course overview

This is an inhouse, club members only driving and safety course, designed to help the successful participant to be able to drive powerboats for club racing and general safety duties at Notts County Sailing Club. These run over 2 separate days, the first day is a driving course, the second is a safety course. Members who have RYA PB2 are exempt from the first day and can proceed to the Day 2 Safety Course. If you do not have your RYA PB2, please book both days separately, making sure that day 1 is completed before day 2. If you have RYA PB2 Certificate you will only need to book Day 2.

In addition, existing club drivers are welcome to attend for refresher training on a day 2 course.

NB; power boating is a cold activity (much colder than sailing as you are generally stationary in the boat) so we advise you to come well wrapped up, you can always remove layers. It is much harder to warm up once you get cold. For safety and rescue day, you will get wet and should be equipped for and prepared to enter the water.

Price: Members only – Free

Course pre-requisites

None but members holding RYA 2 are exempt from Day 1 (driving) and can proceed directly to Day 2 (safety).

Course duration

2 days (16 hours) or equivalent number of sessions, dependent on experience

Minimum age

16 years

Content

Boat handling (pontoon leaving and returning), rib placement (racing and training), casualty recovery (drift down/head up methods), righting capsized and total inversion dinghies, recovery of boats stuck on the mud and keelboat recovery (theory only).

Qualification gained on successful completion

Qualification gained – ability to volunteer to undertake Club Driving Duties 

Format

Practical 

Student / instructor ratio

1:3

What’s included

Use of club boats and equipment.

Buoyancy aids will be provided if you don’t have your own.

What you should bring

Depending on the time of year the Galley may be open for the purchase of breakfast, lunch and hot and cold drinks. If it will not be, you will be advised in advance so that you can bring your own food. Hot water will always be available

Kit list :

  • Correct seasonal clothing e.g. layers.
  • Buoyancy aid of correct specification e.g. adult 50N (one will be provided if you do not have your own)
  • Appropriate enclosed footwear
  • Additional warm clothing
  • Waterproof outer spray top or coat
  • Swimming costume and towel
  • Sunscreen 
  • Water bottle
  • Appropriate hat for the weather
  • Gloves for warmth if required
  • Change(s) of clothing

Course Details

Course overview

Learn how to drive a powerboat safely. This entry-level course (includes Level 1 Start Powerboating) provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive and a powerboat competently in suitable conditions and forms the basis for an application for an International Certificate of Competence. It teaches boat handling, seamanship in powerboats. It focuses on low speed close quarters handling, man overboard recovery, an introduction to driving at planing speed, passage planning and collision regulations..

Course pre-requisites

None.

Course duration

2 days or equivalent number of sessions

Minimum age

12 (candidates under the age of 16 will be issued with an endorsed certificate) 8-12 year old can take RYA Level 1Powerboat, please enquire a stop availability.

Content

Launching and recovery, boat handling, securing to a buoy, anchoring, leaving and coming alongside, passage planning and man overboard. Incorporates RYA Level 1 Start Powerboating.

Qualification gained on successful completion

Self-sufficient powerboater in the right conditions, aware of own limitations and those of the craft.

The successful candidate is awarded an RYA powerboat level 2 (PB2) certificate that requires a passport sized photograph. The PB2 certificate allows holders to apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC), an especially useful certificate if you plan to go boating abroad. The PB2 licence is also an essential requirement to become an RYA Instructor and is desirable for assistant instructors. Please note the Inland/Coastal distinction has now been removed so we are able to award the full PB2 licence.

Format

Predominantly practical but with some classroom elements.

Student / instructor ratio

3:1

What’s included

Use of boats, equipment, RYA Powerboat Handbook.
Types of boats used: “planing” boats, i.e. RIBS, Pioneers and Rigiflex i.e. boats that lift up and move across, through the water, and powered by outboard engines.

What you should bring

Depending on the time of year the Galley may be open for the purchase of breakfast, lunch and hot and cold drinks. If it will not be, you will be advised in advance so that you can bring your own food. Hot water will always be available .

Passport sized photograph.

Kit list :

  • Correct seasonal clothing e.g. layers.
  • Buoyancy aid of correct specification e.g. adult 50N (one will be provided if you do not have your own)
  • Appropriate enclosed footwear
  • Additional warm clothing
  • Waterproof outer spray top or coat
  • Swimming costume and towel
  • Sunscreen 
  • Water bottle
  • Appropriate hat for the weather
  • Gloves for warmth is required
  • Change(s) of clothing
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