The goal of the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course is to teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats.

What does the RYA Powerboat Level 2 entail?

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course provides the skills and knowledge to be a competent powerboat driver. Amongst other skills, the course teaches close quarter handling, man overboard recovery, an introduction to driving at planing speed, and collision regulations.

Who can do an RYA Powerboat Level 2 course?

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course is open to anyone who is 12 years or older.

What do you need to know before an RYA Powerboat Level 2 course?

There is no prerequisite as such, but an RYA Powerboat Level 1 course can be done before it.

What type of vessel is the course delivered on?

The course can be conducted in a planning or displacement vessel and at either a coastal or inland venue.

How long does an RYA Powerboat Level 2 course take?

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course should be done over a minimum time period of 2 days.

Is there a set syllabus?

Yes, the syllabus includes: launching and recovery, boat handling, securing to a buoy, anchoring, leaving and coming alongside, and man overboard.

What is the format of the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course?

The RYA Powerboat Level 2 course predominantly takes place afloat. However, some of the learning elements, such as navigation, will take place in the classroom.

The instructor will guide you through the week, presenting learning objectives, allowing you to execute and practice these while presenting you with feedback as you progress.

What is the cost of a course?

As ever, many schools differ in price. We would recommend that you take a look around at the various options and find what suits your needs the best. Cheapest is not always better.

This can range from knowing if you will have to pay for food, fuel and extra berthing charges to how many other students you will be sharing your course with.

Where should I do my RYA Powerboat Level 2 course?

There are many thoughts on where is best, but to be truthful, it is what works best for you. 

One thought is to do it in an area that you plan to powerboat in the future, but do not know that well. That way, any specific learnings you take on your RYA Powerboat Level 2 course will be incredibly valuable to your future powerboating.

Another is to consider those factors above, such as fuel, food and students. Fewer students are not always better; 3 would be a great number.

What is the pass mark for the course?

There is no specific pass mark as such. The aim of the instructor is to bring you up to a level where you can execute a short coastal passage by day.

The instructor for your course will guide and personalise any learning to improve your knowledge and skills as much as possible.

What comes after the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course?

After your RYA Powerboat Level 2 course, we suggest getting out on the water and putting your new skills into practice. This may be on your own boat, a charter boat or even a friend’s boat.

Being out on the water without an instructor to guide or correct you will really help to reinforce your newly learned skills.

The next step is that you may then decide that you wish to attempt the RYA Intermediate Powerboat or RYA Advanced Powerboat course. For these, you will need, respectively, the RYA Day Skipper theory or RYA Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory.

Another great addition to get is your VHF SRC certificate.