£150  /   1 Day Course

 Course Dates

Welcome to your Power Boating Course with the Glaciere. The R.Y.A National Powerboat Scheme exists to meet the need of those who use small, open power boats. Power boating is fun and a relatively easy sport to take part in. Power boating is an exhilarating fun and often fast activity. In recent years the number of people involved in the sport has multiplied meaning that there are many more boats on the water. It has never been more important to acquire skills to make the sport safer and more enjoyable for all. This course isn’t just suited to sailors it’s also suited to divers, wanting to take part in boat dives. There isn’t a minim age limit for a bower boating course so this course is suited to any body. Even if you have no sail experience at all this course will suit you.

INTRODUCTION TO POWERBOATING

Aim: to provide a practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats. The course may be conducted in a variety of boat types, both planing and displacement and the certificate issued will be endorsed to show the type(s) of boat in which the training took place. The ratio of students to instructors should not exceed 3:1.Duration: 1 day

PRACTICAL BOAT HANDLING

1. Launch and recovery (optional for displacement craft) Use of trailer or launching trolley

Consideration of launching and sea conditions, including hazard

Construction, width and condition of ramp/slipway

2. Preparation of boat

Fitting and removing outboard engine [planing craft only)

Fuel: tanks and lines, type, re-fuelling procedures

Equipment: lines, fenders, anchor and warp, bailer, fire extinguisher-engine spares and tools, pump, paddles or oars, compass flares, torch, whistle, charts, first aid kit.

3. Boat Handling

Pre-start checks

Starting and stopping, including use of kill cord on outboard engines

Steering, controls, windage

Planing boats: propeller angle and immersion, use of shallow drive lever, low speed handling ahead and astern.

Displacement boats: handling ahead and astern, carrying way/in/neutral

4. Picking up and securing to a mooring buoy

Preparation of mooring warp

Use of boat hook

Method of approach

Crew communication

Making fast

5. Leaving and coming alongside

Preparation and use of painter, lines and fenders, attachment to boat, stowage under way

Speed and angle of approach

Wind effect

Method of approach in tidal stream or current

Making fast alongside

Use of springs

Leaving - ahead or astern

6. Being towed

Preparing own lines for towing

Securing tow lines

Trim and balance under tow

SHOREBASED TEACHING

Personal buoyancy insurance

“Loading" effect on handling and performance, effect on balance and trim manufacturer's recommendation

Crew members: minimum number in high speed craft, keeping a look-out

Awareness of other water users, including effect of wash

Application of IRPCS

Local Bylaws  

Accepting a tow