Day Cruising (Intermediate) Powerboat Course

The Day Cruising course aims to teach you to take the powerboat beyond just line of sight destinations and learn more about both traditional and modern navigational techniques including the use of a range of on-board electronics including RADAR.

You will spend time working on passage planning and pilotage skills which you will put into practice by completing a slightly longer coastal trip.

Planning a Day cruise: pilotage, navigation, safety, fuel and engine checks.

Boat handling and passage making: effects of waves and rougher conditions, berthing in different situations,

Use of on-board electronics including: AIS, GNSS, Chartplotters, Radar

Candidates are assessed throughout the course – there is no formal written/practical exam. 

Whereas Level 2 focuses on introducing boaters to short trips close to shore the Intermediate Course aims to take them further afield. The course perfectly suits:

  • Those who are quite new to boating and wish to build on the skills and knowledge gained in their Level 2 course. As a guide typically a 12 month gap is perfect however if after getting your Level 2 course you have got plenty of hours under your belt less than 12 months can be fine. Call to discuss if you are unsure.
  • The course is also perfect for those who have boated for years but want to expand their horizons. The Intermediate Course can ‘bolt on’ perfectly to many years of experience opening up new horizons and improving confidence and the enjoyment of exploring new places.
  • For those without their own boat the Intermediate course is a great way to get more time afloat whilst learning at the same time

Please note that the Intermediate Powerboat Course can not be commercially endorsed.

Practical Skills

The course assumes you can already  handle a powerboat and have practical ability to at least the PB2 standard. You should be able to conduct a number of manoeuvres such as: picking up a buoy, MOB recovery, confined space turning and leaving and coming alongside.

Navigation/Shore based Skills

You should have navigation and shorebased knowledge to  Day Skipper Theory – you will already have an understanding of traditional and electronic charts, buoyage, basic weather and simple navigation such as Estimating Position and Course to Steer.

It is strongly recommended that candidates hold a first aid certificate and a VHF operators certificate

9am – 5pm each day

Minimum Duration: 2 days

16 years old

This course operates with a maximum of 3 students per instructor/vessel

There are no course materials provided for this course and a paper certificate is provided on successful completion of the course.