About the Scheme
The RYA Powerboat Scheme was first developed to provide a qualification for dinghy sailing instructors and club safety boat drivers using powerboats to cover their dinghy fleets.
It has grown from its original concept into what is now the most popular scheme offered by the RYA. The Scheme is applicable to sportsboats, RIBs, dories and launches and other boats that don’t provide accommodation and cooking facilities.
The lowest age limit for RYA training in powerboats is 8 years old (RYA PB 1 only)
Eight to eleven year olds should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult on board.
The minimum age for an RYA PB2 Course is 12 years old, Those aged 12-16 should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult.
A Summary of the RYA Powerboat Scheme courses is given here:
The Right Powerboat Course For You
Level 1 Start Powerboating. This course is to provide a practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats and the course duration is 1 day. The minimum age for students is 8 years old.
Level 2 Powerboat Handling. The course is designed to teach boat handling and seamanship in either planing or displacement boats. No previous knowldege is required for this course. The minimum age is 12 years old.
The RYA Powerboat Intermediate Helm (Day Cruising) course covers the practical use of pilotage and passage planning by day on coastal waters using both traditional and electronic navigational techniques.
This course builds on the foundation knowledge of the Level 2 Powerboat Handling course and is suited to those who aim to drive larger more powerful powerboats. You will cover, cruising at planing speed and more advanced boat handling during this two day course. It is recommended for anyone considering moving on to the Advanced course
This course is for leisure and professional boaters wanting to undertake more adventurous trips by day and night.
It includes navigation at planing speed, weather and other aspects of skippering powerboats on more challenging passages in coastal waters. Given the nature of these passages Advanced Powerboat courses should be delivered on powerboats of a minimum of 6 metres and an engine size sufficient to enable coastal passages at planing speed.
For those individuals who intend to work on the water, PPSA can put together a package that will allow you to apply for a commercial endorsement to your powerboat level 2 qualification. This commercially endorsed PB2 certificate will allow you to work up to 3 nautical miles to sea from a nominated departure point (also depending on the coding of your vessel).
The RYA/MCA Advanced Powerboat exam is a practical test of skippering ability by day and night in the type of craft applicable to the National Powerboat Scheme.
Direct entry assessments can be provided for the Powerboat Level 2 (Powerboat Handling) certificate. You should have the equivalent of at least one full season’s powerboat-handling experience and must be able to complete all of the practical elements of the Level 2 syllabus. You shuld have sufficient theory knowledge as outlined in the PB2 Syllabus and Logbook.
Please call the centre should you wish to undertake a Direct Entry Assessment.
You may wish to become a Powerboat Instructor if you’re interested in passing on your Powerboating knowledge to others and have the neceesary pre-requisits. PPSA will run 1 or 2 Powerboat Instructor Courses a year according to demand.
The course will be run by a Powerboat Trainer who has been trained and assessed to deliver the course to the required standard. Each course will be moderated on the last day by another, separate RYA Powerboat Trainer.
The course is preceded by a skills assessment to ensure that candidates have the powerboat driving skills required of an instructor. These skills are based on the RYA Powerboat Level 2 skills.
As an instructor with your Advanced Certificate of Competence, you may wish also to progress to become an Advanced Powerboat Instructor, passing on your experience and skills to those who also enjoy the challenge of night time navigation and skippering an open boat.
Course Dates
Get in touch with PPSA if you can’t find dates that suit you.
| Date/Time | Event | Available Spaces |
|---|---|---|
|
27/07/2026 - 28/07/2026 9:30 am - 5:00 pm |
RYA Intermediate Powerboat Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
3 |
|
30/07/2026 - 31/07/2026 9:15 am - 5:00 pm |
Powerboat Level 2 Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
Fully Booked |
|
01/08/2026 - 02/08/2026 9:30 am - 5:00 pm |
RYA Intermediate Powerboat Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
3 |
|
08/08/2026 - 09/08/2026 9:15 am - 5:00 pm |
Powerboat Level 2 Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
Fully Booked |
|
15/08/2026 - 16/08/2026 9:15 am - 5:00 pm |
Powerboat Level 2 Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
Fully Booked |
|
22/08/2026 - 23/08/2026 9:15 am - 5:00 pm |
Powerboat Level 2 Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
2 |
|
24/08/2026 - 25/08/2026 9:30 am - 5:00 pm |
RYA Intermediate Powerboat Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
3 |
|
27/08/2026 - 28/08/2026 9:15 am - 5:00 pm |
Powerboat Level 2 Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
Fully Booked |
|
29/08/2026 - 30/08/2026 9:15 am - 5:00 pm |
Powerboat Level 2 Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
3 |
|
03/09/2026 - 04/09/2026 9:15 am - 5:00 pm |
Powerboat Level 2 Course <-Book Here
Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy, Neyland, MILFORD HAVEN Pembrokeshire |
3 |
Accommodation
