Lymington Boat Club – Powerboat Level 2 - General
Welcome to the section of our website dedicated to the support of your training as a member of Lymington Boat Club. This section mainly focusses on the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course but we introduce the other options available to you to develop your skills, competence and safety afloat.
At Powerboat Training UK and Aquasafe we have worked alongside Solent RIB Charter for over 20 years and are proud to be able to assist members of the club to develop their skills and ability when handling the great boats you have at your disposal. Our focus is on safe, fun and inspiring training for all of your family and friends. You have invested to ensure that you have a great time afloat and we recognise that our job is to help you make the most of your membership keeping you and your family safe whilst getting the most from the club boats available to you.
Training can occur on our RIBs or on the Boat Club boats. Which path we follow is something we agree with you and the Boat Club team at the outset.
The majority of the members start out with the Powerboat Level 2 course coupled to the RYA VHF Radio course. There’s the option though to extend your knowledge with a variety of other courses – both afloat and theory based. We look at these further below.
What does the course entail?
Check out our introductory video.
Course Duration
2 days from 9am to 5pm.
Instructor – student ratio
We can train a maximum of three people per course. You often will find that you learn as much from watching another student execute a manoeuvre as you do from doing it yourself. With Boat Club courses, sometimes it may just be one person on a course and at other times it could be three new members doing the course together. The Boat Club team can chat this through with you.
Prior experience
No prior boating experience is necessary. The course equally suits those new to boating and those who have been boating for years. Most people take Level 2 and bypass Level 1. You do not need to already have Level 1 before you take Level 2.
Other courses to consider booking to develop your skills and enjoyment…..
For those starting out….
RYA Marine VHF Radio This is an essential course for those afloat in a marine environment. A VHF radio is the primary means of seeking assistance when afloat as it alerts both the Coastguard and other boaters. More information here …. Here
RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship This is a great online course to build on the theory knowledge you gain on the Powerboat Level 2 course and helps to give you a deeper understanding of areas like charts, tides, buoyage and collision regulations. More information here ….Here
For those seeking to develop skills to the next level….
RYA Intermediate Powerboat If the Level 2 course is about developing the skills to head on on relatively short passages from Lymington then the 2 day intermediate course is about giving the skills for planning longer trips – eg Poole or Portsmouth type distances. More information here ….Here
RYA Dayskipper Theory The Essential Navigation and Seamanship course lasts 2 days if its in the classroom whilst Dayskipper Theory lasts 5 days so goes into much more detail – available classroom or online. More information here ….Here
Lymington Boat Club – Powerboat Level 2 - The Course
The RYA Powerboat level 2 course is aimed both at those new to boating and those that have boated a while that want to improve their boat handling.
Your instructor will cover the following topics with you during your time with him/her:
- Boat Handling including in confined spaces.
- Approaching and securing to a buoy
- Anchoring
- Leaving and coming alongside
- Handling a boat at planing speed
- Man overboard
- Launching & recovery
- Navigation to include charts, tides, buoyage
- Undertaking a passage
- The ‘Collision regulations’
The vast majority of the time on this course is spent on the water and out of the classroom.
The time that you do spend in on theory will cover: The types of craft and their respective advantages/disadvantages; engines & drives; use of power tilt & trim tabs; safety checks; personal buoyancy; awareness of other water users; application of the collision regulations (IRPCS); local bylaws; towing and being towed; communication with other craft; emergency action; distress signals; fire precautions and fire fighting and rope work.
On the second day of the course we spend time looking at charts, tides, buoyage and using a compass. Using these skills we then prepare a short pilotage plan and execute it to put into practice the skills developed it in the classroom.
Essentially day one of the course is aimed at developing your ability to competently handle the craft in close quarter situations whilst day two develops the ability to navigate and then puts this into practice ensuring you have the ability to undertake short inshore passages.
Once you have reached the standard at which we can award the Level 2 certificate should you wish you can go on to apply for your ICC from the RYA. The relevant form can be downloaded (here) which coupled with a photo and a copy of your certificate will get you your licence. If you are a member of the RYA then your ICC is free else it costs approximately £47. Coincidently joining the RYA costs about the same so we would generally advise that you join then get the ICC free. If you intend travelling abroad shortly after your course and thus require your ICC to be issued quickly we advise that you join the RYA a few weeks before your course and then call the relevant department to try to ensure a quick turnaround for your application my own only took a week.
In certain situations the Level 2 certificate can be attained without attending the full course. This is known as Direct Assessment and takes half a day. (Call us if you feel that your experience is suitable and you are interested in this way of obtaining Level 2).
Lymington Boat Club – Powerboat Level 2 - Syllabus
Aim: “To teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats. Minimum age 12, those aged 12 to 16 will receive a Level 2 Certificate endorsed “The holder should only use powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult.”
Please note (From PTUK): The vast majority of time on the course is spent on the water boat handling. Therefore the volume of text dedicated to the topics below should not be taken to indicate the time spent on each of these areas.
Knowledge of: The subject will be briefly explained. Familiarisation during the course and where to find out more after the course.
Understands: The subject will be covered in greater depth and you will be asked to demonstrate a basic understanding and go away from the course able to develop your own skill in this area.
Can: The subject will be covered in great depth, including background theory, demonstrations by the instructor and repeated practice by yourself until you can demonstrate good skills in the subject.
Practical
Launch & recovery
Knowledge of:
- Use of a trailer or launching trolley
- Consideration of launching and sea conditions, including hazards and obstructions
- Number of persons required to launch/recover
- Construction, width and condition of slipway
- Steep/slippery slipways, beach launching, lee shores
- Care of trailer bearings, hitch, lashings, ties, lights and winch
- Trailer parking
Can:
- Prepare the boat, lines, fenders, safety equipment, fuel tanks, lines and secure gear on board
- Prepare to go afloat
- Tie relevant knots
Boat Handling
Knowledge of:
- Loading: effect on handling and performance, effect on balance and trim, CE Plate and manufacturer’s recommendation
- Handling characteristics of displacement boats, rudder steered craft and shaft driven vessels
Understands:
- Crew members: minimum number in faster craft, keeping a look-out
- The importance of boat control in waves and adequate seating to minimise the possibility of back injury
- Awareness of other water users, including effect of wash
- Steering, controls, effect of current or tidal stream
- Handling a boat at planing speed, trim tabs and power trim
- Planing boats: propeller angle and immersion, shallow drive, planing and displacement speed handling, tiller/console steering
Can:
- Carry out pre-start checks, engine starting and stopping
- Demonstrate the use of an appropriate length kill cord at all times
- Carry out low speed manoeuvres including: turning in a confined area, effect of wind on bow and holding off. Demonstrate an awareness of the danger of flooding when going astern
- Handling a boat at planing speed
Securing to a buoy
Understands:
- Preparation of mooring warp
- Use of a boat hook
- Direction of approach
- Taking way off
- Crew communication
- Making fast
- Procedure when overshooting
Can:
- Approach and secure to buoy
Anchoring
Knowledge of:
- Types of anchor
- Stowage and attachment to boat
- Preparation of anchor, chain and warp
- Weighing anchor
Understands:
- Correct approach in various conditions
- Taking way off
- Crew communication
- Check holding
- Depth of water, holding ground, scope required
Can:
- Approach and anchor correctly
- Weigh anchor correctly
Leaving and coming alongside
Understands:
- Preparation and use of lines and fenders, attachment to boat, stowage under way
- Speed and angle of approach
- Wind effect
- Method of approach in tidal stream or current
Can:
- Make fast alongside
- Use springs
- Leave – ahead or astern
Man overboard
Knowledge of:
- Recovery or man overboard
Understands:
- Cold shock and immersion hypothermia
- How and when to raise the alarm
Can:
- Take immediate action
- Observe the man overboard
- Carry out the correct return with awareness of propeller
- Approach and recover the ‘man’ in the water (Small weighted buoy to be used)
- Demonstrate both drift down and into wind approach method
- Switch engine off
Theory
Knowledge of:
- Types of craft: advantages and disadvantages of different hull forms with respect to sea keeping ability
- Seating arrangements
- Stepped hulls
- Engines and drives: advantages and disadvantages of outboard, inboard and outdrive units, single and twin screws, choice and use of fuels
- Siting of fuel tanks, fuel lines, batteries, wiring, fire extinguishers
- Routine engine maintenance checks, basic fault diagnosis
- Close down procedure
- Advice to inland drivers about coastal waters
- Use and limitations of GPS/Chartplotters
- Application of local byelaws, especially around commercial shipping
- Sources of weather information
Understands:
- Awareness of other water users
- Communication with other craft
- Disabled craft
- Emergency action, preventing sinking
- Adrift – alternative means or propulsion
- Actions to be taken by disabled craft and being towed
- Fire precautions and fire fighting
- Distress signals, means of issuing distress, DSC and the Mayday call
- Advice for vessels in restricted visibility
Can:
- Apply IRPCS, principally rules 5, 7, 8, 9, 12-18
Coastal
Knowledge of:
- Byelaws and local regulatins
- Insurance
- Boat registration schemes
Understands:
- Pilotage and passage planning
- Charts, chart symbols, buoyage systems
- Tides and tidal streams
Can:
- Use steering and hand bearing compasses.
- Undertake practical handling on tidal waters
Lymington Boat Club – Powerboat Level 2 - Reviews
Whatever we may think of our courses what really counts is what others think, below are a selection of comments taken directly from the Feedback Forms that we ask are filled in at the end of each course.
I just want to say thank you so much for a great course for the boys last weekend. Even in the rain they loved it. Sammy is a great teacher and Viv organised everything perfectly. They have already been raving about it to their friends so you may be getting more bookings! Thanks so much..Justin
Absolutely loved it. I genuinely can’t stress enough how great John was. My girlfriend and I have both now explained to our respective parents how lucky we were to have had him all to ourselves.
An unbelievable weekend with a lifelong skill at the end of it, made even more special by the fun, informative and patient captain we had on boards. A million thank yous! Xander
PAUL was brilliant. Very calm and he gave reassuring instructions. You didn’t really feel you were learning and then you just realised you could control your boat. I would recommend this training to anyone getting into motor boats or even up sizing. It is well worth the time and money.
Jim
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and feel encouraged to learn more starting with the online navigation course.
Rupert
Paul was fantastic I would definitely use you again!
Andy
We would just like to say thank you for the great service and care you and your team delivered to us during our 2 day Power Boat level 2 training. Thank you to Tony for explaining everything so well, keeping us safe and being so patient, he is a credit to Powerboat Training UK. When the time is right we will be back for more training in the near future as we have the power boat bug.
Frank and Joanna
Just a quick e-mail to thank you for a great couple of days I had completing the level 2 course over the weekend. Having going from not knowing a thing about boating to knowing a whole lot more! As I am looking to buying my first boat I found the information given go a long way to vastly increase my confidence on the water. Please also would you pass on my sincere thanks to Robin, who was my instructor for the two days, I found his guidance and patience made me feel relaxed and at ease, and his knowledge of boaty things made learning fun! Looking forward to more training when i get my first boat.
Mark
Thanks Viv, the level 2 course was brilliant and as I’m sure you already know, Robin made it, he is a great guy and is a huge asset to your operation. I don’t praise people who just do their job, but Robin went the extra mile, fantastic guy.
George
Just wanted to let you know what an excellent 2 days I’ve just enjoyed at Lymington on the Powerboat Level 2 course with Philip! The course content and pace was just perfect and Philip presented it in a very knowledgeable and enjoyable way. It has certainly given me the best possible introduction to Powerboats. I’m already looking forward to the VHF course next Saturday! Also, wanted to thank you both for your patience and understanding in providing me with an alternative course following my personal issues.
David
We completed our Powerboat level 2 course over the weekend and all 3 of us enjoyed ourselves immensely as well as learning a great deal. Would you please pass on our sincere thanks to both Paul and Phillip who were both excellent teachers and very patient with us whilst we struggled to learnt about something that was totally new to us. Their understanding & knowledge made the whole process a lot easier!
Bernard
IT WAS BLOODY BRILLIANT! I can’t tell you how nice Robin is as a coach and person he made the whole thing so enjoyable and the knowledge we both walked away with has set us up perfectly. I can’t speak highly enough of Aquasafe and the whole set up. Elizabeth was dreading it but came away really happy and pleased she did it. I think Robin played a massive part in making Elizabeth feel safe and gave her confidence. Two great days of learning and I will be recommending to my friends and family. Thank you so so much and hope to see you soon when I get some time to book up the other courses.
Joshua
On behalf of myself and everyone who attended the course over the last couple of days, I just wanted to say thank you very much. Everyone was impressed with the instruction and the course as a whole.
Arron
Just to say thank you very much for Saturday, we both enjoyed it and got a lot out of the training. I am hoping we will have some opportunities to put it into practice over the next few weeks. Thanks for your help, I hope we can come back and do some more training before too long.
Alison
Hello Viv. A quick note while I remember to say thank you for organizing the course for James and I. We enjoyed it very much and Alan was very professional and affable. I feel very confident now to take a boat out and also realize how little I knew and also how little I still know! Sammy is a very pleasant young man too. All Best Wishes.
Mark
I completed my PB level 2 course over the weekend under Anthony. The course was great and very well delivered, so I offer strong complements to the company and to Anthony as an individual.
Sam
Hello there. I just wanted to send a quick email to thank you for the Powerboat Level 2 course in Lymington last Thursday and Friday, that myself, my son Sonny and my father, Dave completed – even despite the hilariously horrendous weather on Friday! Our instructor, Philip, was absolutely brilliant with all three of us. Very professional, patient, knowledgeable, kind and great company; he pitched the course content brilliantly well for both the 12 year old level and the 71 year old level and everything in between! Please pass on my greatest thanks to Philip and looking forward to getting lots of practice in and doing some future courses with you.
With warmest wishes Juliette
Hi Viv
Just to let you know how fantastic we thought the training was and how useful it has proved to be. Olly was skippering our Boston Whaler on Saturday on his own and the engine cut out near Old Harry. He had to make an emergency call to the coastguard after doing all the the things he had been trained to do on the course. He didn’t panic, he carried out checks and eventually made it to Swanage where the coastguard met him and we got Sea Start to him. Between them they worked out what the problem was and he ended up racing Sea Start back to Studland 🙂
The incident is mentioned in the Echo today.
He kept in touch with us by phone and we didn’t panic either because we knew he was confident and able to handle the situation. All the adults he came into contact with were really impressed with the way he handled himself and the boat.
So – thank you – and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this course to anyone, whatever their age.
Cheers, Julie x
“Hi Viv, just to say thanks for providing Paul for our course. He took us from complete novices to competent power boat handlers. He was also brilliant with our 15 year old son Lyall. So many thanks for the course.”
Best wishes Mandy
“I would like to thank the team very much for a most enjoyable Level 2 Course. Paul, Dom and Nye created a great atmosphere in the classroom and on the boats and did a great job of getting everyone to work as a team. Questions were encouraged and no-one was made to feel out of place for asking – Paul came to my assistance when I couldn’t quite fathom how to get the lifejacket on and even managed to keep a straight face!
Dom took our group of three for the practical sessions and really made the course come alive. His enthusiasm for powerboats clearly rubbed off and I have now decided to get a RIB! Our group didn’t have a lot of experience with handling boats before and Dom was great at seeing where we were going wrong and adjusting the pace to suit our needs.
I would definitely recommend Powerboat Training UK to anyone considering getting on the water, even with little or no experience. I look forward to taking my Intermediate Course at some point in the future after I’ve practiced what I’ve learnt a bit more.”
Martin
“Just wanted to write to thank you for a great course at the weekend. Alyn was incredibly patient and responded to our million and one questions with enthusiasm every time. Before buying a boat I had never realised that there were so many things to think about and now a few days on I really struggle to see how we would have managed to boat safely without doing the course.”
Joe & Ann (and son Ben) after spending two days with Paul and their new 28ft Bayliner sportscruisier.
“Thanks for taking the extra time with us at weekend to help us ensure we could do the launch and recovery part of boating during our Level 2 course. It was really helpful to do it a couple of times during the weekend and if you are okay with it we will take you up on your offer of assistance the next time we come down to launch.”
Jon after spending a couple of days undertaking Level 2 with his 7m RIB where we dedicated specific time to practicing launch and recovery with his vehicle/trailer/boat to ensure it was handled safely and he was happy with the process.
“I enjoyed all aspects of both theory and practical work, there was lots of time on the water giving me plenty of the time at the helm. Good student to Instructor ratio.”
Stephen commenting on his Level 2 course.
“I enjoyed all aspects of the course, a great friendly Instructor who covered everything in brilliant detail. I got plenty of practice at everything and he answered every question I had.”
Mike commenting on his Level 2 course.
“Great instruction, clear concise theoretical work and good practical. Overall brilliant – great Instructors.”
Charles commenting on his Level 2 course.
“Gave me confidence to go boating.”
Mario commenting on his Level 2 course
Lymington Boat Club – Powerboat Level 2 - Gallery
Lymington Boat Club – Powerboat Level 2 - Book Now
Thank you for your interest in booking a course.
The nature of the courses that we run for members of Lymington Boat Club Means that we don’t schedule dates and all courses are arranged to suit you and others we are training.
Courses may be on our boats in Poole or may be on Club Boats in Lymington. This is something that will be discussed with the team at the Boat Club and will depend on availability and how many members are seeking courses at any time.
We are always delighted to chat through training so please feel free to call or email.
