Irish Sailing Advanced Powerboat Course
(Level 4)

The Advanced Powerboat Course will allow power boaters to gain skills in boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation, at both day and night in coastal waters. 

Who should do this course?

Participants must hold a National Powerboat Certificate (Level 2) or an equivalent certificate and provide proof of 20 logged hours driving experience following their qualification. It is strongly recommended that participants hold a VHF radio operators’ certificate and a first aid certificate. 

Course Structure

Our Advanced Power Boat courses are run over 2 long days – normally a Saturday and Sunday. The course will commence at 8.00am on Day 1 and finish at approx 10.30pm. This is to allow for the night passage to be undertaken during hours of darkness. Day 2 will run from 8am to approx 7.30pm.

The minimum contact hours required for participants to pass the course is 25 hours. This may be reduced at 17 hours if participants hold a valid ‘Coastal Navigation for Small boats’ or equivalent certificate. Please inform us on registration if you hold a valid shore based navigation certificate. 

If you do not already hold a valid navigational certificate, you may be required to attend a shore based lesson on the evening prior to The Advanced Powerboat Course commencing in order to allow sufficient time to cover the shore based materials. More details will be provided on this session after booking. 

Course Syllabus

• Boat Preparation and safety briefing of crew
• Boat Handling – holding station, coming alongside at speed, lee shore landings
• Rough weather skills
• Meteorology; forecast sourcing and interpretation, implications for power boating activities
• Navigation; at day and night using GPS, depth sounder, steering and hand bearing compass
• Passage Planning
• International Collision Regulations, day shaped and night lights
• Safety, search patterns, sea anchor usage
• Basic maintenance, trailing and storage

The list above is just a brief summary of the many areas covered on the course. We aim to provide you with an in-depth guide in the advanced operation of a powerboat during hours of light and dark.

Course Cost

€400 per person

Please contact us if the dates listed on our schedule do not suit. Our team will endeavour to accommodate all bookings as best we can.

Upcoming Course Dates