Powerboat

This section is for people wanting to teach, the RYA Powerboat Scheme.

This scheme can be taught in a variety of small open powerboats such as RIBs, dories and sportsboats and is aimed at a variety of users from casual leisure boaters to professional small boat skippers. As an instructor you will therefore need to have experience in a variety of boats and situations.

Powerboat Instructor

Minimum age	16
Required certificates	First aid certificate RYA Powerboat Level 2 Health declaration form or medical questionnaire
Experience	Five seasons experience of powerboating logged (preferably in range of boat types and sizes) OR one season for those who use powerboats as an integral part of their normal full-time occupation.
Pre-entry assessment	Candidates must attend a skills assessment prior to their instructor training course. Details can be found in the RYA Power Schemes Instructor Handbook (G19)
Training course	Three day course assessed by an independent Trainer on the third day. Candidates who are already qualified as an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor (power) may attend a one day conversion course, rather than the full three day course. Instructor Course Dates.
Qualified to teach	Up to and including Powerboat Level 2 under the supervision of the Principal or Chief Instructor. If you hold the Safety Boat Certificate, you may also teach the RYA Safety Boat Course.
Validity	Five years from date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained.
RYA membership	Required

Advanced Powerboat Instructor

Minimum age	17
Required certificates	First aid certificate RYA Powerboat Instructor Advanced Powerboat Course Completion certificate One of the following Certificate of Competence: Advanced Powerboat, RYA Yachtmaster Coastal (power) RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (power) Commercial Endorsement (Advanced Instructors who do not hold a valid CE will only be able to teach Intermediate powerboat) Health Declaration form or medical questionnaire (for those without a commercial endorsement)
Experience	Logged teaching hours
Training course	Two day course and one evening, which will include a night exercise conducted in darkness. Continuous assessment throughout the course. For centres offering instructor courses in click here.
Qualified to teach	Tender Operator, Intermediate and Advanced powerboat courses.
Validity	Five years from date of issue, provided that a valid first aid certificate is maintained. Those teaching the Tender Operator or Advanced course will also need a current medical and commercial endorsement.
RYA membership	Required

Powerboat Trainer

Minimum age	18
Required certificates	First aid certificate Health declaration form or medical questionnaire Powerboat Instructor Intermediate or Advanced Powerboat course completion certificate Knowledge to level of Day Skipper Theory Professional Practices and Responsibilities
Experience	Experienced Powerboat Instructor with a strong knowledge of the syllabi for all courses in the RYA Powerboat Scheme. Must have strong skills in diplomacy and tact. Observing an instructor course is one way to ascertain strengths and development areas.
Pre-entry assessment	Powerboat Trainer is an appointment. Applications for consideration for Powerboat Trainer Selection are closed at this time. For applicants within the UK, a recommendation from your Regional Development Officer is desirable. If your application is successful, you will be invited to a Powerboat Trainer Selection Day, after which you may be invited to the Powerboat Trainer Course.
Training course	A four-day training course which focuses on the skills required to deliver instructor courses. In the UK, the best way to stay up to date with the process is via your Regional Development Officer, who may have some aspirant trainer professional development opportunities available.
Application	Powerboat Trainer Selection 2024 - applications are now closed. Notification of invitation to Powerboat Trainer selection have now been emailed to successful applicants. If you have not heard from us, you have not been successful on this occasion. There were upwards of 80 applications, many of a high calibre, since the delayed 2020 course. Invitation to a Powerboat Trainer selection day is made based on geographic requirement, strength of application and engagement with the regional development team if based in the UK. Powerboat Trainer is an appointment, and it is a fine balance to ensure that there are enough to service the Powerboat scheme and that trainers remain active. It is anticipated that applications will open again in 2025.
Qualified to teach	Train and assess instructors at all levels within the Powerboat scheme.
Validity	Appointed annually. After five years a practical revalidation is required.
RYA membership	Required

Powerboat Advanced Trainer

Minimum age	18
Required certificates	First aid certificate Health declaration form or medical questionnaire Powerboat Trainer Advanced Powerboat Instructor Commercial endorsement
Experience	Experienced RYA Powerboat Trainer who holds Advanced Powerboat Instructor with strong knowledge of the syllabi for all courses in the RYA Powerboat Scheme. Must have strong skills in diplomacy and tact.
Application	By invitation only
Qualified to teach	Train and assess Powerboat Advanced Instructors.
Validity	Appointed annually. After five years a practical revalidation is required.
RYA membership	Required

Related documents
Instructor observation form