What to wear power boating: RIB rides, courses, and spray days
11 August 2026 - 5 min read
Power boating covers everything from a gentle wildlife RIB tour to a full-throttle coastal blast and an RYA Powerboat Level 2 course. What you wear changes with the boat and the weather, but one rule holds: assume spray, wind, and a temperature drop the moment you leave the harbour.
This guide covers what to wear for power boating in the UK: passenger RIB trips, sightseeing tours, and hands-on training days.
On a RIB briefing, the skipper will point at the spray line on the tube. Sit below it if you want to stay drier; the bow and windward side get hit first when the sea picks up.
What the operator usually provides
On a passenger RIB tour like the RIB tour to explore Puffin Island (from £35), the operator supplies the boat, life jackets, and often waterproof splash jackets and trousers for passengers. You still wear sensible layers underneath and bring a change of clothes if you want to stay comfortable after.
On an RYA powerboat course such as RYA Powerboat Level 2 in North Wales (from £291.50), you are driving as well as riding. Expect a detailed kit list from the school: waterproofs, non-slip shoes, and warm layers are standard.
Always read the listing's "what to bring" section. Do not assume the centre loans full offshore kit unless it says so.
Passenger RIB tours: what to wear underneath
| Layer | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Base | Wicking tee or thermal top (not cotton) |
| Mid | Fleece or softshell, easy to zip under a splash jacket |
| Legs | Quick-dry trousers or leggings; shorts only on hot calm days |
| Feet | Trainers or deck shoes; sandals only if the operator allows |
| Outer | Operator's waterproofs on top, or your own if you have them |
| Extras | Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen; gloves in spring/autumn |
Even on a wildlife tour at displacement speed, wind chill matters. Sitting on a RIB tube for an hour in a damp t-shirt is colder than walking the same distance ashore.
Hands-on powerboat courses
When you are on the wheel, you need freedom to move and grip on a wet deck.
- Waterproof jacket and trousers: sailing-style or offshore oilskins if the school specifies
- Non-slip, closed-toe shoes: deck shoes or trainers with good tread
- Gloves: thin sailing or powerboat gloves help with cold and wheel grip
- Buoyancy aid: usually supplied; wear it properly fastened
- Notebook and theory materials: shore sessions are part of most RYA courses
Bring a dry bag for phone and car keys. Spray finds pockets.
Life jackets: fit and wear
Passenger tours issue life jackets or buoyancy aids before launch. Put them on fully fastened, not slung loose. You should fit two fingers under the shoulder strap, no more. If you are taking a child, ask the operator about child-sized kit when you book.
Do not substitute your own inflatable belt unless the operator approves it. Commercial boats follow specific safety rules.
Season and sea state
Calm summer harbour trip: lighter layers, but still pack a windproof. Evening tours cool quickly.
Open-coast RIB: treat it like cold-water boating: full waterproofs, warm mid layer, hat.
Winter or shoulder season: thermal base, fleece, waterproofs, gloves. Operators may shorten or reschedule in bad weather; that is normal.
What not to wear
- Jeans and cotton hoodies: heavy when damp, cold in wind
- Loose scarves or long untied coats: snag risk near lines and hardware
- High heels or flip-flops: unsafe on wet decks and pontoons
- Only a t-shirt because the forecast said 18°C: water temperature and wind chill are lower than the car park
After the trip
Pack a towel and dry change in the car, especially on splashier rides. Hair and shoes will get salt or lake water on coastal and estuary trips.
Common mistakes
- Refusing the centre's waterproofs because it looks sunny. You will want them ten minutes out, especially on the windward tube.
- No sunglasses retainer: losing a pair overboard is expensive
- Underdressing children: kids cool faster; layer them like you would yourself, then add one more layer
Ready to book
Wildlife RIB tours are the softest entry: sit back, dress warm, enjoy the coast. RYA courses are for when you want to drive boats yourself.
Browse power boating → · Pair a Menai Strait trip with our North Wales activities guide.
More kit guides: hiking · paddleboarding · kayaking · sailing
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FAQs
Do RIB tours provide waterproofs?
Often yes for passenger sightseeing trips. Splash jackets and trousers are common. Confirm on the listing or with the operator before you travel.
What should I wear on an RYA powerboat course?
Expect waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, non-slip shoes, and gloves in cooler months. The school will send a kit list. Follow it.
Can I wear a dress on a boat trip?
Practical clothing is better: trousers or leggings, stable shoes, layers. Dresses and loose fabric are awkward with life jackets and spray.
Will I get wet on a powerboat?
Assume yes. Spray, rain, and boarding from a pontoon all add moisture. Waterproofs and quick-dry layers underneath are the answer.
Are crocs OK for power boating?
Not ideal. They are slippery when wet and offer little foot protection. Closed-toe shoes with grip are safer on deck.
Does where I sit on the RIB change what I should wear?
Yes. The bow and windward tube take more spray. On a wildlife tour at slow speed you stay drier aft; on a fast coastal run, full waterproofs matter everywhere. Ask the crew where to sit if you are nervous about spray.