Build on your Level 2 skills with this two-day intermediate course in the Solent. Designed for boaters aiming to operate confidently in coastal waters by day, it focuses on advanced boat handling, pilotage, and passage planning. By the end, you’ll be capable of planning and completing short coastal passages safely while managing crew, speed, and conditions.
The course begins with a brief classroom session covering navigation principles, chartwork, tides, and electronic aids. This prepares you to plan coastal passages and understand the factors affecting navigation and boat handling.
On the water, you’ll practise planing-speed manoeuvres, berthing, mooring, and anchoring, along with applying pilotage techniques in real coastal conditions. You will also perform man overboard drills and emergency response exercises, enhancing safety awareness and decision-making.
Instruction is tailored to your experience and the type of boat you are using, whether planing or displacement. By the end of the course, you will have the confidence and competence to complete short coastal passages safely and efficiently during daylight hours, and be ready to progress to advanced training.
Training takes place in the Solent, which offers tidal waters, busy navigation channels, and varied coastal conditions ideal for developing intermediate-level skills. The area provides realistic passage planning and pilotage challenges while remaining safe and controlled.
Based in Hamble, students benefit from easy access to marinas, pontoons, and open waters. The location supports varied exercises, from planing-speed handling to anchoring and navigation, allowing learners to practise skills in conditions representative of real-world coastal boating.
Participants must already hold an RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate or demonstrate equivalent competence. Experience with planing or displacement powerboats and confidence navigating coastal waters during daylight is required.
While not mandatory, prior RYA First Aid, VHF/SRC Radio Operator’s certification, and knowledge to Day Skipper Theory level are strongly recommended. These qualifications enhance your ability to get the most from the course and ensure safety and proficiency in intermediate-level coastal boating.
Rob leads all courses with extensive global sailing and powerboating experience. His hands-on, approachable teaching style ensures students receive tailored guidance while building confidence in realistic conditions.
The training combines structured theory with practical, on-water experience. With Rob’s guidance, participants gain recognised certification, develop competent coastal boating skills, and leave ready to manage longer passages safely and independently.
The course is for powerboaters who have completed Level 2 or have equivalent experience and want to gain competence in coastal waters by day. It is suitable for recreational and professional candidates seeking intermediate-level skills.
Participants will build on previous knowledge, practising navigation, planing-speed handling, passage planning, and emergency responses in realistic coastal conditions. The aim is to prepare learners for independent, safe operation and progression to advanced powerboating.
You will develop skills in coastal passage planning, pilotage, planing-speed boat handling, anchoring, berthing, mooring, and emergency procedures including man overboard drills.
Theory sessions provide guidance on tides, charts, electronic navigation, collision regulations, and safety management. The combination ensures you can make informed decisions and operate safely in real-world coastal environments.
Holding an RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate or equivalent competence is required. Prior completion of First Aid and VHF/SRC certification, or Day Skipper Theory knowledge, is recommended but not mandatory.
These prerequisites ensure participants have the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to fully benefit from intermediate-level training. Those without them may still enrol but should be aware additional guidance may be needed.
Participants must be at least 16 years old. This ensures candidates have the maturity and physical ability to manage boat handling and coastal navigation tasks safely.
You should also have experience handling planing or displacement boats in coastal waters during daylight. The course is not suitable for total beginners without Level 2 experience.
The course runs over two full days and blends practical, on-water exercises with classroom theory. Each day is structured to maximise hands-on learning while supporting it with navigation and safety principles.
Practical training includes coastal passage planning, planing-speed manoeuvres, berthing, mooring, anchoring, and emergency drills, while theory covers tides, charts, electronic navigation, and collision regulations.
Yes, training can be delivered on a planing or displacement vessel that you own. This helps you gain confidence in familiar conditions and on your own equipment.
Using your own boat allows practical exercises to be directly applicable to your recreational or professional activities, providing the opportunity to practise intermediate skills in a relevant context.
Training takes place in the Solent, offering tidal waters, busy channels, and coastal navigation challenges. Conditions vary to provide realistic scenarios for coastal passage planning, pilotage, and planing-speed handling.
The varied environment allows you to develop skills in manoeuvring, emergency response, anchoring, and decision-making while still remaining in a safe, supervised setting.
Yes, successful participants receive the RYA Powerboat Level 3 (Intermediate) certificate. This demonstrates competence in coastal powerboating by day and readiness for more advanced courses.
The certificate also forms part of the pathway to the RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate, giving recognition of practical and theoretical skills gained during the course.
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About the centre
Hamble-le-Rice, Southampton
Operated by Associated Marine Training / AMT Boat Experiences Ltd, a partner of adventuro.
Somerset and Dorset, United Kingdom
From £480
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From £520
From £89
Hampshire and Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
From £1895
