Powerboating
In this section:
- Power Boat Training
- Refesher Training
- Simply Powerboating
Powerboat Training
We offer Powerboat Level 1 and 2 training throughout the year with several courses also for Safety Boat. Powerboat training can be from 14 years up but those under 16 will have their licences endorsed to say they can only operate the vessel under the supervision of an adult. Please contact either the principal or Chief Powerboat Instructor to discuss details.
If you want to drive a patrol boat during racing you must have a safety boat qualification and can usually only take that course after logging hours and reasonable experience typically after 2 years.
You can drive a club rib for RYA teaching (sailing) if you are a DI and hold PBL2. You can also drib a club rib during Simply Powerboating sessions with a PBL2 qualification. Indeed this is an excellent way to build hours to meet entry needs for Safety Boat courses.
Refresher Training
We understand that many SB qualified helms may not go powerboating often and get a bit rusty - we offer FREE safety boat refresher evenings and encourage all Safety Boat helms to consider joining one or more of these sessions a year. The sessions will be run by qualified SB Instructors but assume that you are confident in the boat as there will only be 1 instructor per group that may have 2 or more boats depending on demand. The refresher will concentrate on key safety boat skills and will include a debrief in the bar afterwards.
There are sessions planned so far on Tuesday 17th June at 1900, and Wednesday 2nd July at 1930.
You must be SB qualified helm and be willing to volunteer for Safety boat duty to take part.
Simply Powerboating
Simply Powerboating is being developed to enable members wanting to gain more experience in rib driving or just to have fun in the club ribs in company with other members. The aim will be to help lesser experience helms build hours and experience in a structured manner before possibly becoming Safety Boat helms that requires a SB course. Anyone interested should hold at least a PBL2 qualification or be accepted / approved by the chief Powerboat instructor.
The format will be 3-4 people per rib and upto 3 ribs cruising in company with a suitably experience or qualified instructor accompanying in one boat. We have a number of weekday evenings or daytime opportunities that will be made available for booking through the calendar in the usual way. The cost will be £25 per person and will include the use of the boat over a single tide, all running costs and fuel as well as the instructor.
Typical format for the day will vary but may include the following skill based activities
- MOB
- Anchoring
- Lee shore landing
- Anchoring off - and getting in without swimming
- Tying up alongside
- Towing
- Turning in a confined space
- Navigating by GPS
- Route planning and pilotage
- Pacing
The typical destinations that maybe included some over the bar activities and estuary destinations subject to weather and group decisions:
- Cleve
- Bideford
- Under the old bridge and towards Weare Gifford
- Skern
- Fairway Buoy
- Appledore Quay
- Crow Point
- Velator Quay
- Fremington Quay
- Heanton Court
- Rolle Quay
- Castle Quay
- Old Bridge and Rock Park
The whole idea and feel for the sessions will be informal, student led, with plans made on whatsapp beforehand. Lead helm will be a guide offering support, advice and reassurance rather than typical instruction. Remember this is a fun activity to get members on the water and build power boating skill and experience.
Proposed Date (provisional)
Monday 18th May - evening
Monday 8th June - mid day
Tuesday 16th June - evening
Wednesday 1st July - evening
Wednesday 15th July - evening
More dates can be added once we have gauged the enthusiasm for Simply powerboating. We are also happy to add all women boats if there is a demand.
Finally whilst this is aimed at PBL2 qualified members others may attend by agreement as crew only depending on the experience of the helms, but could be a good introduction to Powerboating. If this is you contact principal@ndyc.org or info@ndyc.org to discuss.
Before the opportunities become live - keep an eye out for information in the Newsletter or check back to these pages.
Last updated 11:38am on 2 June 2026