Powerboats
Powerboat courses use small powerboat which allow participants to learn the necessary driving skills and knowledge about equipment, seamanship, navigation and weather. Participants can leverage the Start Powerboating certificate to apply for the powerboat licence (it applies to some States in Australia only).
Learn boating safety, skills & equipment
Gain knowledge on navigation & weather
Experienced instructors
Enjoy the outdoors
Powerboat courses are also beneficial if not required for people wanting to assist in club events or desire to be an instructor, coach or official.
Learn Powerboating and expand your opportunities to explore Australia's amazing waterways!
Read the overview of all available Powerboat courses and choose the one that suits you best!
| Program | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Start Powerboating | This course introduces practical driving skills, trip planning, boat maintenance, safety equipment and dealing with emergency situations. | FIND A COURSE |
| Powerboat Handling | This course is designed to improve boat handling skills, especially in confined areas such as Marinas and in swell and waves and develop knowledge about engines, types of craft, and practice navigation techniques. | FIND A COURSE |
| Safetyboat Operator | This course provides the skills needed to support water based activities at clubs, schools and outdoor recreation centres. It focuses on race course design and on-water rescue methods of dinghies and multi-hulls. | FIND A COURSE |
There are three different courses of the powerboat program on the Sailing Pathway.
Start Powerboating
Your powerboating pathway begins here introducing practical driving skills, trip planning, boat maintenance, safety equipment and dealing with emergency situations. Following the course you will have sufficient skills and knowledge to skipper a small powerboat.
Powerboat Handling
This one-day course is designed to improve your boat handling skills, especially in confined areas such as Marinas and in swell and waves. You will also learn more about engines and types of craft, and practice navigation techniques on a passage.
Safety Boat Operator
This course provides the skills needed to support water based activities at clubs, schools and outdoor recreation centres. Over 12 hours you’ll learn about race course design, practice on-water rescue of dinghies and multi-hulls, and even get an awareness of techniques to support kite surfers and kayaks.
The lower age limit for training is 12 years old, however Australian Sailing recommends anyone under the age of 16 to be under the supervision of an adult when operating a powerboat.
The Start Powerboating course is designed to meet the National competencies for boat licensing and as such is well recognised throughout Australia.
Contact your State Maritime for more information on licensing.