More than a course book: your complete guide to a better day afloat

Powerboating is about much more than simply driving a boat.

There's the anticipation of deciding where to go, checking the weather and tides, choosing what to wear, preparing the boat and working out the best route. Then there's the moment you leave the slipway or launch ramp, building confidence at the helm, navigating your way around the day's challenges and, eventually, return safely to shore. 

The new RYA Powerboat Handling handbook is designed around the complete experience.

The new book takes a fresh, scenario-based approach to powerboating. Rather than treating boat handling, navigation and preparation as separate subjects, it brings them together as they happen in the real world, helping boaters understand not just what to do, but how those skills fit together during a day afloat.

From the first decision to the final mooring

The book follows a typical day on the water from beginning to end.
 
It starts before the engine is even switched on: what to wear, how to prepare the boat, what to consider when planning a trip and how to make sensible decisions based on the conditions and the boat you are using.

Once underway, the focus moves naturally through practical boat handling and simple, entry-level navigation. Readers can build their understanding of manoeuvring, awareness and decision-making while seeing how these skills apply in realistic situations.

And the day doesn't end when the boat comes back alongside.

Returning to shore, recovering or securing the boat and looking after it afterwards are all part of being a capable powerboater, and the new handbook reflects that.

Powerboating for real life

One of the biggest changes is the breadth of boats and boating experiences the book is intended to support.
 
Powerboating doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. It might mean heading out in a sports boat for a day with friends, taking a small fishing boat along the coast, exploring in a dory, launching a trailer boat for the weekend or simply enjoying time on the water in a family powerboat.

The principles of preparation, awareness, navigation and boat handling apply across all of them.

That makes the new handbook useful well beyond the classroom. It is designed not only for people working towards an RYA qualification, but for anyone who wants to develop their understanding and get more from their time afloat.

Building capable, confident boaters

Good boat handling isn't just about making the boat go where you want it to go. It's about understanding what the boat is doing, anticipating what might happen next and making informed decisions.

Likewise, navigation isn't simply about following a route. It's about knowing where you are, where you're going and what you need to consider along the way.

By bringing these skills together within realistic scenarios, the new RYA Powerboat Handling handbook aims to help boaters become more capable and confident, with the knowledge to plan their day, handle their boat and enjoy being afloat.

Whether you're preparing for your first powerboat course or have already spent years at the helm, it offers a practical way to look at the whole experience of powerboating afresh.

Available Now – Available as an eBook or hard copy.

Also included in the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course.