Powerboat Courses | Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club

Learn to drive a powerboat with skill and practical experience . . .

Looking to gain a powerboat licence?

The best way to gain your boat licence while gaining valuable practical powerboat operating skills is through the NCYC Sailing Academy’s powerboating courses.

Australian Sailing’s National Powerboat Program offers a range of courses from beginner through to advanced. The courses are aimed at people with a desire to own and/or be in charge of a recreational powerboat, teaching practical skills to safely operate the vessel.

You will gain the knowledge and skill to safely handle a recreational powerboat through practical training from a knowledgeable, patient and qualified Australian Sailing Powerboat Instructor. Don’t compromise your safety or that of your passengers – make sure you complete practical on-water training under the guidance of skilled instructors.

Book a Boat Licence course today!

Start Powerboating

Powerboat Handling

Safety Boat Operator

To obtain your boat licence

Private Lessons

Start Powerboating

START POWERBOATING (NSW Boat Licence)

Level 1 – Beginner knowledge & skill

You are able to apply for your NSW Boat Licence once you have successfully completed the Australian Sailing Start Powerboating course.

The Start Powerboating course is an ideal introductory boating course offering both theory and practical on-water boat handling instruction.

Before the course you will be issued with a participant pack that includes some pre-course learning. The rest of the course is spent on the water driving our training powerboat. Learning the correct pre-launch checks, start up and low speed manuovers. We then move onto docking, man overboard and high speed planning. Throughout the day we will teach you how to plan a Powerboating trip to finish off your hands on practical assessment. Along the way you will pick up on all the tricks and tips to be a safe, diligent and confident Powerboater.

The Start Powerboating course is recognised by NSW Roads & Maritime as an approved boat training course. Successful completion will allow students to apply for their General Boat Licence without further testing or logbooks (Govt. fees apply).

The full-day (8-hour) course is conducted from 8:30am to 4:30pm with the theory component conducted in the clubhouse first, before heading on water mid-morning in the club’s various safety support boats for the afternoon practical session. Your instructor will lead you though the nationally recognised syllabus and sign off the relevant sections once completed successfully. On completion of the syllabus you will receive an electronic Certificate of Completion.

Cost:

$350 per person

NCYC Member Discounts: General 10% and Crew Members 5%. Please use the discount codes upon registration. Minimum of 2 people, maximum of 4

Course cost includes:

‘National Powerboat Handbook’ text book and Australian Sailing log book
Additional reference materials and case studies
Use of the Club’s support boats during the course
Tuition by Australian Sailing qualified Powerboat Instructors

Pre requisites:

No practical experience is required to attend the course however participants are required to complete some pre-reading and successfully complete the online General Boat Knowledge Quiz prior to the start of the course. Please print the final results page of the quiz and bring with you to the course.

Age Requirement:

The lower age limit for training is 12 years old, however Australian Sailing recommends anyone under the age of 16 years to be under the supervision of an adult when operating a powerboat.

Training Location:

Our courses are conducted on the waters of Newcastle Harbour. The variety of wind & sea conditions and myriad of navigational markers on this busy waterway provides an outstanding training environment.

Powerboat Handling

POWERBOAT HANDLING

Level 2 – Advance Boat Driving Skills

Designed for people with previous powerboat skills to develop key concepts to efficiently and safely manoeuvre a powerboat in more challenging conditions and situations.

This course is designed to improve boat handling skills, especially in confined areas such as Marinas and in swell & waves and develop greater knowledge about engines, types of craft, and practice navigation techniques.

Before the course you will be issued with a participant pack that includes some pre-course learning. The rest of the course is spent on the water driving our training powerboat. Learning the correct pre-departure checks, understanding hull shapes and their handling characteristics, and a developing stronger skills for both low & high speed manuovers. We then move onto steering skills in swell and waves, man overboard and towing skills. Throughout the day we will teach you how to plan a Powerboating trip to finish off your hands on practical assessment. Along the way you will pick up on all the tricks and tips to be a safe, diligent and confident Powerboater.

This course level is required for all Australian Sailing dinghy and windsurfing instructors.

Cost:

$350 per person

NCYC Member Discounts: General 10% and Crew Members 5%. Please use the discount codes upon registration. Minimum of 2 people, maximum of 4

Course cost includes:

Focused time on-water extending practical skills
8-hours instruction from an experienced qualified instructor
Use of the Club’s support boats during the course
Tuition by Australian Sailing qualified Powerboat Instructors

Pre requisites:

Course participants will build on their skills and knowledge already acquired either through completion of the Start Powerboating course, or through holding a state General Boat Licence.

Age Requirement:

The lower age limit for training is 12 years old, however Australian Sailing recommends anyone under the age of 16 years to be under the supervision of an adult when operating a powerboat.

Training Location:

Safety Boat Operator

SAFETY BOAT OPERATOR

Level 3 – Specific Support & Rescue Skills

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To obtain your boat licence

TO OBTAIN YOUR BOAT LICENCE

The Start Powerboating course is designed to meet the National competencies for boat licencing, and as such is well recognised throughout Australia.

Roads & Maritime NSW acknowledge the Australian Sailing Start Powerboating certificate and this may be submitted for the granting of a NSW General Boat Licence without the need for further testing or logbook hours.

NSW boat licence applicants who complete an Australian Sailing powerboat course will need to:

Fill in a NSW Roads & Maritime Services ‘Application for Boat Driving Licence’ form – supplied with your course pack
Attend a Service NSW branch in person and compete vision screening
Present proof of identity
Submit your Australian Sailing Certificate of Completion
Pay the licence fee.

The licence fee options can be found on the Service NSW website. Please note you are not required to sit or pay for the Knowledge Test.

Private Lessons

PRIVATE POWERBOAT LESSONS

Private lessons are available and can be arranged at a time and date that suits you, provided the required course hours are completed.

The lessons will provide direct 1:1 tuition from our experienced and highly skilled powerboat instructor.

Private Start Powerboating

Course requires 8 hours

Mid-week – $450

Weekend – $520

Private Start Powerboating & Powerboat Handling (combined)

Course requires 12 hours

Mid-week – $620

Weekend – $730

To book your private powerboating course, please contact our Sailing Office 4940 8188 or [email protected] to discuss your preferred dates.

Powerboat Course Dates & Times

We are able to offer opportunities to gain further powerboat driving experience by assisting with powerboat support to the Sailing Academy’s activities. There are opportunities available on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 3:15pm to 6:15pm during school term times. Other opportunities may be available upon request.

Contact Us:
For more information, contact the Sailing Academy today!
(02) 4940 8188
[email protected]