Powerboat Courses

Powerboat program

Welcome to the Alfreds

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

Powerboat Training Courses

Welcome to the Alfred’s Powerboat Training Program.

RPAYC offers a simple training pathway for participants wanting to learn how to drive a powerboat to support club sailing activities. This program will provide you with the necessary skills for the safe use of small powerboats, including the equipment to be carried, knowledge of seamanship, navigation and weather.

Training is delivered by Australian Sailing (AS) accredited powerboat instructors following a national syllabus.

Powerboat Handling Course

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 learn more about engines and types of crafts and practise navigation techniques on a passage. In some instances, you can take your completion certificate to your State Maritime Regulator and gain the State Boat License. 

This course is designed for participants who wish to further develop their powerboat driving skills. This course is also a prerequisite for becoming a Dinghy and/or Windsurfing Instructor.

Pre-requisite experience: Water confident. The skills and knowledge gained in Start Powerboating or equivalent power boating experience.

RPAYC member fee*
$160.00

Non-member fee
$200.00

*To be eligible for the ‘Member Discounted Fee’, the participating ‘Member’ is required to be financial for the current financial year (through to end of April).

Course dates for 2024 TBC.

Send an expression of interest to the RPAYC Sailing Office via sailtraining@rpayc.com.au

Safety Boat Operator Course

This course provides the skills needed to support sailing club activities as a Safety Boat Operator and crew. You will learn about racecourse design and support management protocols, boat handling techniques, mark laying, towing, and the recovery of dinghies and high-performance craft.

This course is designed for participants who wish to support their Sailing Club as a support boat for either racing or learn to sail courses. This course is also a prerequisite for becoming a Sailing Coach.

Pre-requisite experience:

RPAYC member fee*
$160.00

Non-member fee
$200.00

*To be eligible for the ‘Member Discounted Fee’, the participating ‘Member’ is required to be financial for the 2022 / 23 Membership Season (through until 30th April).

Course dates for 2024 TBC.

Send an expression of interest to the RPAYC Sailing Office via sailtraining@rpayc.com.au

How to register for an Australian Sailing course at RPAYC...

To register for all sailing courses at RPAYC, you will need an Australian Sailing number. This is your unique identifier that recognises you as a member and/or course participant. If you already have an Australian Sailing number, you can look it up here. If you do not have one, then there is an option to begin registration for an Australian Sailing number when registering for a course or Discover Sailing experience for the first time (follow the links via course registration). 

Once registered, you will receive a number, a username and an online profile. The benefits of this include being able to enrol in any national sailing courses, register for a ‘SailPass’, and to keep a record of your memberships, courses and qualifications. 

rpayc discover sailing australian sailing

Volunteer at RPAYC

At the heart of every Club are its volunteers.  The Club’s sailing program continues to excel with the enthusiasm and commitment from our volunteers. The ability to continue to deliver a first class and diverse sailing program depends very much on the assistance and support of volunteers. 

Whether it is volunteering on water or on land with a Club Committee, there is a task for you. Various roles are required on a weekly basis including;

  • Race Officer
  • Scribes
  • Flag operators
  • Committee Vessel Boat Driver – Alfreds I and Alfreds II (the operator must be a Club Member)
  • Mark Layer / Support boat – Club ribs (the operator must be a Club Member)
  • Marshallers
  • Dolly/Launch Marshals
  • First aiders