This is a 4-6 hour training exercise for powerboaters with only a little experience or who have perhaps already done their Level 2. This is not a RYA recognised course with individual certificate, but is rather designed to give you the basic skills and knowledge to start safely finding your way at night, organise your boat and crew, enter and leave harbours using pilotage, use lights and buoys at night and use the electronic and traditional tools to ensure that you are where you think you are.
This exercise will be led by a RYA Instructor and all night hours and
sea miles will be signed off and stamped / validated in your RYA Logbook.
The sea at night is a completely different world. Even experienced boaters can quickly become disorientated or victims of Confirmation Bias.
This night training exercise is an opportunity for you to take control of a powerboat at night, and to work together with a team, to get out of harbour, navigate, fix your position using charts and electronics, arrive at destination and get back again - all whilst using lights, buoys & identifying and avoiding other vessels - and much more besides.
This is a good fun and exciting training exercise, but with a serious side - there will be a max of 3 persons, led by a RYA/MCA Advanced / Yachtmaster Commercial Instructor.
The exercise starts 60 minutes before sunset, with a classroom briefing session and overview of lights, buoyage, colregs, other vessels, charts & personal safety.
Image: ScotSail® PowerBoats
Tea / Coffee & Biscuits
are provided on-board.
On-board we will be using traditional and electronic means to fix our position, navigate, identify shipping and other traffic, and work together as a team to execute more challenging approaches at night time.
Experience using leading lights, compass and clearing bearings - as well as explore other techniques like how to follow the depth contours on charts to keep out of danger in restricted visibility.
You will use more advanced features of GPS, and explore the functions and limitations of Radar and AIS as aids to your S.A. (Situational Awareness).
Image: Kayarchy.co.uk
Booking in advance with the £49pp Deposit is advised to ensure that you get the dates you want.
With our Refund Guarantee you can cancel for a full refund or change dates at any time up until 28 days prior, without any penalty.
1. Planning & Night Safety
6. Confirmation Bias
2. Equipment & Clothing
7. Lights & Buoys
3. Keeping A Watch
8. Fixing Your Position
4. GPS, Radar & AIS
9. Night Pilotage
5. Situational Awareness
10. Departing & Arriving
Challenge Scale:
Recommended Pre-Course Experience:
Recommended to have RYA Level 2 PowerBoat or equivalent experience.
These 4-6-Hour Night Exercises run on selected weekday and weekend evenings, 12 months a year. There are occasionally special-offers available for the last remaining spaces on a date.
The exercise will start at ScotSail® @ Largs Yacht Haven around 60 minutes prior to sunset.
There may be free accommodation options we can offer you on board the boat or at our centre, if you do not wish to drive home immediately after returning. Please ask.
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The night cruising exercise will be conducted in the vicinity of Largs Yacht Haven, Rothesay Kyles of Bute, Portavadie Marina, Largs Channel, Skelmorlie Channel, Hunterston Channel, Great Cumbrae Island, Millport Bay and connected areas.
A typical course or experience, be it a week will entail leaving our centre at Largs Yacht Haven and travelling to another port or harbour to make an approach and entry at night, staying for something to eat/drink, then returing during hours of darkness, whilst using lights and signals to navigation and keep the vessel safe.
You and your crew will be completely involved in the decisions about where to travel to - and how to get there. This is all part of the course, is vital learning and all part of the fun!
Welcome to ScotSail® PowerBoating... 2 Days RYA Power Boating Courses from £229pp!
Only £49 Deposit to Secure a Space, With Balances Due 28-Days Prior to Arrival.
It's Just £49 Deposit to reserve a place on any 2 Day RYA Power Boating Course with ScotSail® - it's 2 Nights inc RYA Tuition, Certification, All Safety Equipment, Lunches, Certification, Handbook and Free Secure Parking at our dedicted Largs Yacht Haven or Loch Lomond centres.
...the essential safety exercise 
