RYA Powerboat level 1
Start powerboatingRYA Powerboat Level 1 is a one-day course designed to give you a practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats.
RYA powerboat courses are aimed at drivers of small powered craft such as sports boats and RIBs, that don’t generally undertake long or offshore passages.
Quick facts
Here’s a summary of what you need to know.
RYA Powerboat Level 1 Certificate
Boat handling skills & safety
The course lasts one full day (8 hours)
You’ll spend most of the day out on the water
Maximum 3 students per course
With only 3 students, lots of individual coaching!
Book 1 or 2 places on an open course
Or choose rental with tuition
Drive RIBs or hard sided powerboats
Our Quicksilver 5.5 Open Activ “La Rubia”
The details
Click on the tabs for more detailed information.
RYA powerboat courses are aimed at drivers of small powered craft such as sports boats and RIBs, that don’t generally undertake long or offshore passages.
RYA Powerboat Level 1 (Start Powerboating) is a one-day course designed to give you a practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats under 10 metres in length. The course lasts 8 hours and is taught in small groups with a maximum of three students.
You can choose to complete the course either as part of an open group or you can rent a boat for the day and complete the course with family and friends. You can also choose to run this course on your own boat.
Open groups
With an open group booking, you book a place on a course and we’ll admit up to a maximum of three students onto that same course. This is the most economical option if there are less than 3 participants; however, it’s also the least flexible option if your availability is limited. The price of a seat on an open course includes fuel and mooring fees away from our base.
Price per person in an open group: 250€
During July and August, we publish regular course dates and you can book the course directly online. For the rest of the year, we schedule courses in accordance with the availability of students interested in the course.
Rental with tuition
With this option, you rent a powerboat from us and we provide the instructor and teaching materials. This option gives you the maximum flexibility in terms of dates and the kind of boat we’ll use in training (subject to availability). As with any charter, you’re responsible for paying the fuel for the boat.Price of rental with tuition: from 595€ (price includes boat, tuition, materials and RYA certificates)
To calculate the cost of your pack, choose the boat you want to rent and add 350€
Own boat tuition
If you already own a powerboat, or if you have a friend who owns a boat, we’re more than happy to run your Powerboat level 1 course on your own boat.Price of own boat tuition for this course: 350€ (price includes tuition, materials and RYA certificates)
What’s included
Your RYA Powerboat Level 1 course with The Boat School includes:
RYA Powerboat Level 1 certificate
Use of lightweight inflatable life jackets
Cold water on the boat
Fuel and mooring fees (open groups only)
10% discount on future rentals for selected boats
What’s not included
Meals are not included.
Practical skills, including…
Launching and recovery
Preparation of boat and crew
Boat handling
Picking up and securing to a buoy
Leaving and coming alongside
& just the right amount of theory, including…
Loading and balancing the boat
Local byelaws and insurance
The Rules of the Road (IRPCS)
What to do if a person falls overboard
The course lasts 1 full day. We start at 09.00 and finish at 18.00 with a break for lunch between 13.00 and 14.00.
The minimum age for this course is 8. Young people under the age of 12 will be issued with a certificate stating that they should only drive powered craft under the supervision of a responsible adult on board the craft. Candidates under the age of 16 will be issued with a certificate endorsed “Not to be in charge of a powerboat unless under the supervision of a responsible adult”. Please note that we only run this course for under 16’s if the parent or guardian is taking the course at the same time.
You won’t need a medical certificate but you should be in reasonable physical shape.
The RYA Powerboat Level 1 course is an introduction to boating and a great day out for the family; however, it is not really a skipper’s licence to drive a boat without a more qualified person on board.
Spanish law does allow charter companies to rent small craft to UK nationals or residents in possession of the RYA Powerboat Level 1 licence but you will probably need to demonstrate that you can handle the boat before they let you take it out on your own. At the Boat School, our policy is only to rent our boats to graduates of this course if they have demonstrated their ability to handle a boat.
If you’re a UK national and you’re thinking of going out regularly or even buying a boat, we strongly suggest that you skip RYA Powerboat Level 1 and go straight to Powerboat Level 2.
Book your RYA Powerboat level 1
250€ per person or from 185€ with rentalWith The Boat School, you can choose to book your RYA Powerboat level 1 course in an open group, rent a powerboat and get training on the boat you hire or even run the course on your own boat.
Rental with Course Pack or Own Boat tuition
The Powerboat level 1 Own Boat / Rental option gives you maximum flexibility whether you’re looking for a small group (up to 3 students) or you want one-to-one training. You can choose between:
Renting a powerboat and doing the course on this boat
Running a course on your own boat
Rental with Tuition
& Own Boat Tuition
Book a place in an open group
If you choose to book a place on an open group, we’ll put a maximum of three people on your course. Please complete the form below and we’ll get back to you with dates.
Ready to book? Got any questions?
During the Summer months, our training calendar offers courses every week. From September through to June, we plan courses based on the availability of students.
If you’re interested in a Powerboat course with The Boat School, please complete the form below and we’ll get back to you.
Or give us a call on 00 34 639 20 22 97
We’ll talk you through the options in English or Spanish.
The Boat School
Recognized by the Royal Yachting Association to conduct Powerboat Training, Sail Cruising courses in the Yachtmaster (sail) scheme and Shorebased (theory) courses.
Recognized by the Spanish Directorate General for Merchant Shipping, the Comunidad Valenciana and the Region of Murcia to conduct sail, motor, powerboat and VHF training.

Operational Base Denia
Edificio H, Marina de Dénia Darsena de babor s/n 03700 · Denía · Spain
Office Tel. 0034 639 20 22 97
Madrid Office
Greenwich Náutica C/ Marqués de Lema 28003 · Madrid · Spain
Tel. 0034 91 456 0273