Located in our own quayside building in the centre of Christchurch, easily reached by motorway, rail or air, our RYA powerboat training centre is equiped with the latest equipment. Close to the Solent and the Dorset Jurassic Coast, we make your training experience fun as well as instructive, including planned sea passages to ports on the Isle of Wight whenever conditions permit.
If you want an experience to remember as well as your RYA Powerboat qualification and ICC, then this is the powerboat training centre for you!
Throughout the Spring/Summer season, every year we run a series of adventures using our advanced, sea-going RIBS. These range from a single day circumnavigating the Isle of Wight visiting several historic ports to week long trips down the south Coast to Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly. These adventures are ideal for families who enjoy boating or for people wishing to gain experience of navigation to distant ports or building miles.
Check out our adventure panel at the top right of this page to see what´s coming up.
Our bespoke and RYA powerboat courses cover everything from close quarters manoeuvering in harbours and marinas, through high speed handling in both rough and flat waters to off-shore navigation and journey planning.
Whatever your experience, our powerboat courses can help you get more from your boat and do it more safely.
Our onshore RYA powerboat training centre is complete with state of the art presentation systems and a relaxation area for tea and coffee.
Our RYA VHF courses use the latest radios from several manufacturers and our RYA Powerboat Diesel Maintenance courses provide hands on experience in the classroom and boatyard with real installations.
Our bargain gift voucher scheme proved very popular last year, and we are pleased to run the scheme again for the 2013 poweboat training season. They make the perfect gift for those who like fun-orientated outward bound adventure as well as serving to educate enthusiasts of all ages new to powerboating.
2013 Big Adventure
Every year we offer invite our customers to join us on a Powerboat Big Adventure. These courses are designed to allow powerboaters and would-be powerboaters to experience what it is like to plan and make longer journeys by sea, equiping them to get more from their own boats.
The big adventure in 2013 is to join the round Ireland RIB Challenge. This 1,000nm endurance challenge is to be run over 10 days and leaves from Milford Haven (Wales) on the 26th July 2013. Saltwater is entering two boats and we have four places available for you to join us on this exciting, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
More details will be published shortly in the "Big Adventure" section of this website. The guideline cost for participants will be £2,650.00 plus overnight accommodation costs.
For those that cannot afford the time for the Big Adventure, we offer bespoke ‘experience days’ designed to build on the RYA powerboat training and to meet the requirements of our customers. This gives groups of three or four people the chance to develop their seamanship skills aboard one of our 7.2m or 9.0m Arctic Blue RIB’s.
Read more/lessTo find out what makes us the best choice for your powerboat training, click on each of the pictures below in turn:

Powerboating is enjoyed by many as one of the most exhilarating and invigorating hobbies around. Powerboat training allows owners and enthusiasts to gain more from their experience. The skills learnt through our powerboat courses here at Saltwater Experience will not only provide you with the skills necessary to handle your boat in harbours and out at sea, but install a new level of confidence to allow you to explore and venture out further than you did before.
The RYA powerboat level 2 course is suitable for absolute beginners as well as existing boat users and one of the key reasons behind its success lies in it being so practically orientated. With over 70% of the course carried out at sea, those who embark upon the powerboat level 2 scheme can expect to learn key skills such as manoeuvres, high speed handling and off-shore navigation. Through practice we aim to make you comfortable handling your boat during difficult situations, teaching you valuable skills you can put to use regularly.
All of our powerboat courses are carried out by a qualified RYA instructor. Our aim is to share as much knowledge as possible with you during the two day course. Our extensive experience in powerboating along with our enthusiasm for it always rubs off on our students and we strive to make the course as interesting and entertaining as we can. As with all our training, during the RYA powerboat level 2, we monitor your progress along the way and focus on your individual areas for improvement to make sure you get as much out of the course as possible.
As one of the most well recognised powerboat licenses providers, the RYA powerboat training is recognised across the world as well as by most insurance providers. Those who complete the course will also be eligible to go on to apply for an International Certificate of Competence to drive powerboats of up to 10m (33ft) in length without the need for further training or examination. You’ll also benefit from using state of the art boats and equipment.
As well as competitively priced powerboat licenses, we also provide experience days as well as our annual Big Adventure. Designed to give budding adventurers a taste of the open sea, previous trips have taken us to new destinations around the world and this years’ event sees us circumnavigate Ireland and travel from Christchurch to the Scilly Isles in July visiting various beautiful Cornish locations along the way. The trip also involves the opportunity to experience new surroundings and meet new people so book early to avoid disappointment.
Read lessClick here to check out our Last Minute Deals
NEW!:
Night Navigation experience. Three hours night navigation theory and preparation and a night time journey visiting two ports. Weekdays two consecutive evenings. Weekends one afternoon and evening. Call for details
RYA Powerboat 2 deals:
Book an RYA Powerboat 2 course for two people for £245.00 each
Book an RYA Powerboat 2 Course for three people for £210.00 each
Frequently asked:
How do I get a Powerboat license and do I need one to rent a boat while on holiday abroad? - click and scroll down
Call 0800 0786 176 to discuss your boating needs or choose your course and check future availability in our calendar
Round Ireland RIB Challenge
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Saltwater Experience Power Boats
Rossiters Quay
Bridge Street
Christchurch
BH23 1DZ
Tel: 0800 0786 176
Principal: David Waldron
Chief Instructor: Lloyd James