£295 on your own boat or £395 on our school boat.

RYA Motor Boat Berthing Course – docking and close-quarters handling

Motorboat Berthing Skills Course - Image 3

Enders Endeavour Beneteau Swift 41 Day Charter 14 m

RYA Certified Training Courses

Motorboat Berthing Skills Course

From £295.00

The Motorboat Berthing Skills Course is a practical, hands-on training day designed to help boaters gain confidence and control when manoeuvring in marinas. Whether you’re new to handling a motorboat in confined spaces or looking to refine your technique, this course focuses entirely on improving your skills in real-world conditions.

Training can take place on our school boat or your own vessel in your marina, providing a highly personalised learning experience. It’s also ideal as a refresher for boaters returning to the water or preparing for a charter holiday.

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Course Overview & What You’ll Learn

This one-day Motorboat Berthing Skills Course is designed to improve your confidence, precision and decision-making when manoeuvring in marinas and confined spaces. The focus is entirely on practical techniques, with plenty of time spent practising under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

What You’ll Learn

Berthing Techniques

Approaching and leaving pontoons and berths
Techniques for different marina layouts and docking situations

Wind and Current Management

Understanding how wind and tide affect boat handling
Adjusting approach techniques for varying conditions

Use of Lines and Fenders

Correct placement and use of fenders
Effective use of lines to control the boat during berthing

Communication and Crew Coordination

Clear communication between helm and crew
Assigning roles to make berthing calm and controlled

Problem Solving

Handling common berthing challenges
Recovering from mistakes safely and confidently

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for a wide range of boaters who want to improve their confidence and ability when berthing a motorboat.

Ideal for:

New boaters building confidence in marinas
Experienced boaters refining their technique
Returning boaters looking for a practical refresher
Individuals or families preparing for a charter holiday
Boat owners wanting tuition on their own vessel

Experience Required & Entry Requirements

No formal qualification is required to enrol in this course. However, participants should have some prior experience handling a motorboat under power.

Recommended experience:

Basic helmsmanship or boat handling skills
Experience crewing or skippering a motorboat
Familiarity with throttle control and steering

If you are completely new to boating, we recommend starting with the RYA Helmsman Course or RYA Powerboat Level 2 before taking this course.

Course Duration, Price & Certification

This is a one-day practical course with plenty of hands-on time on the water.

Course details:

Duration: 1 day (6–8 hours)
Price using your own vessel: £295.00
Price using our school boat: £395.00
Certification: None (skills-based course)

This course focuses on practical skill development rather than formal certification, making it ideal for building confidence quickly and effectively.

Course Locations & Training Areas

This course can be delivered at a range of locations across the Solent, depending on whether you choose to train on our school boat or your own vessel.

Training options include:

Hamble Point Marina and surrounding Solent marinas
Your own marina, using your own boat
Selected marinas across Southampton and the Solent

Training in your own marina and vessel allows you to practise berthing in the exact environment you use most, making the skills immediately transferable.

FAQs

Can I do this on my own boat or yours?

What types of drive and thrusters do you cover?

What specific skills will we practise?

How many people are on the day?

Do I need previous experience?

Where does it run and what are the times?

What’s included and are there extra costs?

What does it cost?

Is there a certificate?

What if the weather’s challenging?

Customer Reviews

“Cloud Nine is a fantastic boat that handles the sea well-lots of power to get on the plane and kept going if you wanted it. My wife who is not the most confident boater said she wasn’t worried as the boat always felt planted to the water. Rob is a really great guy very laid back and gives you confidence going over the boat and its equipment to give you a great day out on the water.”

Star Google Rating – Trusted by Happy Customers

Martin Gordon

“Rob skippered us and our 35ft Sailboat from Portishead to Falmouth. We encountered weather and issues on the boat which without Rob’s leadership, skill and confidence would have caused us to turn back. On the 36 hour journey Rob was consistently professional and friendly, providing coaching and friendly pointers throughout. The entire journey felt like a very easy lesson and we will benefit for many years to come from Rob’s advice and the simple standards he set aboard. Can’t thank him enough and will definitely be in touch in future!.”

Ricky Velai

“Great School, great instructors, great boat, highly recommend taking course with these guys. Instructor Ramos was a great teacher”

Antony Clark

Do you have a question?

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