RYA Certified Training Courses

Passage Planning Short Course

Q: Do I need any previous boating experience?

No, this course is suitable for beginners. Some time on the water is helpful, but not essential.

Q: Is this course suitable for both sailing and motorboating?

Yes, the course is relevant for both sailors and motorboaters, focusing on practical passage planning principles that apply to either type of boating.

Q: What will I learn on the course?

You’ll learn how to bring together weather, tides, hazards, timings and routing to create a safe and realistic passage plan.

Q: Is this a classroom-based course?

Yes, this is a classroom-based short course using practical examples and structured exercises.

Q: How long is the course?

The course runs for approximately 3.5 hours.

Q: Will this help with RYA training?

Yes, this course can support wider RYA learning by improving your understanding of planning, seamanship and decision-making.

Q: Where is the course held?

Courses are delivered in Southampton and the Solent area, typically at Hamble Point Marina or Marchwood Yacht Club.

Q: What should I bring with me?

All materials are provided, though you may wish to bring a notebook for personal notes.

From £65.00

Learn how to plan safer and more efficient passages with this practical, classroom-based short course.

Designed for skippers and crew operating under sail or power, this session focuses on real-world passage planning, helping you make confident decisions before heading to sea.

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Course Overview & What You’ll Learn

This short course provides a practical introduction to passage planning, covering the key steps needed to prepare for safe and efficient boating trips.

Using real-world examples and structured exercises, you’ll learn how to bring together weather, tides, hazards and route planning to build a clear and workable passage plan.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

Plan a safe and realistic passage
Interpret weather and tidal information
Identify hazards and plan around them
Plot waypoints and structure a route
Calculate timings and passage durations
Build contingencies into your plan
Apply both traditional and digital planning tools

This course also reinforces good seamanship, decision-making and risk awareness throughout.

Topics Covered

Passage planning principles
Weather and tidal interpretation
Route planning and waypoint selection
Hazard identification
Timing and distance calculations
Contingency planning
Practical use of navigation resources

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for:

Beginner and developing skippers
Crew members wanting to improve planning skills
Sailors and motorboaters preparing for longer trips
Boaters wanting more confidence before going afloat
Anyone looking to improve practical seamanship and decision-making

Experience Required & Entry Requirements

No formal qualifications are required.

Helpful (but not essential):

Some experience on the water as crew
A basic interest in navigation and seamanship

This course is suitable for beginners and is delivered in a supportive classroom environment.

Course Duration, Price & Certification

This is a short, classroom-based course designed to deliver practical passage planning knowledge in a focused session.

Course Details:

Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
Time: 13:00 to 16:30
Price: From £65.00
Format: Classroom-based tuition with practical exercises

Course Locations & Training Areas

This course is delivered at:

Saltmakers House, Hamble Point Marina, SO31 4NB
Marchwood Yacht Club, Maritime Avenue, Marchwood, Southampton, SO40 4AD

Both locations offer convenient access, on-site facilities and parking.

FAQs

Do I need any previous boating experience?

Is this course suitable for both sailing and motorboating?

What will I learn on the course?

Is this a classroom-based course?

How long is the course?

Will this help with RYA training?

Where is the course held?

What should I bring with me?

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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