Usually from Hamble Point Marina, Southampton (SO31 4NB) with Solent night pilotage.

Warm/waterproof layers, head torch, non-marking shoes, snacks/drink and any personal medication.

£125 per person, including use of the training vessel and safety equipment.

RYA Certified Training Courses

Powerboat Night Familiarisation Course

Q: Who is this course for?

Newer helms building night confidence and experienced boaters who want to refine safe night operations or prepare for charter passages.

Q: Do I need RYA Powerboat Level 2 first?

It isn’t mandatory, but Level 2–equivalent skills and confident daytime handling are strongly recommended so you get maximum value.

Q: How long is the session and when does it run?

A single evening, typically 4–6 hours after sunset (e.g., 18:00–22:00 in season).

Q: What will I learn on the night?

Pilotage in the dark, practical passage planning, recognising buoy lights, identifying vessels by navigation lights, and safe night procedures.

Q: How many people are on board?

Small groups for maximum helm time (usually up to 4 on the school boat).

Q: Is this coaching or an RYA qualification?

This is focused night familiarisation coaching (not a formal RYA certificate). A training summary can be provided on request.

Q: What if the weather is poor or visibility is unsafe?

We’ll adapt the plan to train safely or reschedule if conditions aren’t suitable for night work.

From £125.00

The Powerboat Night Familiarisation Course is designed to give powerboat operators the skills and confidence needed to navigate safely after dark. Training takes place on the water in real conditions, focusing on pilotage, passage planning, buoyage and vessel identification in reduced visibility.

Delivered by experienced instructors, this hands-on course allows you to gain practical night navigation experience in a controlled environment, helping you build confidence when operating a powerboat at night.

Book Now

Course Overview & What You’ll Learn

This course provides practical experience of operating a powerboat at night, focusing on the challenges of reduced visibility and increased reliance on navigation skills.

What You’ll Learn

– Night pilotage, including entering and leaving harbours and marinas after dark
– Passage planning for safe and efficient night navigation
– Buoyage and light recognition
– Vessel identification and understanding navigation lights
– Situational awareness and decision-making in low-light conditions

The emphasis is on practical application, allowing you to experience and understand night navigation first-hand.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for powerboat operators who are confident during daylight hours and want to extend their skills into night-time operation.

Ideal for:

Powerboat owners wanting confidence navigating after dark
Charterers preparing for night passages
Boaters looking to expand their practical skill set
Anyone wanting real-world night navigation experience

This is a skills development course rather than a qualification-focused programme.

Experience Required & Entry Requirements

Participants should already be confident operating a powerboat in daylight conditions.

Recommended experience:

Experience equivalent to RYA Powerboat Level 2
Confidence with basic navigation and pilotage
Familiarity with onboard safety procedures

This course is not suitable for complete beginners and is designed to build on existing daytime boating skills.

Course Duration, Price & Certification

This is a short, focused course designed to deliver practical night-time experience.

Key course details:

Duration: One evening (approximately 4–6 hours)
Price: From £125.00
Format: Practical, on-the-water training
Certification: Certificate of attendance

The course takes place at night and is scheduled to ensure maximum learning in real conditions.

Course Locations & Training Areas

Training takes place in Southampton and across the Solent, using coastal and harbour environments to provide realistic night navigation experience.

Locations are selected to offer a mix of marina pilotage, buoyage and open-water navigation, allowing you to develop confidence operating in reduced visibility.

FAQs

Who is this course for?

Do I need RYA Powerboat Level 2 first?

How long is the session and when does it run?

What will I learn on the night?

Where is it held?

How many people are on board?

Is this coaching or an RYA qualification?

What should I bring?

What does it cost?

What if the weather is poor or visibility is unsafe?

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?

Not sure about something? No need to worry, we are here to help and are happy to answer your questions. Send us a message using this form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.