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RYA Certified Training Courses

RYA Powerboat Berthing Skills Course

From £199.00

The RYA Powerboat Berthing Skills Course focuses on developing confidence and control when manoeuvring in marinas and close-quarters environments. Training is delivered on the water in real Solent conditions, covering the techniques required to safely approach, dock and handle a powerboat in wind and tide.

This course is ideal for boat owners and skippers looking to improve precision, awareness and confidence when berthing in busy marinas or confined spaces.

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The RYA Powerboat Berthing Skills Course is designed to improve confidence and control when manoeuvring a powerboat in marinas and close-quarters environments. Training takes place on the water in real Solent conditions, providing practical experience in handling wind, tide and confined spaces.

This course focuses on developing precision boat handling and situational awareness, helping you approach, berth and manoeuvre safely in busy marina environments.

  • Close-quarters manoeuvring in marinas and confined areas
  • Approaching and leaving pontoons safely
  • Berthing in varying wind and tidal conditions
  • Use of throttle and steering for low-speed control
  • Crew communication and positioning during manoeuvres
  • Planning safe approaches and exits

The RYA Powerboat Berthing Skills Course is suitable for boat owners, skippers and regular powerboat users who want to improve confidence and accuracy when manoeuvring in marinas and other close-quarters situations. It is particularly useful for those who are comfortable underway but want more control when approaching pontoons, docking and handling a boat in wind or tide.

  • Powerboat owners looking to improve berthing confidence
  • Skippers wanting better close-quarters handling skills
  • Anyone progressing from RYA Powerboat Level 2
  • Boat users operating in busy marinas or tidal waters
  • Individuals wanting practical refresher training

This course is typically delivered as a 1-day practical training session, focused on hands-on manoeuvring and close-quarters handling. Training is conducted in small groups or on a private basis to ensure plenty of time at the helm.

Course prices start from £199, with private and tailored training options available. Please check available dates or contact us for current pricing and availability.

While this is a skills-based training course rather than a formal RYA certification course, it complements RYA Powerboat training and is ideal for building confidence alongside qualifications such as RYA Powerboat Level 2.

This course is suitable for those with some prior powerboating experience who want to improve their confidence and control when berthing. It is recommended that participants have basic boat handling skills, ideally at the level of RYA Powerboat Level 2 or equivalent experience.

No formal qualifications are required to attend, but a basic understanding of boat handling, throttle control and safety procedures will help you get the most from the training.

Training takes place in Southampton and across the Solent, providing an ideal environment for developing practical berthing and close-quarters handling skills in real-world conditions.

Typical training locations include:

  • Hamble Point Marina, Southampton (SO31 4NB)
  • Southampton Water
  • Lymington and surrounding Solent waters

The Solent offers a mix of busy marinas, tidal conditions and varied waterways, allowing you to build confidence when manoeuvring in realistic boating scenarios.

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

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