2-Day Boat Handling Weekend Course on the Solent

Handling a yacht in tight spaces can be one of the most challenging parts of skippering. This practical weekend focuses on building confidence when manoeuvring in marinas, approaching pontoons, and controlling a yacht under pressure. Over two days, you’ll spend plenty of time at the helm practising the techniques that are hardest to master during everyday sailing.

⛵ Key Details

• Duration: 2 days
• Minimum age: 18 years
• Group size: Maximum 4 participants
• Location: Solent and River Hamble
• Training onboard: Sailing yacht

🧭 Key Skills

• Close quarters yacht handling under power
• Marina manoeuvring and controlled docking
• Confident berthing and unberthing techniques
• Situational awareness and decision making in tight spaces
• Crew coordination during manoeuvres

📖 What to Expect

The weekend begins with a briefing covering the key principles of close quarters boat handling. Students will spend most of the time on the water practising manoeuvres such as approaching pontoons, turning in confined spaces, and positioning the yacht accurately under engine power. The focus is on practical repetition so that techniques become instinctive and controlled.

Throughout the course, each participant takes regular turns at the helm with guidance from the instructor. Exercises are adapted to the group’s experience level and personal goals, allowing students to focus on the areas where they want to build confidence. Conditions in the Solent provide an ideal environment to practise handling a yacht with wind, tide, and limited space.

An overnight stop in Hamble is likely depending on weather and training needs. The emphasis of the course is not on covering distance but on developing confidence and control when manoeuvring in marinas and other confined areas.

📍 Location

Training takes place on the River Hamble and within the Solent, one of the UK’s most active sailing areas. The combination of tidal streams, busy marinas, and nearby harbours creates realistic conditions for practising close quarters manoeuvres.

Port Hamble Marina in Hamble village acts as the starting point for the weekend. From here, students have access to a range of marina environments and sheltered waters that allow instructors to set up practical boat handling scenarios.

🛏️ Accommodation

Accommodation is provided onboard the yacht during the weekend if required. The training boats are Reflex 38 sailing yachts with bunk-style cabins, galley facilities, sink, toilet, and shower.

Although the yachts can accommodate up to eight people, the course runs with a maximum of four students plus the instructor. This ensures everyone has regular time at the helm and can take part fully in manoeuvring exercises.

⚓ Prerequisites

This course is designed for sailors who already have experience skippering or crewing on yachts and want to improve their confidence handling a boat in marinas or other tight spaces. It is particularly useful for sailors preparing to charter yachts or returning to skippering after time away from sailing.

Participants should already be comfortable with basic sailing and boat handling. The course focuses specifically on refining close quarters manoeuvring rather than learning general sailing from the beginning.

🌊 Why Choose Us

We aim to create sailing experiences that combine practical learning with a positive and supportive environment. Everyone onboard is encouraged to take part in the sailing process, helping build both skill and confidence through teamwork and shared responsibility.

Our instructors bring years of sailing and racing experience across a range of waters and conditions. Training focuses on practical situations sailors regularly face, giving students the opportunity to practise manoeuvres repeatedly while receiving clear guidance and feedback.