Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask - we are always at the end of the phone – 02381 242159.
There is no such thing as a silly question!
We are based in Saxon Wharf Marina, next to Shamrock Quay on the River Itchen in Southampton.
The best course will be the RYA Powerboat level 2, this course will take you from a complete beginner to having the confidence to undertake a short passage by day time, mooring the boat and have an understanding of rules of the road. Anyone can attend this course and you needn’t have attended the RYA Level 1 course before you attend the RYA Powerboat level 2 course.
This course is 2 days and is normally run at our base in Saxon Wharf Marina, Southampton.
Courses run at 0930 – 1700 unless otherwise stated.
Yes you can. We can offer any of our RYA Training courses on your boat, in fact Ocean Sports Tuition has built a reputation of offering courses throughout the world. We have been as far afield as the Falkland Islands.
No problem, we can supply you with a friendly MCA Qualified Skipper for a special event.
Yes we do, we have the very latest branded waterproofs from Gill.
We have a recommended list of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes, please ask us at time of booking for our local accommodation list.
Mooring fees, all expert tuition and fuel apart from where stated.
A full list will be sent to you with the joining instructions. It’s also useful to bring with you paper, pencil and some lunch.
The great thing about our location in the Solent, is whatever the weather we can always find a suitable location for your training.
Yes we do, this type of training is perfect for people that just want that little bit of extra tuition.
It is our responsibility to fill the course, so we will typically run the course irrelevant of numbers. Unless there is a minimum course number set by the RYA.
Please note all RYA Instructor courses have minimum numbers, this is set by the RYA.
Yes, Saxon Wharf has plenty of paid parking available.
All our RIBS are capable of 40 knots, but our normal cruising speed on RYA courses is around 20 knots.
Bare boat charter is where you are the skipper and self drive the boat, effectively the boat is yours for the charter period.
All our RIBs are MCA coded and as such have to carry a minimum level of safety equipment, this would include:
- Life jackets for all passengers including spares
- Flares
- First Aid kit
- Buckets x 2
- Anchor
- Kedge Anchor
- VHF
- Hand Held VHF
- Charts of the area
- GPS
- Echo Sounder
- Horse Shoe Bouys
- Radar Reflector
- Life Raft
This is not the complete list, but you start to understand that we carry lots of equipment for your safety.
The maximum instructor student ratio is set by the RYA and differs for each course we deliver. At Ocean Sports tuition we deliver, some of our courses with less students for a more personalised training experience.
Please see below the maximum ratios set by the RYA for your desired course:
RYA Powerboat courses 1:3 - RYA Safety boat courses is 1:6 in 2 boats
RYA PWC courses 1:6 - with maximum of 3 PWC's
RYA Motor cruising courses 1:5 - apart from RYA Advanced navigation which is 1:3
RYA Sail cruising courses 1:5
RYA Shore based courses 1:12 - 1:16 for RYA Sea Survival courses
No we don't have any upper age limit for RYA training courses. Lower age limits for training courses are set by the RYA. Ocean Sports Tuition has a safe guarding policy in place this states that anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a fee paying adult or guardian.