Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum age for the RYA Powerboat Courses?
How do I know which course to do?
Can I do any of these courses on my own boat?
Once I have done a course, how do I go on to get more experience?
What is the difference between bareboat and skippered charter?
What do I need to be able to bareboat charter a rib?
How do I get an ICC?
Do I need an ICC for UK waters?
What is CEVNI?
Do I really need a radio licence as I never really use it?
I don’t want to do a course, but would like some advice on a particular boat handling issue...
How do I find the school?
What do I need to bring with me for my course?
Can I bring my own waterproofs and lifejacket?
Why do I need to bring a passport photo with me?
I am coming on a powerboat course – can you recommend places for me to stay?

 

What is the minimum age for the RYA Powerboat Courses?

It is surprising how early children can start to drive a powerboat safely – the minimum age for the RYA Powerboat Level 1 course is 8 years old, and for RYA Powerboat Level 2 it is 12. The RYA Powerboat Intermediate course lower age limit is 16, and it is 17 for the RYA Advanced Powerboat course.

How do I know which course to do?

It is possible to jump into both the Motor Cruising and Powerboat schemes at any point – you do not have to start at the bottom and complete each course to progress to the next rung, however if you have little or no experience you will need to start at the beginning, and for the powerboat scheme this is either going to be the one-day RYA Powerboat Level 1 course, or the two-day RYA Powerboat Level 2 course. Both are designed as introductory courses, although we do get many people doing the Level 2 course despite having some or even plenty of previous experience but no prior training.

On the Motor Cruising Scheme you are going to be starting with the RYA Motor Cruising Helmsman’s course. If you have some previous experience or a little navigational knowledge you may be able to jump straight to RYA Motor Cruising Day Skipper.

It is certainly possible to start at a higher level, but this should only be considered by those with experience The most important thing is not to over-reach yourself; it is very demoralising to start a course only to realise that you have come in at too advanced a level. We will obviously do all we can to get you up to speed, and will let you know as soon as possible if we have concerns about your level of experience for a course, but ultimately you may not achieve the certificate you are after if you start a course with too little prior knowledge or experience. For more advice or to discuss where to enter any of the RYA schemes call the School Principal, Adam Wilson.

Can I do any of these courses on my own boat?

Yes. Most Powerboat and Motor Cruising courses and training can be done either on one of our boats or your own vessel. There are some courses however, such as VHF, which can only be run ashore in a classroom, and we have a dedicated classroom and office in the marina near our boats.

Once I have done a course, how do I go on to get more experience?

There are a few options available here. How about a day on a rib with one of our instructors? Use the time to practice mooring and boat handling, or combine it with a run round the Solent or beyond – you can even bring friends or family and let them get some hands on experience driving the boat under the watchful eye of one of our instructors. These bespoke days have inevitably proved very popular and very useful, and are a very good bridge between a course and the first bareboat charter. Alternatively, come and do a Mileage Builder, or how about bareboat charter? For more information on any of these options have a look at the relevant pages on our website or give Adam a call on 01590 678809.

What is the difference between bareboat and skippered charter?

There are two types of charter (hire). If you are unwilling or unable to drive a boat yourself then skippered charter is the best option. We provide a boat with a skipper who can take you more or less wherever you wish to go. The alternative is bareboat charter which is where you hire a ‘bare boat’ meaning you are the skipper and responsible for returning the boat safely and in one piece. Although described as bareboat they are all fully equipped with the latest electronics and safety equipment.

What do I need to be able to bareboat charter a rib?

To bareboat locally in the Solent we expect the skipper to have the RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate as a minimum. Apart from giving us some peace of mind that you are safe on the water, it is also an insurance requirement. For charter further afield (you can charter one of our ribs anywhere in the UK) the same criteria usually apply, but do check with us in case our insurers require any further clarification of your experience or qualifications.

How do I get an ICC?

The International Certificate of Competence is documentary assurance from one government to another that the holder meets the levels of competence laid down in something called Resolution 40 (a UN resolution affecting some European waters). It is not a qualification, but is accepted in lieu of a qualification in some countries which require boat users to be qualified. The type of ICC needed depends on the type of boat you plan to use abroad. To use a power driven vessel up to 10 metres you can use a powerboat Level 2 certificate to apply to the RYA for an ICC. For larger motor boats the minimum is a Day Skipper power certificate. Alternatively you can take an ICC test for either discipline – call or email us for more details.

Do I need an ICC for UK waters?

No – the UK is unusual in that we don’t require leisure users to have any formal training, instead encouraging owners and users to seek their own training; accordingly the UK has some of the best marine leisure training available in the world, and also one of the best safety records.

What is CEVNI?

The Certificate Europeen de Voies de Navigation Interieures is an additional endorsement to the ICC to allow holders to navigate on mainland Europe’s inland waterways – ti obtain the CEVNI endorsement you must first hold the ICC, then take a short test. The inland waterways have what may seem at first like a bewildering range of different regulations, and it is knowledge and understanding of these rules that the test examines you on. The best way to learn the rules is to get a copy of the RYA’s CEVNI book which we hold stock of.

Do I really need a radio licence as I never really use it?

Absolutely! There are two issues here. The first is licences for the equipment on your boat, including any hand-held radios – if you own any type of marine VHF (& some other types of marine transmitting equipment) it must all be licensed. It is free, & licences are obtained online from the OFCOM website http://www.ofcom.org.uk/licensing/olc/ . Secondly, any user must either hold something called the Short Range Certificate (a marine radio qualification), or must be supervised at all times by someone on board who holds the certificate. To get the certificate you will need to do a one day course – we run them very regularly – have a look at the courses section for more info or call or email us. Both the Short Range Certificate and the Ships Radio Licence are legal requirements, so don’t get caught out!

I don’t want to do a course, but would like some advice on a particular boat handling issue...

No problem – give the school principal, Adam Wilson, a call to discuss your particular requirements. If it a question we can answer over the phone we will be delighted to help. If you just need a couple of hours on a boat to help with a particular issue we can easily organise a boat handling clinic for you, or if you want an instructor for a few days or even weeks we can organise this too. Even if you have a really exotic boating question, we have a range of very experienced skippers and instructors (both power and sail) who have been to most places from the Equator to the Polar Regions, so even if we can’t answer your question straight off, we should know who to speak to or who to put you in touch with.

How do I find the school?

Check our contact page on the website for directions and maps.

What do I need to bring with me for my course?

Have a look at joining instructions for the specific course you are coming on. For powerboat courses you are in an open boat and the temperature on the water is always a layer of clothing colder than on land. We provide waterproofs and a lifejacket, but don’t provide waterproof footwear so it is probably a good idea to bring boots or a change of shoes if it looks wet or windy. There are showers and changing facilities in the marina if required, so you are welcome to bring a change of clothes for after your course – although we don’t plan to get you that wet...

Can I bring my own waterproofs and lifejacket?

By all means. The only thing we ask is that lifejackets are in good condition and are automatic rather than manually inflated. We may ask you to wear one of our lifejackets if we are not certain yours is in top condition.

Why do I need to bring a passport photo with me?

For certain courses such as the Short Range Certificate (VHF) course, and the Powerboat Level 2 course, the certificate that is issued is a photo certificate, and therefore we can’t process them without your photo. There is nowhere really close to the marina to get a passport photo quickly – the only place we are aware of in Lymington is the Post Office, hence you are probably better off bringing one down with you if you have been asked to on the joining instructions.

I am coming on a powerboat course – can you recommend places for me to stay?

There are quite a range of different places to stay in & around Lymington depending on how much you would like to spend... Stanwell House is the hotel on the High Street in Lymington - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE - quite smart & approx £100 per night last time we checked or the Angel Inn (busy town-centre pub with some rooms which may prove to be quite noisy - 01590 672050 - cheaper but quite a noisy pub The Bosuns Chair is another (probably quieter) pub in Lymington that has been recommended to us in the past 01590 675140 - 10 or 15 mins walk from the marina... The Passford House Hotel is just outside Lymington - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE - a quiet country house hotel... as is Elmers Court - 0870 194 2131 - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE... The Mayflower is worth a call - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE - 01590 672160, and is close to the marina, (busy pub/restaurant but apparently good accommodation & well run)... or Britannia House is a very well run but quite expensive B&B - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE - smart, close to town centre, about 15 mins walk to marina Jevington, just by the marina, is a good no-frills B&B - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE - usually prefers bookings of two nights minimum at weekends (01590 672148) As does Bay Trees in Milford on Sea, (which is run by friends of ours) - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE...
At the top end Chewton Glen has an outstanding reputation - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE... and we have heard from clients that The Captain's Club in Christchurch is very good - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE Westover Hall on the coast in Milford on Sea is lovely & has a great restaurant - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE Carey's Manor in Brockenhurst is popular - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE as are the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brock' - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE and the New Park Hotel - CLICK HERE FOR WEBSITE

For a comprehensive local Directory of Places To Stay, Restaurants etc. including reviews and more, then please visit - Lymington Dot Com where all the above are featured!