It's time to go AWOL from your desk for a while and do something more exhilarating! RYA sailing and powerboat training on the Solent.
From practical sailing to online theory, we offer a full range of RYA certified courses to suit your goals.
From Start Yachting to Yachtmaster™, our friendly experienced skippers deliver quality training on modern yachts.
Own Boat Tuition and RYA courses on your vessel. We specialise in customising training to suit your needs.
Powerboating courses for RIBs, day boats, and motor cruisers. Learn to control your vessel safely at all times.
Learn at your own pace with our online theory courses. Our shorebased tutors include Yachtmaster™ examiners.
Trusted & Accredited
Our most popular practical and theory courses
A popular entry-level course that provides the skills and background knowledge needed to drive a powerboat safely at speed and in close quarters. Also enables the holder to obtain an International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
A short introduction to sailing ideal for complete beginners. If you've always wondered what sailing is like and wanted to give it a go, this fun weekend aboard a yacht is the perfect first step.
Become an active, confident crew member with this hands-on course. Perfect for complete beginners, you'll experience onboard living, learn essential sailing skills, and receive continuous guidance from your instructor throughout.
A hands-on course highly recommended for anyone who regularly sails on board a yacht. Designed to improve your skills and build knowledge of all aspects of life at sea whilst skippering a sailing yacht during short coastal passages by day and night.
The ideal progression after Day Skipper. Build confidence for longer, more complex passages including night sailing, watch-keeping systems, and heavy weather handling on coastal and offshore routes.
The MCA/RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore qualification is recognised and respected worldwide. This course enables candidates to prepare for an exam covering refresher training in key maritime areas, culminating in an assessment with an external RYA examiner. Enables skippering of yachts up to 150 miles from safe haven.
Get better value by combining practical and theory courses
View PackagesCreate a Personal Development Plan
Whether you've recently bought a new boat, or simply want to get more experience, a Personal Development Plan could be exactly what you need. We'll help you cover maintenance, safety, tactics, yacht-specifics, and assisted passages — all tailored to your goals.
Engine checks, electrics, plumbing, and keeping your boat in top condition
Man overboard, fire, flooding, and emergency protocols practiced until second nature
Sail trim, tidal strategy, passage planning, and advanced manoeuvres
Learn your own boat inside and out, from rigging to instruments and systems
Build real-world confidence with guided passages along the Solent and beyond
Every plan is built around you -- your experience, your boat, and where you want to go
Make the most of your time away from the desk. Whether it's learning to sail a yacht, skippering a motor cruiser, achieving your Day Skipper or gaining your radio qualification — Urban Truant offers practical training, online learning and modern facilities to help you reach your goals on the water.
We never compromise on quality. Our friendly instructors are with you during every step of your learning experience.
With your progression as our priority, we impose a maximum of 3 students for every course on board. This means more time with your instructor, more time practising your skills, and the ability to focus on any areas that need attention. You'll also have a cabin to yourself.
Our yachts are equipped and furnished with training in mind. Well-maintained with quality instruments including modern Chartplotters, Radar and AIS. We take your comfort seriously too — your own cabin, 240v sockets on shorepower, and complimentary use of lifejackets and wet weather gear. Marina fees are always included.
We pride ourselves on using the very best instructors available. They're a friendly, experienced team who take the time to ensure you fully understand what you're learning. Our shorebased tutors include Yachtmaster Instructors, examiners and instructor trainers.
Our exclusive SailingCourseOnline portal offers an advanced way to learn at your own pace, working seamlessly across desktops, laptops and mobile devices. Content is written specifically for on-screen learning with bite-sized modules, clean graphics and animations. Our instructor team provides fast, knowledgeable assistance whenever you need it.
Our training facilities at Hamble Point Marina provide small groups with the perfect environment to study and learn. The room is well-equipped with full audio/visual, a large whiteboard, and plenty of space to spread out your charts. Refreshments are included with every course, with decent coffee always on tap.
All our Powerboat training courses are delivered on our exceptionally maintained Highfield Patrol RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) which perform brilliantly at speed and during close-quarters manoeuvres, giving you confidence in a capable vessel.
Urban Truant is one of the UK's leading RYA sail and power training schools. We're based at Hamble Point Marina on the River Hamble, with the entire Solent within easy reach.
Your RYA training course begins the minute you step on board one of our well-equipped modern boats or join us in our cosy training room equipped with the latest IT and learning aids.
We also offer online navigation courses delivered on our exclusive learning platform. Learn at your own pace, and our team of experienced instructors is ready to answer your questions — help is never far away.
Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to advance your skills, we have a course for you.
