Get started with Escape Boat Club
From joining the club to your first day on The Solent — here's everything you need to know. Most members are on the water within 48 hours.
Before You Begin
Make sure you have these ready before starting. The certification step is the only part that takes more than a few minutes.
- RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate (minimum qualification to helm)
- VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC) — required before your first booking
- A modern web browser or smartphone for the app
- An active email address for your member account
- Approximately 5 minutes to complete sign-up
Four Steps to the Water
Follow these steps in order and you'll be ready to book your first trip on The Solent.
Join the Club
Choose your membership tier — Weekday, Full, or Pay As You Go — and complete your profile. The whole process takes under five minutes.
- Visit the membership page and select your tier
- Enter your details and create your account
- Complete your member profile
Not sure which tier suits you? Full membership is most popular for regular weekend sailors. Weekday is ideal if you primarily sail Monday to Friday.
Upload Your Certifications
Upload your RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate and VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC). Our team reviews and verifies submissions within one working day.
- Navigate to 'Certifications' in your dashboard
- Upload clear photos or scans of your RYA Powerboat Level 2 and VHF SRC
- Wait for verification confirmation (usually within 24 hours)
Make sure your photos are clear and the certificate number is legible. Blurry uploads will be returned for re-submission, which adds a day to your verification.
Browse the Fleet and Book
Once certified, you can view real-time availability across our full RIB fleet and lock in your slot. Choose your vessel, date, and departure time.
- Open the 'Fleet' tab and check live availability
- Select your preferred vessel and time slot
- Review the booking summary and confirm
Full members can hold two future bookings simultaneously. Book your next trip while you're still out on the water — slots on weekends go quickly.
Complete the Pre-Departure Checklist
On the day of your trip, open the app and work through the digital pre-departure checklist. This confirms the vessel is ready and your booking is active.
- Open your booking in the app on the day of departure
- Complete the pre-departure safety checklist
- Confirm you and your guests are wearing lifejackets
- Depart and enjoy The Solent
The checklist takes around five minutes to complete. Arriving a little early means you're on the water on time, not still running through checks at your departure slot.
How We Do Things
A few principles that make Escape Boat Club different from booking a charter or owning a boat.
Safety First
Every trip starts with a pre-departure checklist. Lifejackets, flares, VHF radio — all verified and logged before you leave the pontoon.
Come Certified
RYA Powerboat Level 2 is the minimum to helm any vessel in our fleet. Your qualifications are verified once and stay on file.
Book Ahead
Popular weekend slots fill fast. Full members can hold two future bookings simultaneously — plan ahead and you'll rarely miss out.
Respect the Fleet
Post-return inspections protect every member. Report any issues immediately in the app — our team handles maintenance, not you.
Quick Reference
A summary of all four steps — bookmark this for your first trip.
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Join the Club
Choose your membership tier — Weekday, Full, or Pay As You Go — and complete your profile. The whole process takes under five minutes.
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Upload Your Certifications
Upload your RYA Powerboat Level 2 certificate and VHF Short Range Certificate (SRC). Our team reviews and verifies submissions within one working day.
-
Browse the Fleet and Book
Once certified, you can view real-time availability across our full RIB fleet and lock in your slot. Choose your vessel, date, and departure time.
-
Complete the Pre-Departure Checklist
On the day of your trip, open the app and work through the digital pre-departure checklist. This confirms the vessel is ready and your booking is active.
Guide FAQ
Common questions about joining and getting verified.
- How long does it take to get verified and make my first booking?
- Most members are verified within one working day of uploading their certifications. Once approved, you can make your first booking immediately. The whole journey from sign-up to first booking is typically 24–48 hours.
- What if my certifications are in a format the app doesn't accept?
- The app accepts JPG, PNG, and PDF uploads up to 10MB each. If you're having trouble, email our membership team at [email protected] and we'll process your documents manually.
- Do I need to brief my guests before departure?
- Yes. As the certified member at the helm, you are responsible for briefing all guests on lifejacket use, emergency procedures, and the pre-departure safety checklist. The app includes a simple guest briefing guide you can walk through together.
- What happens if I need to cancel my booking?
- Cancellations more than 48 hours before departure are fully refunded. Inside 48 hours, the booking is non-refundable — but if severe weather or a safety advisory is issued, we'll rearrange or refund at no charge.
Related Resources
Explore these resources to get more out of your Escape Boat Club membership.
Full FAQ
Detailed answers on certifications, booking rules, cancellations, fuel, safety equipment, and marina location.
Explore LearningThe Journal
Tips, guides, and stories from members and the Escape Boat Club team — from handling the Solent tides to choosing the right vessel.
Explore DocumentationKnowledge Base
Step-by-step documentation for every feature in the Escape Boat Club platform, from booking to post-trip inspection.
Explore
Ready to get on the water?
Join Escape Boat Club today and get on the water.
