FAQs

Got questions? We’ve got answers. Our FAQs page provides you with quick, helpful responses to the most common queries about sailing with Tops’l. From membership details and yacht bookings, to sailing experience requirements and safety guidelines, we’ve compiled all the key information you need to get started and make the most of your time on the water.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, feel free to contact us directly – we’re always happy to help!

Everything you want to know about sailing with Tops’l

Do I need to be an experienced sailor to join?
What types of yachts does Tops’l have?

The Tops’l yachts are all 10/11 metre cruisers designed for coastal or ocean sailing with a crew of four or five. They all have appropriate accommodation in two or three cabins, plus a convertible saloon. The boats can fully support the crew away from a shore base for at least a week. The three yachts each have different characteristics which make them suitable for different purposes.
Can I take family or friends sailing with me?
What qualifications do I need to join Tops’l?
Can I sail without a qualification if I’m not yet fully certified?

If you are proceeding towards formal qualification such as RYA Skipper (link opens in new tab/window), you will be able to join Tops’l as crew. Once our Skills Director is satisfied that you are safe and competent, you may progress to Tops’l Local Skipper status. You will also need a VHF Radio Short Range Certificate.
Further checkouts will be required to ensure you fully understand each of our boats. Offshore Skipper status requires completion of a qualifying passage of over 60 miles and an understanding of Traffic Separation Schemes.
Can I participate in sailing events or races through Tops’l?
How do I meet other members of the club?
How does the shared ownership model work?

Each member purchases a minimum of 600 shares and these funds form the capital base of the club. Each member becomes a shareholder in Tops’l Sailcruise Ltd which is run as a non-profit making company. Increasing your shareholding is encouraged by issuing sailing vouchers in proportion to your shareholding. These sailing vouchers may be used to reduce the cost of your sailing.
The subscriptions of members pay for the fixed costs of the club such as mooring, insurance, and regular maintenance. The sailing charges cover the usage of the yachts, fuel, repairs, and contribute towards the depreciation. The club has been operating under this model since 1979, so we know it works well. Copies of the Financial Reports are available to view.
What support is available to members?

We are not an RYA training organisation, but we operate in a way that encourages all members to expand their skills. You will be given the opportunity to practise any aspect of sailing, and we hold special Skills Days with one of our mentors on board to guide you. There is no additional charge for these skills events. Specialist classroom and practical events are held to practise the use of equipment such as Radar, VHF and AIS.
How does Tops’l handle safety on the water?

All boats are equipped with automatic lifejackets for all crew members. They also have life rafts, VHF DSC radios, Radar, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), radar reflectors, rescue equipment such as DAN buoys and floating lines. Practice Man Overboard drills are a requirement of all Skippers and Offshore Skippers have a First Aid Qualification.
What are the costs of sailing?

The daily cost of a berth is £57 (2025). This may be reduced by using a sailing voucher. In addition, engine hours are charged at £10 per hour shared between the crew to cover the cost of fuel and engine maintenance. Any costs of food or moorings away from base are shared between the crew.
There is an insurance excess of £1,000 which is shared between the crew in the event of an insurance claim.
What is the availability of boats?

We have three boats. One is usually away from base on a cruise. This is ordinarily fully booked by the time the cruise starts. The other two boats are based at Port Solent and each has a calendar showing its availability. Summer bookings are busy and weekends are popular, but bookings are available most weeks. Utilisation in Summer is around 30%.
If I am not checked out to Skipper, how easy is it to get to sail?
If I am checked out as a Skipper but don't have family and friends to draw on to crew, how easy is it to get crew from the club to join me?

Crew invitations are normally sent out by email, either to individual members or the whole club by group email. A booking on the calendar may also initiate requests from crew wishing to sail.
Members who are qualified as Skippers often sail together, but only one is designated Skipper for the day and takes responsibility for the boat.
Once I've joined, how quickly can I get checked out as a Skipper?

A member joining with a pre-existing Skipper qualification or experience can normally be checked out as a Skipper within a short time. Tops’l operates in a particular way using checklists to ensure that the boat is left in a known condition after each sail. Once this is understood, the Skills Director or a nominated mentor can check out and sign off a member as a Skipper on a particular boat.
Can I take children on board?
How keen are club members on passages and offshore sailing?

Long passages are always available either direct from base or as part of the annual cruise. In the past, our boats have been as far as the Canary Islands and the Azores.
Club sails to the Channel Islands are common, and it looks likely that France may become more popular now that restrictions on ports of entry are relaxed. This year there are options available as our Hallberg Rassy returns from Scotland.

More useful info…

Membership

Becoming a member means more than just access to great yachts. It’s about joining a friendly and supportive sailing community. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just starting out, we make it easy to get on the water without financial and logistical burdens of boat ownership. Read more…

Resources

Explore our go-to hub for all the information you need to keep our fleet running smoothly and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience on the water – everything from detailed boat specifications and technical guides, to gear manuals, checklists, and important forms. Dive in…