Visiting Us
Visiting boats and rallies are always welcome to our pontoon. If you're planning to visit us please let us know in advance if possible, preferably via our email office@rvyc.org.uk
BERTHING, BAR & GALLEY INFORMATION
Visiting boats are very welcome to berth on the Club pontoon during the day or overnight. As the pontoon is not usually staffed, the club cannot guarantee space will be available for individual craft on arrival. Berthing for individual boats is on a first come, first served basis, except for rallies of five or more boats which can be booked in advance.
Please look at the mooring plan by clicking here
Please moor in a manner that allows maximum usage by club members and other visitors. The club reserves the right to move boats to accommodate others or for safety reasons.
Please email office@rvyc.org.uk if you have any questions about berthing or the opening times of the club bar and galley. If the club is open on the day of your visit, information about the current availability of space on the pontoon may be obtained by calling 01983 882325.
Information on opening times for the club bar and galley can also be found here
RALLIES
When enquiring about the possibility of a lunchtime or overnight rally, please give details of boats attending including LOA, draft and type (fin/lifting/bilge/motor/RIB). We will allocate appropriate space on the pontoon. Rafting up to four boats may be necessary for short stay lunchtime visits. Special menus can be arranged to suit your rally lunch or dinner.
VISITOR FEES FROM 1 APRIL 2025
LOA includes all fore and aft extensions, ie the total length of pontoon space occupied by the vessel.
Short Stay:
- LOA under 7m £7.50
- LOA 7m and over £10.00.
Overnight:
- £3.00 per metre LOA rounded to the nearest metre.
Payment can be :
- Either by credit/debit card at the club bar during opening hours
- Or by bank transfer (Account name :Royal Victoria Yacht Club | Account No 10769401 | Sort Code 20-60-55 Ref: VISboatname & date)
- Please note we no longer accept cash payments
NAVIGATION TIPS
The RVYC is situated near the mouth of Wootton Creek adjacent to the Wightlink Ferry Terminal. When approaching Wootton Creek from the west, please note that the red post on Wootton Rocks should be considered as a North Cardinal, not a port marker, for entering Wootton Creek as there are shallows between the Rocks and the shore.
Watch out for the Wightlink Portsmouth/Fishbourne ferries as they have right of way in the approach channel from Wootton Beacon. They usually spend about 15 minutes in dock. If possible, time your arrival or departure to avoid their movements or navigate just outside the starboard channel beacons if enough depth. Outgoing ferries may turn around near Wootton Beacon before heading to Portsmouth.
The seasonal swinging moorings east of the RVYC Race Box are for club members' Squibs and their RIBS only. As they are not rated for heavier craft, these buoys are not available for visitors.
All the moorings in Wootton Creek itself are fore and aft so beware of pick-up lines. There are no visitor buoys and no anchoring is allowed south of the Port and Starboard entrance buoys near the ferry terminal.
RVYC FACILITIES
- WATER there is a tap by the ramp at shore end of the pontoon.
- ELECTRICITY is not available on pontoon.
- WC/SHOWER FACILITIES - 24-hour access is available via the entrance on the south side of the clubhouse at the bottom of the dinghy park. Code available from any member or Club email - office@rvyc.org.uk.
- WI-FI (RVYC members - password vicnet2013), free access in and near the clubhouse. The signal reaches to the pontoon when atmospheric conditions are favourable.
- WASTE please put non-recyclable rubbish and recycling in the bins near the south entrance.
- NB - The Clubhouse has an alarm system and CCTV records movements on the pontoon and areas around the Clubhouse.
TIDAL HEIGHT (Portsmouth Tides)
The mud alongside the pontoon dries to very approximately 1 metre above Chart Datum at the outer end and 1.5 metres at the inshore end. Channels created by ferry wash run under the pontoon at an angle around the piles. They are more pronounced on the ferry side. On the outer (NW side), the mud is more even in height especially at the outer end of the visitor area. Rafted boats are advised to be of similar type, freeboard height and keel configuration so they are more likely to be compatible if they take the ground.
SHORT STAYS
Spring tides allow lunchtime short stays even for some fin keeled boats if a close watch is kept on the tidal height. From the lawn, the tide gauge indicating the height of the tide above Chart Datum can be seen on a dolphin beyond the crane. Subtract 1 to 1.5m for the very approximate depth alongside the pontoon.
OVERNIGHT STAYS
The pontoon is only suitable overnight for vessels which can take the ground. On small neap tides very shallow draft boats may stay afloat most or all the time. Rafting boats overnight is not advisable.
WIGHTLINK FERRIES
WARNING!
Watch for incoming ferries particularly around low tide, as they push a large volume of water into the Creek. This results in rapid changes in depth with back-and-forth water movement - so for a few minutes after the ferry docks, boats at the pontoon can be very unstable.
SEAWALL, JETTY AND BRIDGE TO PONTOON RAMP
Jumping from these structures is forbidden as there are hidden metal and concrete hazards in the water.
LOCAL INFORMATION
A favourite walk from the RVYC is along the bridleway in the direction of Ryde to the east. On the way, Quarr Abbey has a tea and farm shop open all year round and hosts art exhibitions (www.quarrabbey.org/visit).
Bus services stop near the end of Fishbourne Lane (No 9 between Ryde and Newport/ No 4 between Ryde and East Cowes for Osborne House).
Nearest shops : Tesco Express, Majestic Wine & Day-Lewis Pharmacy in Wootton Bridge (about I mile walk).
RVYC BYELAWS
Please adhere to the following RVYC byelaws (club premises include the clubhouse and all outside areas)
1. DOGS: to be kept on leads and under proper control at all times both inside and outside the clubhouse. No dogs (except guide/assistance dogs) are allowed in the dining area. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs if fouling occurs anywhere on the club premises.
The club is dog-friendly but please remember that not all people like dogs and not all dogs like each other!
The lawns near the clubhouse are used for rigging boats and young children's games as well as eating, drinking and socialising. When arriving from the pontoon with your dog, please take this into consideration.
Dog waste must be picked up immediately and can be deposited in the non-recyclable waste bin near the clubhouse south entrance.
3. SMOKING: Smoking is only allowed in the designated smoking area. No smoking, including e-cigarettes/vaping, is allowed anywhere else on the club premises.
Pleases note that smoking is prohibited by law on the balcony as well as in the Clubhouse. In addition, the by-law does not allow smoking outside except in the designated areas.
Last updated 21:46 on 22 April 2025
