Sailing courses
The aim of the RYA Sail Cruising and RYA Yachtmaster Scheme is to encourage high standards of seamanship and navigation. The practical sailing courses give you the opportunity to receive expert instruction and advance you to a level of seamanship in 5 days which may otherwise take years to achieve. The Sail Cruising Scheme courses can be entered at any stage according to your knowledge and experience; there is no need to start at beginners level. You can enjoy them to simply increase your knowledge and confidence , or use them as a progression to the RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence, which are recognised by maritime authorities world wide.
Competent Crew
The RYA Competent Crew course - this course is for beginners and those who have had a previous brief introduction to sailing and would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers. At the conclusion of the course you should be able to take the helm, trim and handle sails, keep a lookout, assist in emergency situations with knowledge of fire fighting, using distress flares, know rules of the road on the sea, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines of life onboard a cruising yacht. Plus you should be able to make a great cup of coffee! The 5 day course takes you to the required level of seamanship and helmsmanship to be a useful member of the crew.
Pre Course Experience
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Course Aim
Introduction to sail yacht cruising. Put you at ease on the water
and give you knowledge and practise to help sail a yacht. To open up new
experiences for holidays and life on the water.
Ability After Course
Be a useful crew member on a sailing yacht
Duration
5 Days
Course Content
- Nautical terms
- Ropework and tying alongside
- Safety on board
- Man overboard
- Rules of the Road
- Seasickness
- Points of sail
- General duties
- Sail handling
- Fire hazards and fighting
- Emergency equipment
- Mooring
- Meteorolory
- Helmsmanship
- Dinghies
- Manners and customs
Day Skipper Practical
The RYA Day Skipper course - this five-day course will take you to the level where you can skipper a small yacht on short passages by day and be in charge and responsible for the safety of your crew. You will be instructed on boat handling under power and sail, deck work, navigation, seamanship, meteorology, rules of the road, engines, maintenance, pilotage, emergency situations and passage making. In 5 days you will gain the knowledge and experience that may otherwise take a number of years to obtain without expert instruction and the confidence to take on the challenge of being a skipper for friend and family.
Pre Course Experience
5 Days sea time, 100 miles with 4 night hours
Assumed Knowledge
Basic navigation and sailing ability
Course Aim
Improve your boat handling, navigation and leadership
Ability After Course
Skipper a small yacht in familar waters by day
Duration
5 Days
Course Content
- Preparation for sea
- Navigation
- Meteorology
- Maintenance and repair work
- Provisioning
- Yacht handling under power
- Passage making
- Deck work
- Pilotage
- Rules of the road
- Engines
- Emergency situations
- Man overboard recovery
- Yacht handling under sail
Coastal Skipper Practical
The RYA Coastal Skipper course - a five-day advanced course for those skippers wanting to undertake coastal voyages by day and night. You will skipper more challenging passages and it is assumed trainees attending this course will be competent sailors with a good knowledge of the theory of navigation and meteorology. You will learn more about passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, including preparation for adverse weather conditions, safety and emergency situations. There is not sufficient time during the course to instruct the basic skills of seamanship and navigation, as well as teach how these skills should be applied by the skipper of a yacht. You will be instructed and assessed on your ability to take charge of a yacht and direct and organise the crew for a yacht on a coastal passage.
Pre Course Experience
15 Days seatime (2 Days as skipper), 300 miles, 8 night hours
Assumed Knowledge
Navigation to Coastal Skipper Shorebased standard
Sailing to Day Skipper Practical standard
Course Aims
Improve your ability to manage the yacht and crew. Improve
navigation and pilotage for coastal passages. Ability to cope with more
challenging situations and conditions
Ability After Course
Can skipper a yacht on Coastal Passages by day and night
Duration
5 Days
Course Content
- Passage planning
- Passage making & ability as skipper
- Yacht handling under power
- Adverse weather conditions
- Preparation for sea
- Pilotage
- Yacht handling under sail
- Emergency situations
NOTE
After a successful course you will be awarded a Course Completion Certificate. An RYA/MCA Certificate of Competence for Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean can be gained by examination conducted by RYA Yachtmaster examiners who are independant of sailing schools. We can offer exam preparation tuition and then arrange for the Certificate of Competence examination at the conclusion of your prep course. To obtain a MCA commercial endorsement you will also need to have a medical fitness certificate and attend a basic sea survival course. An RYA/MCA Certificate of Competence is recognised by maritime authorities throughout the world and is often one of the required qualification options for professional skippers.
