RYA Practical Courses
Practical courses
A short introduction to sailing for complete beginners.
By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board.
Holders of the Start Yachting certificate can go on to complete the Competence Crew course in a reduced time of three days or two weekends.
Pre-course experience None
Assumed knowledge None
Minimum duration 2 days
Minimum age None
Course content - The yacht, ropework, being underway by means of power and sail, rules of the road, man overboard recovery, clothing and equipment, emergency equipment and precautions, meteorology.
Ability after the course Basic knowledge of yachting.
This course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers.
Experience living on board and really get to know the boat. Virtually all the course is hands on. You are the crew - without you the sails won't go up and the boat won't be steered.
By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day duties on board. You should also have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday
Pre-course experience: None
Assumed knowledge: None
Minimum duration: 5 days. Often run over 3 weekends or 3 days plus a weekend. If you have done the Start Yachting course, this course can be completed in 3 or 4 days
Minimum age: None
Course content - Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails, sail handling, ropework, fire precautions and fighting, personal safety equipment, man overboard, emergency equipment, meteorology, seasickness, helmsmanship, general duties, manners and customs, rules of the road, dinghies
Ability after the course - Able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines
A course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.
Learn to skipper a short passage withthe instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety. Experience being in charge, taking credit when it all goes well and being responsible when it doesn't
Before this course, if you are not sure that your sailing is up to speed, a good way to learn in on an RYA Level 2 dinghy course. This will teach you to sail around a course and control the boat's speed
If it's help with navigation that you need, you should take our Day Skipper shorebased course (see Navigation and seamanship theory on the left)
The Day Skipper course can be taken in tidal or non-tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly.
Pre-course experience: 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht
Assumed knowledge: Basic navigation and helmsmanship. It is recommended you attend the Day Skipper shorebased course beforehand
Minimum duration: 5 days, 3 weekends or 3 days plus 2 days
Minimum age: 16
Course content - Preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, passage making, night cruising
Advanced skippering techniques for yachtsmen and women with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation, wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night.
Like the Day Skipper course, this course consists of skippered passages in a variety of situations. Each trainee will skipper more challenging passages and learn more about passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations.
It is a satisfying but intensive week, with candidates often working towards a Certificate of Competence.
Most centres will expect you to complete the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased course beforehand as there is insufficient time to teach you theory during the week.
Coastal Skippers should be able to undertake more difficult passages by day and night and handle the yacht in more demanding conditions. By the end of the course you should have the knowledge, if not the experience, to become a Yachtmaster.
The course can be taken in tidal or non-tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly.
Pre-course experience: 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours.
Assumed knowledge Boat handling to the standard of Day Skipper and navigation to shorebased Coastal Skipper
Minimum duration: 5 days
Minimum age:17
Course content: Passage planning, Preparation for sea, Pilotage, Passage making and ability as skipper, Yacht handling under power, Yacht handling under sail, Adverse weather conditions, Emergency situations
Ability after the course: Able to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night
An RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence is often the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence as a skipper.
Unlike other courses in the cruising programme, there is no formal training to complete in order to become a Yachtmaster. Instead, provided that you have sufficient experience and seatime, you can put yourself forward for an exam to test your skills and knowledge.
Many Yachtmaster candidates choose to book themselves into an RYA training centre for some tailor-made tuition to prepare them for the exam, but this is not compulsory.
Please see the RYA Exams page for more information