Confidence is a very personal thing and whilst some people exude it, others fall behind through fear of the unknown. Sailing may take a life time to master but the basics can be acquired by most people in a relatively short period of time. When taught correctly every person is capable of increasing confidence, knowledge and new skills, so no matter what level you are currently at, we can make you better!
RYA guidelines for pre-course experience are listed below but these are recommendations only and will depend greatly on each individual. Sailing requires plenty of patience and unfortunately there is no quick fix to learning, our recommendation is to be realistic in matching your experience to expectations, that way you avoid putting yourself under pressure that ultimately detracts from your learning experience.
Practical and seamanship courses Guide
|
Course
|
Start
Yachting |
Competent
Crew |
Day Skipper |
Coastal Skipper |
|
Suggested
minimum
experience
|
None
|
None
|
5 days sea time
100 miles
4 night hours
|
15 days sea time
(2 days as Skipper)
300 miles
8 night hours
|
|
Assumed
knowledge
|
None
|
None
|
Navigation to Day skipper shorebased and basic sailing
|
Navigation to Coastal Skipper theory standard, sailing to Day Skipper practical standard or above
|
|
Course Content
|
Introduction to sailing and seamanship
|
Basic Seamanship, Helmsmanship, navigation and meteorology
|
Basic pilotage, boat handling and watch organisation
|
Skipper techniques and passsage planning
|
|
Ability after course
|
Basic sailing experience
|
Useful crew member
|
Skipper small yacht in familiar waters by day
|
Skipper a yacht on Coastal passages by day and night
|
|
Minimum duration
|
2 days
|
5 days
|
5 days
|
5 days
|
Certificates of Competence courses Guide
| Course |
Yachtmaster Coastal Yachtmaster |
Yachtmaster Offshore practical |
Yachtmaster Ocean practical |
|
Previous experience & minimum sea time
|
30 days at sea
(2 days as Skipper)
800 miles
12 night hours
|
50 days at sea
(5 days as Skipper)
2500 miles
5 passages > 60 miles
2 overnight and 2 as Skipper
|
Ocean passage as Skipper or mate of watch
|
|
Form of examination
|
practical exam
|
practical exam
|
Oral assessment of sights taken at sea and passage overview
|
|
Certification required before examination
|
VHF *SRC licence
1st Aid certificate |
VHF *SRC licence
1st Aid certificate |
RYA/MCA certificates
Yachtmaster Offshore
Yachtmaster Ocean
shorebased courses |
|
Minimum duration
|
8/10 hours - 1 candidate
8/14 hours - 2 candidates
|
8/10 hours - 1 candidate
8/14 hours - 2 candidate
|
Normally around 1½ hours
|
Still not clear on which course is for you? or maybe you fall between the levels or are simply unsure, please e-mail our course advisor, or Skype call / Instant Message: gonsail
or call Debbie on 0034 968 143 718 / 695 326 184 and put your mind at rest.
| 
