This course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers.

During the course your instructor will teach you all the basics of sailing a cruising yacht. This will include sail handling, helming, trimming sails, knots and rope work, mooring, anchoring, rules of the road and much more. By the end of the course you will have covered around 100 nautical miles and 4 night sailing hours. You will have gained the confidence and knowledge to make you a useful crew member on any yacht. No previous sailing experience is required.

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 and assist in all the day to day duties on board. You should also have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday.

During the course you will cover:

•  Knowledge of sea terms and parts of the boat, her rigging and sails
• Sail handling (hoisting, lowering and trimming)
• Ropework (knots and rope uses)
• Safety on board, including personal safety equipment
• Man over board drills
• Use of emergency equipment
• Rules of the road
• Sailing etiquette
• Weather
• Helmsmanship and sailing
• General crew duties

For the duration of the course you will be living on board. The RYA Competent Crew sailing course is 5 days.