The RYA Competent Crew Course (Sail or Power)
Basic seamanship and helmsmanship.
This course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers. 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 routines on board.
The minimum duration is 5 days, taken as a 5 day course or over 3 x 2 days or 3 days plus 2 days. If you have previously completed the Start Yachting course, the Competent Crew course can be completed in 3 or 4 days.
The RYA Day Skipper Course (Sail or Power)
Pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation.
This five day course gives you the chance to take charge on short passages under instruction. You will concentrate on pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation. The course can be taken in tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly.
You should already have a basic knowledge of navigation and helmsmanship. It is advisable that you take the Day Skipper shore-based course before attending this practical course. It is recommended that you have already sailed with others for 5 days, 100 miles, including 4 night hours onboard a boat.
By the end of the course you should be able to competently skipper a small boat in familiar waters by day.
The minimum duration for Sail is 5 days, taken as a 5 day course or as a 3 x 2 days or 3 days plus 2 days. The minumum duration for Power is 4 days, taken as a 4 day course or as a 2 x 2 days.
International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
This examination is completed in one day as part of your own boat tuition. Depending upon your existing experience, the ICC is taken after a one or two day preparation course.
The RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Skipper Course (Sail or Power)
Passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations.
This is a five-day advanced skippering course for those who have considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation, and want to undertake coastal passages by day and night. Each trainee will skipper more challenging passages and learn more about passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations. The course will be taken in tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly.
You should already be comfortable with boat handling to the standard of the Day Skipper practical sail cruising course and have navigation to the standard of the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster shorebased course.
On satisfactory completion of the course you will receive the RYA Coastal Course Completion Certification. The RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence is only available by examination by an RYA Examiner for which a 6th day is usually required.
By the end of the course you should be able to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night.
The minimum duration is 5 days usually taken as 5 continuous days, followed by a 6th day if you are taking the exam.
The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Preparation (Sail or Power)
There are many ways to achieve this level, much depending upon your time commitments. We believe that this is not something to be rushed, but by joining our unique integrated training and sailing programme we will take you through the various stages at your own pace, ensuring that you achieve your Yachtmaster certification, but equally important you are a highly competent, safe and knowledgeable Yachtmaster that others will have every confidence in.
The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence is by examination and usually requires a 6th day.
Please speak to our Chief Instructor to discuss your goals.
Own Boat Tuition
Whether buying your own boat and requiring a familiarization period of instruction to give you the skill and confidence to handle the boat properly, or needing to obtain an ICC for insurance or chartering purposes, or would like to do YM preparation and examination on your boat, we are able to assist. Please call to discuss.
Workshops
These are a great opportunity to hone the skills that you know you would benefit from instruction and practise. Whether it is Man Over Board, Rigs & Rigging, Sail Repairs, Sail Trimming, Ferry Gliding, Anchoring, Night Sailing, Port Entry, Navigation, Electronics on board,VHF, etc., we run these workshops throughout the year.
Please speak to our Chief Instructor to discuss your goals.
Course Dates
Yachtmaster Coastal/Yachtmaster Offshore Courses — Port Hamble Marina:
- 10.30 Monday, 12th April to 18.00 Friday, 17th April, plus exam day (if required) 18th April
- 10.30 Monday 27th September to 18.00 Friday 1st October, plus exam day (if required) 2nd October
Additional courses will be provided subject to demand.
To pass the RYA Coastal Skipper practical you do not necessarily need to have the Yachtmaster theory, but you will be expected to demonstrate the application of the theory during the course, and therefore it is strongly recommended that you obtain your Yachtmaster theory first.
The cost for a 5 day long course is £595 per person, including all training notes, food and any marina fees. A 6th day for examination is an additional £50 per person. The RYA examination fee (payable to the examiner) is £135 for YM Coastal and £170 for YM Offshore.
RYA Day Skipper and Competent Crew Courses — Port Hamble Marina:
- 10.30 Monday 8th March to 18.00 Friday 12th March
- 10.30 Sunday 16th May to 18.00 Thursday 20th May
- 10.30 Monday 21st June to 18.00 Friday 25th June
- 10.30 Monday 19th July to 18.00 Friday 23rd July
- 10.30 Monday 25th October to 18.00 Friday 29th October
- 10.30 Monday 15th November to 18.00 Friday 19th November
- 10.30 Monday 6th December to 18.00 Friday 10th December
The 5 day Day Skipper and Competent Crew Courses cost £475 per person and all breakfasts, lunches, snacks and drinks are included.
For the Day Skipper course you should ideally have already done the theory by the time you start, but we will accept those who have the theory well underway. No theory is required for the Competent Crew Course. On satisfactory completion of the course you will receive your RYA Competence Crew or Day Skipper Certificate.
