Start Yachting

"I want to learn to sail"

The RYA practical courses together with the supporting navigation theory and one-day specialist courses can take the student sailor from raw beginner to Ocean Yachtmaster.

Many students do just enough to enjoy charter holidays in the sun. Sailing abroad requires an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) and a VHF Radio licence. All our practical courses include a one-day course free of charge. A Day Skipper practical certificate entitles the holder to an ICC without further on the water time.

This is a fabulous opportunity to try both yachting and Mustang Sailing at the same time. For just £175 you spend two days on one of our luxury 40' yachts taking the RYA Start Yachting course and you get an RYA one- day course of your choice to be taken at our training centre in Sussex. Choose from one of these great courses: VHF Radio Licence, RYA First Aid, RYA Sea Survival, RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety, RYA Diesel Engine and RYA Radar Course.

RYA Competent Crew Course

Taken over five or six days this course instils some of the basic crewing skills of seamanship and helmsmanship with an introduction to navigation & meteorology. There are no pre-course requirements, see the Competent Crew course page for further information and course dates.

RYA Day Skipper Course

This course has both theory and practical elements. Theory can be taken before the practical or as a combined course where both aspects of Day Skipper, theory & practical are taught together to great effect. See the Day Skipper course page for pre-course requirements.

RYA Coastal Skipper

This course also has both theory and practical elements and can be seen as a development of Day Skipper skills, leaning toward modest passage making. See the Coastal Skipper course page for pre-course requirements.

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence

An examined qualification. Normally the student will take a weeks 'prep' before taking the exam. See RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster Course course page for pre-course requirements.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence

An examined course, as above but to a higher standard. Can be commercially endorsed to enable the holder to skipper yachts up to 200gt. See the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean course page.