Motor cruising courses
Broaden your horizons and venture further afield with our motor cruising courses
Motor Cruising courses
If living on board, cruising the coast or venturing further offshore appeals, why not give motor cruising a go?
Motor cruisers have accommodation and cooking facilities on board, offering a degree of comfort while afloat. How adventurous you are is up to you!
Whether you are a beginner wanting to get to grips with your first boat, or a more experienced skipper simply wanting to increase your knowledge and confidence, there's an RYA course for you.
Our motor cruising courses can also help you progress to the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence which are recognised by maritime authorities worldwide and can be commercially endorsed for professional skippers and crew.
Whatever your goal, find out more about our motor cruising courses below.
Find a course
Practical courses
Our practical on-the-water courses build confidence, teaching you everything from basic terminology and safety tips to how to skipper a motor cruiser and manage its crew.
Start Motor Cruising
This course provides a short introduction to motor cruising for novices. By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a motor cruiser, lines and fenders when coming too and leaving a pontoon, ropework and be aware of safety on board. This course is ideal for introducing friends or family members to crewing a motor boat, and for giving them an understanding of how they can assist the helm starting their journey to becoming a useful crew member.
Helmsman
This two-day course covers basic boat handling, helmsmanship, safety and basic engine maintenance. It aims to teach boat handling & safety within a defined area. It is specific to the type of boat in which the course is carried out and is therefore particularly suitable as an own boat course for new owners of motor cruisers who are conscious of the difficulty and potential hazards of boat handling in the marina. It is useful for crews as well as skippers. Apart from the obvious safety benefits of extra boat handlers on board, it adds interest if everyone can contribute to the trip. This course is particularly popular with someone who wants to improve their boat handling or who is not normally the skipper but wants to be able to get the boat safely home or react to an emergency if the skipper is not able to do so.
Day Skipper Motor
This four-day course is the first course in the scheme that focuses on how to become the skipper of a motor cruising yacht by day. The course is designed to progress a useful crew member with some theory knowledge to be able to take charge of a motor cruising vessel on short passages under instruction. It aims to teach pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a motor cruiser safely by day in familiar waters. There is also an introduction to night cruising.
Coastal Skipper Motor
This course would be ideal for the more ambitious skipper such as the more experienced Day Skipper or those with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation wanting to expand their normal cruising ground, to improve their skills and learn to make full use of the boat on longer, more complex passages. During the course each trainee will plan and then skipper longer passages with a significant number of night hours under the guidance of the instructor.
Courses ashore
Our navigation and other specialist short courses complement the motor cruising practical courses and will take your knowledge and confidence to the next level.
Essential Navigation and Seamanship
A basic introduction to navigation for new skippers, crew or anyone interested in getting out on the water.
Day Skipper Theory
A more comprehensive course recommended for inexperienced skippers and anyone thinking of doing the Day Skipper practical course.
Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
Take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore practical exams.
Yachtmaster Ocean Theory
Unravel the mysteries of astro navigation, using a sextant, ocean passage planning, worldwide meteorology and electronic navigation aids.
Marine Radio (SRC)
Get qualified to use a handheld or fixed marine VHF radio with our course and exam.
More courses ashore...
From first aid to diesel engine, there are a number of related classroom and online courses you may find useful as you develop your knowledge.
RYA Yachtmaster® exams
An RYA Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence is the ultimate aim of aspiring skippers. It is a well known, highly respected qualification worldwide, proving your experience and competence.
RYA Yachtmaster Coastal
You are capable of coastal passages
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
You are competent to undertake passages up to 150 miles offshore
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean
You have the knowledge and experience to sail worldwide
