Sail Cruising Courses

Sail cruising courses

Our practical and theory courses will take you from complete beginner to capable skipper and beyond

Sail cruising courses

Stepping into the world of sailing for the first time is exciting and exhilarating. The courses in the RYA Yachtmaster training scheme will help you learn to sail and build confidence, become a useful crew member and even learn how to skipper a sailing yacht and manage it’s crew. 

Most courses can be taken either on your own or with friends and family, including children provided they meet our minimum age recommendations. There are also flexible options allowing you to do the course in one go or split over several days or weekends. 

Our sail 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. 

So whether you’re new to boat ownership, want to charter a yacht on holiday, or to venture further offshore – there’s an RYA course for every level. 

Practical courses

Our practical on-the-water courses build confidence, teaching you everything from basic terminology and safety tips to how to skipper a yacht and manage its crew. You can enter at any level, provided you have the correct level of experience. 

Competent Crew And Day Skipper Course Crew Sat On Boat Edge

Start Sailing

Cruising Level 1 - This course provides a short introduction to sailing for novices. By the end of the course, you will have a basic understanding of Yacht handling under sail including practical techniques and background knowledge. Whilst there is a small element of the syllabus focussed on slipping and coming alongside the primary focus is the sails. Can be run in conjunction with the Basic Skills course.

Start Yachting

This course provides a short introduction to sail cruising for novices. By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board. This course is perfect for someone wanting to start their journey to becoming a useful crew member.

Basic Skills

Cruising Level 2 - This course is designed to get you started on your journey to feeling confident manoeuvring a sailing yacht under sail in light winds. It will focus on developing and honing the skills you learnt in level 1 and introducing areas of safety like recovery of a casualty in the water and anchoring. Both the Level 1 and Level 2 courses can be combined. This course is great for families or individuals who wish to improve their existing yacht handling skills under sail.

Competent Crew

This 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 day to day routines.

Day Skipper

This course can either be delivered on a sail or motor boat the course is the first course in the scheme that focuses on how to become the skipper of a sail or 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 Sail or 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 sail or motor cruiser safely by day in familiar waters. There is also an introduction to night cruising.

Coastal Skipper

This course can either be delivered on a sail or motor boat. 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 sail cruising practical courses and will take your knowledge and confidence to the next level.

Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Chartwork, Holding Compass Over Map

Training resources, books and charts laid out on a desk

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.

Marine Radio (SRC)

Get qualified to use a handheld or fixed marine VHF radio with our course and exam.

Yachtmaster Ocean Theory

Unravel the mysteries of astro navigation, using a sextant, ocean passage planning, worldwide meteorology and electronic navigation aids.

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.

Competent Crew And Day Skipper Course Crew Working Together

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal

You are capable of coastal passages

Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Chartwork

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

RYA Books

With more than 100 different titles to choose from, there’s an RYA book, eBook or audiobook for every age, interest and ability. Visit our webshop for course books and a range of supporting titles.

young boy steering boat with help from instructor

Under 16s

Sailing is great fun for all ages and there are plenty of opportunities for young people to get involved. Check our course descriptions for minimum age recommendations.

Seafarer holidays boat sailing in calm blue waters

Cruising abroad (ICC)

If you want to cruise outside of the UK you are likely to need an ICC. RYA course completion certificates can be used as evidence of your competence.

Working with RYA qualifications

Find out more about commercial endorsements, professional qualifications and what it takes to work on the water.