Sailing Courses
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Sailing Courses |
This is the basic introductory course for both the complete beginner and those who have some experience of either dinghy sailing or cruising.
The course is planned to give you as much fun and enjoyment as possible. While you cruise you will learn about safety at sea and will be given lots of opportunities to master the seamanship skills of steering, changing sails, reefing and tying the essential knots.
Living onboard throughout the course, each night is spent in a new place, allowing you to experience the delights of a real cruise. You will visit many of the quiet creeks, bustling fishing ports, anchorage's and yacht harbours of the Solent and south coast of England and in the evenings there is time to relax and reflect on the events of the day.
By the end of this course the successful Competent Crew will have sufficient knowledge and skill to be a useful and able crew member.
Duration 5 Days or 3 Weekends
This elementary course requires no previous knowledge, but some practical experience is desirable. Attending the Day Skipper Theory course is the first step towards becoming a Yachtmaster.
In our modern purpose built classroom in Merton you will learn the basics of navigation, pilotage, weather, rules of the road and how to plan your first passage. This course will give you all of the navigation and theoretical knowledge required to move on towards Day Skipper practical course and Day Skipper qualification.
Duration 5 Days or 3 Weekends
Previous experience necessary - 5 Days sailing, 100 miles, 4 night hours plus knowledge up to Day Skipper shore based standard.
On this course you will learn the basic practical skippering techniques. Completion of a Day Skipper theory course beforehand will greatly enhance the value of this practical course, although it is possible to study the syllabus at home if you wish.
Each person is given the opportunity to navigate and take control of the yacht on short coastal passages. Your instructor is there to ensure that your first, perhaps hesitant steps as skipper are taken in safety.
During the course, you will be given the opportunity to practice your boat handling in a variety of mooring situations, and whilst at sea your instructor will cover subjects such as watch keeping, deck work, sail trim and how to cope in emergency situations.
A skipper is totally responsible for the management of a yacht, so the course also includes meteorology, basic engine checks, passage planning, preparing the yacht for sea, and rules of the road. In addition, night sailing is undertaken to give you a taste of pilotage in the dark.
By the end of this course the successful Day Skipper will be able to undertake short coastal passages by day, in both tidal and non-tidal waters. Successful completion of this course means that you can charter one of our Westerly Fulmars.
Duration 5 Days or 3 Weekends
Previous experience necessary - This course assumes that you are a qualified Day Skipper or have equivalent experience.
This is an advanced navigation course for those who wish to take the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate. We assume that you are already qualified as a Day Skipper and although there is some time set aside for the revision of subjects covered in the elementary course you should arrive with a good understanding of the basics.
On this course you will cover more complex aspects of navigation at sea including how to work out secondary tidal heights, position fixing, navigation in restricted visibility, passage planning and the capabilities and limitations of electronic navigation aids.
5 Days or 3 weekends
Previous experience necessary - You should have a knowledge up to Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster shorebased standard. Practical ability to Day Skipper level, 15 days onboard (2 days as skipper), 300 miles, 8 night hours. Examination candidates should hold a VHF Radio Operator's Certificate or a Short Range Certificate.
This is the course for more advanced skippers who have a practical ability to Day Skipper level, a knowledge up to Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster theory standard, and have spent a minimum of 15 days onboard (2 days as skipper) and 300 miles.
The course concentrates on the techniques and skills required to skipper a yacht on passages involving more complex decision making, cruise planning, navigation, and pilotage. A passage of longer duration, with particular emphasis placed on watch keeping techniques will usually be undertaken to demonstrate how to manage the yacht on such a passage.
In addition, you will be given the opportunity to improve your close quarters boat handling skills under power and sail. Preparation of the yacht for heavy weather cruising and navigation in restricted visibility is also discussed and practiced.
By the end of this course the successful Coastal Skipper will have sufficient knowledge to skipper a yacht safely on long coastal and offshore passages by day and night, in both tidal and non-tidal waters.
This course is suitable those who wish to go on to take the RYA DoT Coastal Skipper examination. Candidates must also hold either a VHF Radio Operator's Certificate or a Short Range Certificate.
5 Days or 3 weekends - RYA course completion certificate; plus weekend examination by an independent examiner if the full RYA/DoT Coastal Skipper certificate of competency is required.