How to Choose the Right RYA Sailing Course

Deciding which RYA sailing course is right for you can be confusing, particularly when you are new to sailing or returning after some time away. The best course will depend on your previous experience, your confidence on board and what you would ultimately like to achieve.

You may simply want to experience sailing for the first time, become a useful member of a yacht’s crew, learn to skipper independently or work towards an advanced RYA or MCA qualification. This guide explains the main options and will help you choose the most suitable next step.

BOSS provides practical sailing courses from Hamble Point Marina on the Solent, including beginner courses, skipper training, specialist masterclasses, sailing cruises, youth programmes and intensive Fastrak training.

The RYA Sail Cruising Scheme provides a recognised progression from complete beginner through to advanced skipper and Yachtmaster qualifications.

Which RYA sailing course should I take?

As a quick guide:

• You have never sailed before and want a short introduction: choose RYA Start Yachting.
• You are a beginner and want a thorough introduction: choose RYA Competent Crew.
• You have some sailing experience and want to become a skipper: consider RYA Day Skipper.
• You already hold a qualification but need more confidence: choose a Sailing Masterclass or experience-building cruise.
• You are an experienced skipper preparing for longer passages: consider RYA Coastal Skipper.
• You want an intensive route towards professional qualifications: explore the BOSS Fastrack programmes.

RYA sailing courses for complete beginners

You do not need any previous sailing experience to begin learning aboard a cruising yacht. Most complete beginners start with either RYA Start Yachting or RYA Competent Crew.

RYA Start Yachting: a short introduction to sailing

The RYA Start Yachting course is a two-day practical weekend for people who want to try yacht sailing before committing to a longer course.

During the weekend, you will be introduced to steering, sail handling, ropework and basic safety. You will take part in running the yacht and experience what life is like aboard a cruising yacht.

This is likely to be the right course for you if:

• You have never sailed before.
• You want an enjoyable introductory weekend.
• You would like to find out whether yacht sailing is for you.
• You prefer to build your training gradually.

After completing Start Yachting, you can work towards the RYA Competent Crew certificate by completing the additional required training.

RYA Competent Crew: the best all-round beginner course

The RYA Competent Crew course is the usual starting point for people who want to develop a solid foundation in yacht sailing.

The complete course normally involves five days of practical training and can be taken as a continuous course or split across suitable weekends. No previous sailing experience or theoretical knowledge is required.

You will learn how to steer the yacht, handle sails, reef, work safely with ropes and winches, keep a lookout and assist with everyday life on board. By the end of the course, you should be able to contribute confidently as an active member of the crew.

Competent Crew is generally the better choice if you already know that you want to take up sailing, rather than simply trying it for a weekend.

What is the difference between Start Yachting and Competent Crew?

Both courses are suitable for complete beginners, but they serve slightly different purposes.

Start Yachting is a short introduction. It gives you an opportunity to experience sailing and learn a few basic skills without making a longer commitment.

Competent Crew provides more comprehensive training. It is intended for people who want to become useful and confident crew members and continue progressing through the RYA cruising scheme.

If you are unsure whether sailing is for you, Start Yachting is a sensible first step. If you already intend to pursue sailing, Competent Crew will usually provide the stronger foundation.

Which course should I take if I want to become a skipper?

RYA Day Skipper Practical Course

The RYA Day Skipper Practical Course is designed for sailors who are ready to move from being a crew member to taking charge of a yacht.

The course develops practical skippering skills, including:

• Passage planning and pilotage.
• Boat handling under sail and power.
• Marina manoeuvres, anchoring and mooring.
• Navigation and tidal planning.
• Safety procedures and emergency situations.
• Crew organisation and communication.

The recommended pre-course experience is five days at sea, 100 nautical miles and four night hours aboard a cruising yacht. You should also have navigation knowledge equivalent to the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course.

You do not necessarily need to have completed Competent Crew first, but you must possess the practical skills and experience expected at that level.

Students who need both the theory and practical training may prefer the combined RYA Day Skipper Theory and Practical Course.

Do I need a shorebased theory course?

Practical ability and navigation knowledge develop together. If your goal is to skipper a yacht, you will need to understand charts, tides, weather, pilotage, passage planning and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

The BOSS RYA shorebased courses provide the theoretical knowledge required for Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster progression.

Day Skipper students should have theoretical knowledge to Day Skipper Shorebased standard before beginning the practical course. More advanced Coastal Skipper candidates should possess knowledge to Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased standard.

I have a qualification but do not yet feel confident

Holding a certificate does not always mean that you immediately feel ready to charter a yacht, enter an unfamiliar marina or take responsibility for friends and family.

In this situation, repeating an entire qualification course may not be necessary. A focused masterclass or experience-building trip can help you practise the areas in which you feel least confident.

Sailing Masterclasses

The BOSS Sailing Masterclasses are designed for experienced crew members and qualified skippers who want to improve particular skills.

• Boat Handling Weekend: close-quarters manoeuvring, reversing, spring lines, wind, tide and marina handling.
• Sailpower: sail trim, helming technique and improving yacht performance.
• Skipper’s Skills Weekend: practical command, pilotage, crew management and confidence in real cruising situations.

These courses are particularly useful for newly qualified Day Skippers, yacht owners and sailors preparing to charter independently.

Sailing cruises and experience building

Additional time at sea can be just as valuable as another formal qualification. BOSS sailing cruises and mileage-building opportunities allow you to reinforce existing skills, visit new cruising grounds and experience longer passages.

This may be the right option if you want to build sea miles, practise watchkeeping, encounter a wider range of conditions or prepare for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster training.

Advanced training for experienced skippers

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course

The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course is intended for experienced sailors who already operate at approximately Day Skipper level.

It develops the judgement, command skills and practical ability needed to skipper a yacht on longer coastal passages by day and night. The course includes more advanced passage planning, pilotage, navigation, yacht management and decision-making.

The required pre-course experience is:

• 15 days at sea.
• Two days as skipper.
• 300 nautical miles.
• Eight night hours.
• Knowledge equivalent to the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased course.

It is also valuable preparation for sailors intending to work towards the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore examination.

Fastrak and professional sailing courses

If your objective is to retrain, begin a maritime career or obtain advanced qualifications within a structured programme, an intensive course may be more suitable than completing each stage separately.

The BOSS Fastrak sailing programmes provide intensive pathways towards Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster qualifications.

These programmes may suit:

• Aspiring professional sailors and yacht crew.
• People planning a career change or sabbatical.
• Students taking a sailing gap year.
• Experienced sailors pursuing Yachtmaster qualifications.
• People who want a structured and immersive training programme.

Which sailing course is right for a teenager?

BOSS also offers dedicated youth sailing courses for teenagers. These include beginner sailing, RYA Competent Crew, Day Skipper training and programmes that may be suitable for Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions or residential sections.

Youth courses provide age-appropriate instruction while developing practical seamanship, teamwork, confidence, independence and leadership.

Training in the Solent provides experience of tides, commercial traffic, varied harbours and changing sailing conditions, making it a valuable location in which to develop practical coastal sailing skills.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need previous experience to take an RYA sailing course?

No previous experience is needed for RYA Start Yachting or RYA Competent Crew. More advanced courses, including Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper, have recommended or required experience levels.

Can I go directly to RYA Day Skipper?

You should begin at the level appropriate to your previous sailing experience. Before attending Day Skipper Practical, you should already be able to steer, handle sails and work safely as a crew member. You will also need navigation knowledge to Day Skipper Shorebased standard. The BOSS 14-Day Fastrak to Day Skipper course is designed for those who want to build their sailing skills quickly and work towards confidently taking charge of a cruising yacht.

Which course should I take before chartering a yacht?

RYA Day Skipper is the usual objective for sailors who want to take charge of a yacht on short coastal passages. Holders of the practical certificate may also be able to apply for an International Certificate of Competence, although charter company and destination requirements should always be checked.

Should I complete theory or practical training first?

Many students complete the relevant shorebased theory course before their practical training. A combined course can also be a convenient option when you want to complete both elements within one structured programme.

What should I do if I am still unsure which course to choose?

Course names alone do not always reveal whether you have the right experience. Speaking to an experienced course adviser can prevent you from joining a course that is either too basic or too advanced.

Talk to BOSS about your next sailing course

If you are still wondering which RYA sailing course is right for you, contact BOSS and tell us about your previous sailing, qualifications, sea miles and objectives. We will help you identify the most appropriate course or experience-building option.

Call BOSS on 02380 457733 or contact our course advisers online.