RYA Start Yachting or RYA Competent Crew?

Taking up sailing can open the door to an entirely new way of travelling. Rather than simply arriving at a destination, cruising gives you the satisfaction of planning a passage, working with the wind and tide, and reaching harbours, rivers and anchorages under sail.

The good news is that you do not need to own a yacht, understand nautical terminology or have any previous sailing experience to begin.

For most people interested in cruising yachts, the two most suitable starting points are the RYA Start Yachting course and the RYA Competent Crew course. Both introduce complete beginners to sailing, but they offer different levels of commitment and experience.

BOSS Sailing runs both courses from its base at Hamble Point Marina, providing access to the varied and rewarding sailing waters of the Solent. This guide explains the difference between the courses and helps you decide which is the right starting point for you.

RYA Start Yachting: a weekend introduction to cruising

The BOSS RYA Start Yachting course is a two-day taster weekend designed for complete beginners.

It is an excellent choice when you are interested in sailing but would like to experience life aboard a cruising yacht before committing to a longer course. No previous experience is required and you will be introduced gradually to the yacht, its equipment and the way a crew works together.

During the weekend, you can expect to become involved in practical activities such as:

• steering the yacht;
• handling sails;
• using ropes correctly;
• helping with basic manoeuvres;
• understanding the principal parts of the yacht; and
• learning about safety aboard.

The emphasis is on participation. You will not simply sit and watch an instructor sail the boat. With guidance from your BOSS instructor, you will take an active part in handling the yacht and begin developing a feel for how it responds to the helm, sails, wind and tide.

The course also provides an introduction to the shared experience of cruising. Sailing a yacht involves communication, teamwork and an awareness of what is happening around you. For many beginners, discovering this social side of sailing is just as enjoyable as learning the practical skills.

The official RYA Start Yachting course information provides further details about the national course syllabus and progression route.

Who should choose Start Yachting?

The Start Yachting weekend is particularly suitable when:

• you have never sailed before and would like to try it;
• you are unsure whether cruising yachts will suit you;
• you cannot initially commit to a full five-day course;
• you are looking for an unusual and memorable weekend experience; or
• you would like to give sailing as a gift.

Completing Start Yachting does not leave you at a dead end. Those who enjoy the weekend can progress towards the RYA Competent Crew certificate by completing the remaining practical training.

This means the weekend can be both an enjoyable experience in its own right and the first stage of a longer sailing journey.

RYA Competent Crew: the complete beginner’s course

When you already know that you would like to learn to sail, the BOSS RYA Competent Crew course is normally the more comprehensive starting point.

Competent Crew is designed to turn a complete beginner into a useful, confident and involved member of a cruising yacht’s crew. It can be completed as an intensive five-day course or, on selected dates, over a series of weekends.

The additional time aboard allows you to practise each skill repeatedly and to experience more of the normal routine of cruising. Rather than receiving only an introduction, you begin to understand how the different elements of sailing fit together.

During the course, you will develop practical experience of:

• steering under sail and power;
• raising, lowering and changing sails;
• adjusting sails as the wind direction changes;
• handling ropes and mooring lines;
• tying essential sailing knots;
• keeping a lookout;
• assisting with berthing and leaving a berth;
• taking part in everyday life aboard; and
• responding safely to instructions and changing conditions.

You will also begin to understand the language used aboard a yacht. Terms that can initially sound unfamiliar quickly become clearer when they are connected to practical tasks.

The official RYA Competent Crew course information describes the course as learning through experience. That practical approach lies at the heart of BOSS training: you develop confidence by taking part, receiving guidance and then practising the skill again.

Is Competent Crew only for people who want to become skippers?

Not at all.

Many people complete Competent Crew because they want to enjoy sailing holidays, join friends aboard their yachts or take part in organised cruises. Being a capable crew member makes sailing more rewarding because you understand what is happening and can contribute properly.

Others regard Competent Crew as the beginning of a structured route towards becoming a skipper. The course establishes the essential practical foundation on which later RYA qualifications are built.

You do not need to decide at the beginning how far you intend to progress. You may discover that you simply enjoy crewing, or you may find yourself wanting to learn navigation, take command of a yacht and eventually sail longer coastal or offshore passages.

Start Yachting or Competent Crew: which should you choose?

The decision largely comes down to how certain you are about taking up sailing.

Choose RYA Start Yachting when you would like a short, enjoyable introduction before making a larger commitment. It gives you two days aboard, introduces the principal skills and allows you to find out whether cruising appeals to you.

Choose RYA Competent Crew when you already intend to pursue sailing and want to establish a more complete practical foundation. The longer course provides substantially more time to practise and should leave you better prepared to join future cruises as an active crew member.

You do not need to complete Start Yachting before attending Competent Crew. Both courses accept complete beginners. Start Yachting is the shorter taster route, while Competent Crew is the fuller entry-level course.

Why learn to sail with BOSS?

BOSS has been introducing people to yacht cruising for many years. Training takes place from Hamble Point Marina, giving students direct access to the Solent and its mixture of rivers, harbours, tidal waters and busy sailing areas.

Learning in this environment helps you experience sailing as it really is. Conditions change, other vessels must be considered and each day presents different opportunities to practise.

BOSS courses are centred on practical participation, supportive instruction and steady development. You will be encouraged to become involved while still having an experienced instructor available to explain each task and help you improve.

The aim is not merely to complete a syllabus. It is to help you finish your course feeling comfortable aboard a yacht and enthusiastic about sailing again.

What should you bring on your first sailing course?

You do not need to purchase an entire sailing wardrobe before attending your first course. Comfortable clothing worn in layers is generally the most practical approach, together with suitable footwear and protection against both rain and sunshine.

Conditions on the water can feel cooler than they do ashore, even during summer, so it is sensible to bring warm layers. BOSS will provide course-specific joining information explaining what you should pack and what equipment is available aboard.

The RNLI beginner’s guide to sailing also provides useful, independent advice about clothing, lifejackets and preparing for your first days on the water.

Most importantly, arrive prepared to participate. Sailing is learnt through involvement, so enthusiasm and a willingness to try unfamiliar tasks are more valuable than any previous knowledge.

Looking ahead: what comes after Competent Crew?

Completing Competent Crew is often the point at which sailing begins to become part of your life rather than something you have simply tried once.

The most important next step is usually to spend more time on the water. Further sailing allows you to reinforce your ropework, sail handling and helming while experiencing different weather, destinations and passage lengths.

Join a BOSS sailing cruise

BOSS sailing cruises provide an enjoyable way to build experience while exploring destinations around the UK, the Channel Islands and the French coast.

A cruise gives you opportunities to practise the skills learned during Competent Crew in the context of real passages. You can become involved in watchkeeping, passage planning, navigation, sail changes and the everyday decisions involved in running a cruising yacht.

There is also time to enjoy the destinations themselves, making a cruise a rewarding combination of sailing development, travel and relaxation.

Progress towards RYA Day Skipper

When you have gained sufficient experience and would like to begin taking charge of a yacht, the BOSS RYA Day Skipper Practical course is the natural next qualification.

Day Skipper introduces the practical skills required to plan and undertake short passages as skipper in familiar waters. Before attending, you should have appropriate practical experience and navigation knowledge, so it is important not to rush directly from your first course without consolidating your crewing skills.

Building experience after Competent Crew will make your eventual Day Skipper training more productive and enjoyable.

Read our detailed progression guide

For a fuller explanation of the available routes, read the BOSS article RYA Competent Crew – What’s Next?.

It looks at experience building, cruises and the steps towards becoming a confident skipper.

Begin your sailing journey with BOSS

Whether you choose a two-day taster weekend or the complete five-day beginner’s course, your first experience of cruising should be welcoming, practical and enjoyable.

The RYA Start Yachting weekend offers an accessible introduction for those who want to test the waters. The RYA Competent Crew course provides a more complete foundation for those ready to become active members of a yacht’s crew.

Explore the available BOSS course dates online, or telephone the BOSS team on 02380 457733 to discuss which course best matches your experience and sailing ambitions.