Skipper’s Skills Weekend

The Skipper’s Skills Weekend is a practical sailing masterclass designed for qualified skippers and aspiring yacht owners who want to build confidence taking charge of a yacht in real cruising conditions. The weekend focuses on the practical challenges faced by skippers once formal qualifications have been completed, helping bridge the gap between holding a certificate and feeling genuinely confident in command of a yacht.

Unlike a standard RYA training course, the emphasis is on practical decision making, skipper confidence and real-world seamanship. Throughout the weekend, students take responsibility for passage planning, crew organisation, pilotage and yacht handling under the guidance of experienced instructors. Training is adapted to the needs and experience of those onboard, allowing focused coaching in areas where confidence may still be developing.

The course is particularly valuable for newly qualified Day Skippers, yacht owners and sailors preparing to charter or skipper independently for the first time. Typical exercises include marina manoeuvres, pilotage, anchoring, tidal planning, passage execution and practical crew management in the busy tidal waters of the Solent.

By the end of the weekend, participants typically leave with greater confidence in their own judgement, improved practical handling skills and a clearer understanding of how to manage both yacht and crew safely and effectively.

This masterclass is best suited to sailors with previous practical sailing experience, ideally at RYA Day Skipper level or above. It is particularly valuable for newly qualified skippers, yacht owners and sailors preparing for independent cruising or chartering.