RYA Competent Crew – Learn to Sail in the Solent

The RYA Competent Crew course is the ideal starting point if you want to learn how to sail. Designed for complete beginners as well as those with dinghy experience, this hands-on sailing course introduces you to the fundamentals of crewing a yacht while exploring the stunning waters of the Solent and South Coast.

Why Choose the RYA Competent Crew Course?

You’ll live aboard throughout, gaining real experience of sail cruising. Under the guidance of our qualified instructors you’ll learn essential skills such as steering, sail handling, reefing, rope work and the all-important safety drills. From tying the right knots to recovering a man overboard, every day brings new confidence on the water. By the end, you’ll be confident as an active and valuable crew member aboard any cruising yacht.

The course can be completed as a five-day block or spread across several weekends to fit your schedule.

What You’ll Learn

During the course, you’ll gain experience in:

  • Sail handling – hoisting, trimming, reefing and safe winch use

  • Helmsmanship – steering under sail and power, compass work

  • Safety at sea – man overboard recovery, fire precautions, emergency drills

  • Ropework – handling warps, fenders, and the eight essential knots

  • Living aboard – watch-keeping, teamwork, and seamanship etiquette

The Solent – Your Training Ground

Each day you’ll sail to a new destination - from peaceful creeks and quiet anchorages to lively fishing harbours and marinas. Evenings are spent relaxing on board or ashore, enjoying the social side of sailing while reflecting on the day’s sailing.

By the end of the course you will be a confident and useful member of any yacht crew - the perfect introduction to the freedom of cruising, And you'll have an RYA Competent Crew certificate to show for it!

Course Details

  • Duration: 5 consecutive days, or weekends

  • Pre-course experience: None required

  • Knowledge assumed: None

  • Minimum age: 12 (recommended)

  • Teaching ratio: Maximum 5 students per instructor

  • Accommodation: On board the yacht

  • Meals: All meals onboard are included and great quality too!

Not included:

  • Mooring fees (shared between students)

  • Optional Evening meal ashore (one night on a 5-day course)

  • Wet weather gear hire (£7.50/day)

  • Optional course books & logbooks (available to purchase)

  • All other meals are included - and the food on board is great

 

rya teaching establishment

  • Having fun on an RYA Competent Crew course
  • Learning the ropes
  • RYA Competent Crew Course
  • Competent Crew on the helm
  • Competent Crew students on the foredeck
  • Competent Crew - Pricking up a mooring buoy
  • RYA Competent Crew - Solent
Availability & Dates

RYA Competent Crew Itinerary (5-Day Example)

Day 1 – Welcome & Introduction
Safety briefing, yacht familiarisation, ropes and rigging, steering under power, mooring practice, sail handling, man overboard drill, evening in a Solent harbour.

Day 2 – Short Passage & Night Sailing
Weather forecast practice, mooring drills, compass steering, anchoring, helicopter hi-line demonstration, night sail (conditions permitting).

Day 3 – Passage Planning & Seamanship
Passage planning, helming, sail trim, emergency procedures, dinghy drills, meteorology.

Day 4 – Harbour Entries & Practice
Multiple port entries, sailing on different points of sail, extended practical sessions.

Day 5 – Final Sail & Debrief
Comprehensive practice, return to Hamble, yacht clean down, debrief and awarding of RYA Competent Crew certificates.

The Competent Crew course syllabus

  • Nautical terms & yacht parts – understanding rigging, sails and skipper’s commands.

  • Sail handling – hoisting, trimming, reefing and safe winch use.

  • Ropework – securing a yacht, handling warps, tying essential knots (8 core knots).

  • Fire safety – risks, precautions, and emergency actions.

  • Personal safety equipment – correct use of lifejackets, harnesses and tethers.

  • Man overboard recovery – supporting the skipper in safe recovery.

  • Emergency equipment – flares, liferafts, VHF Mayday procedure.

  • Seamanship & customs – etiquette in harbour, flag use, courtesy to other crews.

  • Environmental awareness – correct waste disposal and protecting the marine environment.

  • Rules of the road – maintaining a proper lookout at sea.

  • Dinghy handling – rowing and safe loading of the tender.

  • Meteorology – using forecasts and understanding the Beaufort scale.

  • Seasickness – maintaining effectiveness at sea.

  • Helmsmanship – steering under sail and power, compass work, sail trim.

  • General duties – domestic and deck responsibilities as part of crew life.

Completion of the course demonstrates you can play a full and active role aboard a cruising yacht.

rya teaching establishment

Step 1 Select your course duration

This course is available in the following durations

You will need to attend a total of 5 days to complete this course

Step 2 Select your dates

Please select your course duration

Step 2 Add participant(s)

Please select your course duration