Challenge rating
£519 (5 days)
£627 (3 weekends)
per person
(See payment terms at bottom of page)
This course gives you the chance to take charge of a sailing yacht on short passages under instruction. You will concentrate on pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation. If you are buying or already own a yacht, this is a must do course.
The best skippers are also highly competent and confident crew. If you have not crewed a sailing yacht before then you should enrole on a Competent Crew course or obtain equivalent crewing experience before attempting to skipper a yacht.
By the end of this course, you should feel confident to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.
The minimum course duration is five days or three weekends.
During your time aboard, you will be living in the most spacious and luxurious sea school yacht in the region with separate living, sleeping and toilet/shower facilities. You will receive expert tuition from one of our experienced qualified RYA Instructors who is there not only to teach you but to ensure you have a most enjoyable time. Each night we will stay in a different marina with each one having excellent shoreside toilet and shower facilities. Domestic duties are shared by all on board and at the end of each course we ask you to help clean the yacht ready for the next crew.
The course fee includes full board for the duration of your course, tuition, wet weather and safety gear so there is nothing else to pay whilst on board.
When you have successfully completed the course syllabus you will receive a completion certificate. If you have enjoyed your sailing tuition then after gaining further sailing experience you might like to consider advanced skippering by enrolling on one of our Coastal Skipper shorebased courses followed by a Coastal Skipper practical course.
A minimum of 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht.
An understanding of basic navigation and helmsmanship. You should have attended a Day Skipper shorebased course and Competent Crew course before taking this practical course.
Haven Marina, Ipswich, East Anglia
Each course lasts 5 days (5 nights on board) or 3 weekends (6 nights on board)
Other dates may be available subject to demand so please contact us if your preferred dates are not listed.
Note that you will need to join the yacht the evening before the course start date for a pre-course briefing.
Tuition, accommodation and meals, fuel, harnesses and life jackets, wet weather gear. If you have any special dietary requirements please contact us. Dinner Friday/Sunday evening is not included.
The minimum age is 14 years and students under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. To operate within the safety parameters of the life saving equipment on board the maximum weight is 18 stone. No smoking on board.
To ensure full participation by all, numbers will be limited to a maximum of 5 students per course (usually 4).
Non-marking soft soled shoes or sailing boots (sorry but Wellington or garden boots are not suitable). Wet weather gear if you have any (we can supply some if you don't). A hat or cap. Sailing gloves. Change of clothing (It can get chilly out on the water so several layers of clothing are best rather than fewer thick layers). Please pack all items in a soft sports type bag that can be easily stowed
During a 5 day course we may go abroard so please bring your Passport (and Visa for France or Belgium if necessary), EU Health Insurance card if you have one, cash for any purchases ashore in Sterling and Euros. Sun block, sun glasses, camera, sleeping bag and pillow case (we provide a pillow), wash gear and bath towel, G15 log book if you have one.
If this course has to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, you will be offered an alternative date. Sailing requires a degree of physical exertion so if you have any doubts concerning your fitness please make us aware. Please consult your pharmacist or doctor if you require seasickness medication. There are toilet facilities on board. Please be aware that your instructor will need to be satisfied that you have demonstrated the appropriate level of competence before a course completion certificate will be awarded. Attending a course does not automatically result in a course completion certificate being issued. If for any reason you do not meet the required standard your instructor will provide you with an action plan identifying areas for improvement.
A deposit is required of £100 for a 5-day course and £50 for a weekend course when booking. The balance is due 4 weeks prior to the course date. To proceed, click the Buy and Book button above. If you have already paid a deposit and you wish to pay the balance, click here. We are sorry but vouchers must be paid for in full.
If you are new to yachting, start with something on the green scale.
If you are more experienced then go for amber or red.