RYA Competent Crew Course
The RYA Competent Crew course is the perfect starting point for anyone new to sailing. Designed for complete beginners, this hands-on course introduces you to the world of cruising and teaches you how to become a valuable and active crew member on board a yacht. Over the course, you’ll learn essential seamanship skills including sail handling, ropework, helming under sail and power, keeping lookout, and safety at sea.
You’ll live aboard the yacht for the duration of the course, experiencing life at sea while visiting different harbours and anchorages along the coast. By the end of the course, you’ll feel confident to contribute to the running of a yacht under the guidance of a skipper and will be well prepared for further RYA training.
Competent Crew Course Format
The RYA Competent Crew course is a practical, hands-on training experience typically delivered over five consecutive days aboard a cruising yacht. Living on board throughout the course, you’ll become part of a small crew and learn by doing—taking part in everything from helming and sail handling to mooring, ropework, and safety procedures. Under the guidance of a qualified instructor, the course follows a relaxed and supportive format, ideal for beginners looking to build confidence through real experience at sea.
There is often a mix of abilities on board, with some students working towards their Day Skipper qualification. This gives you a valuable insight into the next stage of your sailing journey, helping you understand what’s involved in progressing to skippering your own yacht.
Key Highlights:
✅ No previous sailing experience required
✅ Learn sail handling, ropework, helming, and lookout duties
✅ Introduction to nautical terms and basic seamanship
✅ Experience living aboard and exploring new destinations
✅ Gain the skills to be a useful and confident crew member
✅ Gain the skills to be a useful and confident crew member
✅ The RYA Competent Crew course is fun, practical, and a great way to start your sailing journey.
How to book:
Booking is easy, Select the preferred course format below then pick the date that suits you its as easy as that, alternatively you can scroll through the calendar and find dates that way.
If you can't find dates to suit you please get in touch, we can always add bespoke dates to suit our customers
With small group sizes and RYA-qualified instructors, we ensure plenty of personal coaching and hands-on experience — giving you the practical confidence to take charge of your own adventures. We generally operate a 3:1 ratio, students to instructor. If you are a group or a Family we will operate upto 5:1 by special request.
On successful completion, you’ll be awarded the RYA Competent Crew certificate.
Your next steps are entirely up to you. Many students choose to build on their new skills by spending more time on the water, with one of our mile builder courses being a popular option to gain further experience and confidence. Alternatively, you may decide to progress towards your Day Skipper qualification. In this case, it is recommended to complete the Day Skipper theory course (or have equivalent knowledge) before moving on to the practical course.
What's Included
- Professional Skipper / Instructor
- A modern performance / crusing yacht with the latest navigation equipment
- A full sail wardrobe
- Accommodation on board (own cabin option available at request)
- Waterproof clothing
- All food for breakfast & lunches, snacks & Hot drinks (Evening meals taken ashore at own cost)
- Mooring fees and fuel
- Safety equipment
- All charts and publications
- A great time with plenty of learning
