LEARN THE ROPES THIS SUMMER
This course aims to take you from novice, to valuable member of the crew, with the help of one of our excellent instructors. It’s suitable for complete beginners or those with limited experience who want to get a solid grounding of the basics.
What does our Competent Crew course entail?
You’ll live on a yacht, spending a week cruising around the sunny Ionian Islands. Along the way you’ll learn sail handling and trimming, nautical terms, useful knots, and how to steer the boat on a compass course. The course is good fun and a great way to learn how to sail!
Start from the beginning...
Never set foot on a boat before? No worries! This sailing course is designed for complete beginners. You will learn how to steer the boat under sail and engine, how to work the sails, how to set them correctly, mooring procedures and lots more.
Learn important skills
You’ll walk away with important safety skills such as how to use a dinghy, how to operate life jackets, life-rafts, and how to assist the recovery of a man overboard - exactly what every skipper needs in a good crew.
Build your confidence
Our fantastic instructors - chosen for their personality and experience, along with their sailing skill - will help to build your confidence as a crew member. Every skipper needs a good crew...without you the yacht is going nowhere!
RYA Course Details
Pre-Course Experience Requirements
No previous sailing experience is required to undertake the competent crew qualification. There is no minimum age requirement, however, the RYA recommend a minimum age of 12 years old. Children under 12 looking to undertake the competent crew course need to be large enough and strong enough to use the yacht’s equipment effectively.
*Special requests and medical conditions/disability/reduced mobility - please read page 6 of our booking conditions.
RYA Courses for young children
If you wish your child to take part, but worry they may not be capable of participating fully, never fear! They will either be awarded a Competent Crew Certificate or an RYA Start Sailing Certificate for younger sailors. So there is no excuse not to give it a go! Feel free to call us on 020 8459 8787 if you wish to discuss bringing younger children.
Getting prepared
The package includes our online Competent Crew theory course. This takes you through the language of sailing, knot-work and theory. After completing the theory course you’ll arrive on the yacht confident and prepared for your week of sailing.
Pre-course Material
Included in each course we provide access to a unique online training provided by Corfu Sea School. This gives you the opportunity to learn some of the necessary theoretical and practical skills even before leaving the comfort of your home. The course is RYA approved, and is designed for students who cannot afford the time to attend lengthy shore-based classes. You will also be sent the RYA Competent Crew course book to read before you arrive in Greece.
Course Schedule
Sunday: Arrival Day - students can arrive at any time during the day, instructors will be available to meet and greet at Blue Bar from 12pm.
Monday – Friday: Training, generally 8.30 – 5/6 pm. Friday evening - Certificates awarded and instructor disembarks training yacht.
Saturday: Relaxed day in Gouvia Marina for students - this is a great opportunity to explore Corfu town, go to the beach or relax by the pool at Blue Bar.
Sunday: - Students disembark training yacht by 8.30 am.
Our specialised training yachts & accommodation
Our courses are taught on our dedicated training boats, three Beneteau 393's. These are spacious modern cruising yachts, set up exclusively for teaching, equipped with all the essentials.
On board equipment
The yachts are furnished with modern instruments such as GPS, chart-plotter, Navtex and wireless wind, speed, and depth transducers. They have modern galleys which include a double sink, large fridge, and oven. Each boat is fitted with clean, modern heads and a holding tank.
Food & Drink
All breakfasts and lunches are included in the cost of the course, as well as two evening meals cooked on board. Greece is blessed with an abundance of tavernas, and there will be lots of opportunities to eat on-shore. If you have any special dietary requirements just let us know.
Showers, Linen & Towels
One bath sized towel per person, all bed linen, pillows and duvets are included. So, there is no need to bring along that most glamorous of items - required for many a training course in the UK - a sleeping bag. There is a shower on board, and the course often stops in ports that have showers and facilities ashore.
RYA Competent Crew - From £1095
• 7 nights aboard the yacht, with 5 days full tuition, Monday - Friday
• Tuition from one of our brilliant instructors
• Online training provided by Corfu Sea School
• RYA course materials and Logbook
• Breakfasts, lunches and 2 dinners on board
• Fuel, water and marina fees
• Bed linen and towels
• Waterproof jackets
• Sunshine and swim stops
Flights to Corfu and/or local airport transfers can be arranged by Sailing Holidays, we will be happy to assist and quote for your requirements. alternatively you can make your own way to Gouvia Marina.
VHF Short Range Certificate - £120 per person
Why not add the VHF certificate to your course? This can be easily added to any RYA course. It is now a requirement to charter a boat in Croatia that at least one person on board has a VHF certificate. Make yourself a truly invaluable crew member with this short course.
Combining an RYA Course and Flotilla Holiday
Simply ask at the time of booking. You will be able to combine an RYA course with our One Week Paxos Flotilla, One week Highlights of the South Ionian Flotilla or our Two Week Whole Ionian Flotilla.
Combining an RYA Course and a Yacht Charter Holiday
Our independent yacht charter holidays do not include flights as standard but these can be arranged. If you are looking to combine your RYA course with a yacht charter in the Ionian Islands simply ask about this at the time of booking.
Which flotillas can I pair my RYA course with?
One Week Paxos Flotilla
Two Week Whole Ionian Flotilla
Two Week Faraway Islands Flotilla
What are the next steps?
Like the sound of our RYA courses? Check out the options below for taking the next step to becoming a qualified skipper or crew member. Choose between booking a course with family and friends or booking a berth on board a shared course boat.
Get in touch
Still not sure which RYA course is for you? Get in touch with one of our team in the London Office. We have all been on the boats, know the instructors and most of us have even done the courses ourselves! Charlie is our RYA specialist so, if you have a burning question, he is your man.
Join a training yacht
For the RYA courses you can simply book a berth on our school yacht, sharing the yacht with other students (you won’t be obliged to share a berth with someone you don’t know of course). The maximum ratio of participants to instructors, on each yacht, will be 4:1 (often 3:1).
Book a private course
Why not book a whole boat and a private instructor? With three or more of you embarking on a course there are no additional costs to pay. If you are a couple or two friends and would like a private course, you can pay an additional fee to have the instructor all to yourselves.
