Learning to Sail with the RYA
If you want to sail, the RYA has two different ways to start boating:
The Sail Cruising Scheme lets you find out what it’s like aboard a big yacht.
You will learn how to crew and then combine your shore-based theory work with practical experience, learning how to skipper a large yacht.
But perhaps you still have questions about how to trim the sails. Or, you might feel that you need more practice sailing onto a mooring. You may not yet feel confident about sailing without an instructor on board. In other words – you need more practice with boat handling skills!
By contrast, the National Sailing Scheme develops your practical sailing skills. Right from the beginning, you learn to ‘tack’ and ‘gybe’. You start to be aware of wind direction and how to set your sails appropriately. It takes you from a complete beginner to an advanced sailor, offering a series of ten well-structured courses. The introductory three are:
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Level 1 Start Sailing
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Level 2 Basic Skills
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Level 3 Better Sailing
Small Boat Sailing can be taught in dinghies, keel boats or multi-hulls. We think that many adults will find learning the basics of sailing most comfortable in a keel boat. These small yachts do not capsize when things don't go as planned!
We teach Small Boat Sailing on Morecambe Bay in a 22ft training keel boat. This is a small yacht without B & B! It is half-way between a dinghy and a cruising yacht. Having learnt the basics on a keel boat, you then have the option of moving up to cruisers (larger yachts) or down to dinghies.
Most sailing clubs will have an active dinghy racing programme and there are often owners needing crew. Some clubs also have a cruiser racing series and as a competent sailor you will possibly find crewing opportunities there also. You can build up your sailing experience this way, without needing to buy your own boat. But when the time comes to buy, you will have a much better idea of the type of boat you want.
After taking keel boat levels 1, 2 & 3, you can easily transfer to the Sail Cruising Scheme, joining it at Day Skipper level. You will of course need to take the equivalent shore-based theory course first. Powerboat level 2 would also be helpful before your Day Skipper practical course, to give you more experience manoeuvring under engine.
There are several other 1-day RYA courses which you would find beneficial in your journey to becoming a good skipper:
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VHF Radio
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Diesel Engine
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First Aid
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Radar
