"Fantastic location &
instruction!"
Bay Sea School is unique in the North West. It's the 'go-to' place for adults to learn to sail on the sea on a small yacht (also called a keelboat).
This RYA Training Centre is different in other ways too. John, the Principal & Chief Instructor is no ordinary dinghy sailing instructor but a highly experienced Yachtmaster Instructor & Examiner. He's winner of the RYA 'Instructor of the Year' award too. His professional work also includes inspecting other training centres for the RYA so your safety on the water is very important at Bay Sea School.
Scroll down the page for course dates, booking form & joining instructions.
COVID 19 Update: We are unable to meet social distancing requirements on our sailing courses because it involves sitting shoulder to shoulder for approximately 5 hours. The safety of both our clients and our instructors is paramount. So unfortunately for the time being we are unable to accept bookings. In the meantime please sign up to our mailing list (bottom of homepage) to be the first to hear when bookings resume.
Beginners to Improvers Level 1 followed by Level 2 (4 days tuition in total)
- Level 1 Start Sailing - 2-day course £285. A gentle introduction to keelboat/yacht sailing on the sea for complete beginners or those with some experience as crew.
- Level 2 Basic Skills - 2-day course £285. Completion of Beginners Course. Develop your new sailing skills as the skipper. More practise tacking and gybing with additional topics such as: synoptic charts; tidal sailing techniques; all points of sail; reefing; MOB & anchoring under sail.
As a complete beginner you'll be amazed how much you pick up during your first two days on Level 1. Then over a total of four days tuition (Level 1 followed soon after by Level 2) you'll experience all the basics of how to skipper & crew a small yacht on the sea.
While keelboat sailing is certainly more comfortable for many adult beginners than dinghy sailing, a certain level of mobility is still required to first board the yacht from the inflatable boat & then move promptly from a seated position on one side of the yacht to the other. Please contact John if you'd like to have a chat about this.
Bay Sea School normally restrict numbers on their keelboat courses to 3 students but can accommodate 4 when required.
When you book a 2-day beginner level course you can work towards Level 1 or Level 2. You can decide which level is best for you after you've had a chance to experience what's involved.
Expert sailors know the best way to learn to sail is on a small boat not a larger cruising yacht. And keelboats are the perfect option for adult beginners who don't like the idea of dinghy sailing and falling into the water. With a winning combination of manoeuvrability and stability they're the ideal way to learn the basics. Keelboat courses are a great way to learn the essentials of sailing before a flotilla holiday too.
These excellent RYA keelboat courses cover the basic dinghy 'learn to sail' syllabus and adapt it for yacht sailing on the sea. Learning to sail with Bay Sea School you'll be taught by mature instructors, John & Deirdre, both of whom are also Yachtmasters with over 25 years sailing experience on the sea!
Click the link to read more about learning to sail.
If your dream is a cruising holiday in the Mediterranean, here's a useful pathway through the various RYA courses to becoming a Day Skipper and gaining your ICC (International Certificate of Competence).
Your course fee includes:
- RYA Sailing Logbook (G4)
- Bay Sea School's unique course notes
- RYA course completion certificate
- Free use of sailing waterproof trousers & jackets if required (adult sizes small to extra-large)
- All the necessary safety equipment including auto inflate life-jacket
If the weather is unsuitable for sailing, alternative dates will be agreed. Please read our Terms & Conditions.
Please make a note of your start time when booking your course.
The second day sometimes starts up to an hour later depending on the tide.
Click here for course joining instructions
| Start | Time | Finish | Places left |
| 2020 DATES | |||
| Good Friday 10/4/20 | 9.30 | Cancelled | FULL |
| Easter Sunday 12/4/20 | 11 | Cancelled | 2 |
| Sat 25/4/20 | 9.30 | Cancelled | FULL |
| Mon 27/4/20 | 10.30 | Cancelled | 1 |
| Thu 7/5/20 | 8.30 | Cancelled | 1 |
| Sat 9/5/20 | 9 | Cancelled | FULL |
| Mon 25/5/20 | 9.30 | Cancelled | 3 |
| Sat 6/6/20 | 9 | Cancelled | 1 |
| Mon 8/6/20 | 10 | Cancelled | 3 |
| Sat 20/6/20 | 8.30 | Cancelled | 2 |
| Wed 24/6/20 | 10 | Cancelled | 3 |
| Sat 4/7/20 | 8.30 | Cancelled until further notice | 1 |
| Mon 6/7/20 | 9 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Mon 20/7/20 | 8.30 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Wed 22/7/20 | 9 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Mon 3/8/20 | 8.30 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Wed 5/82020 | 9.30 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Tue 18/8/20 | 8.30 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Thu 20/8/20 | 9 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Thu 3/9/20 | 9 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Thu 17/9/20 | 8.30 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
| Sat 19/9/20 | 9 | Cancelled until further notice | 3 |
Click here for course joining instructions
"Patient and calm instructors. Different modes of learning. Felt able to ask questions and make mistakes. Great activities and tasks"
"Instructors have great knowledge and can pass this knowledge on in a very pleasant and efficient way"
"Patient explanation and good humour"
"Excellent throughout. Great teaching. Practical tutorship brilliant. (Weather perfect!)"
"Learnt a lot in 2 days!"
" The whole day was terrific. I really enjoyed it"
"The instructors complemented each other and were really knowledgeable"
I most liked...
"the balance of theory & practical and the opportunity for plenty of 'hands-on' practice.
Deirdre's explanation of rules of the road was excellent"
"the personal attention of the instructor, the boat and equipment"
"how the theory backed up the practical & the amount of practical"
"the detail and thoroughness of the instruction"
"gaining a clearer understanding of the basic skillsto improve my overall confidence"
"the feeling of sailing close to the wind and how everyone worked as a team"
"Excellent good all-round course. Deirdre is an excellent teacher"