HOME

  ABOUT US

  COURSES

  WHERE WE SAIL

  CONTACT US

This is a practical basic introductory course for those who are complete beginners to those who have minimal experience either sailing, cruising or just dinghy fishing.
The course is not only designed for learning, it is also designed to give you an enjoyable time, one with positive results and experiences. All your learning time in this course is spent on board “B52”.

Minimum Pre-course Practical Experience
None. By the end of this course you will feel comfortable to be a useful member of a sailing crew

Minimum Pre-course Theoretical Knowledge
None. By the end of this course you will be able to interpret weather forecasts.

What will the Course Content teach me?

• How to participate as a crew member and helmsman
• What is necessary in preparing a yacht for sailing
• How to tie knots that are specifically for sailing
• How to drop anchor safely
• What safety equipment is aboard a yacht and how to use it
•  How weather predictions can change the planning of your sail
• You will learn and be a participant in a man overboard scenario
• What distress signals and flags to use and when

How long is the Course?
RYA states that the course is to be 5 consecutive days on board OR
Three 2 day weekends on board, these do not have to be consecutive

Do I need to bring anything onto the yacht?

• Change of clothes
• Toiletries
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Warm jumper
• Spray jacket and/or pants
• Swimming suit
• Any necessary daily medication
• Please pack all this into a flexible bag for storage

What food do I need to bring?

• The short answer to that question is none. We provide all meals on board. If you have specific dietary needs you will need to contact the office a week before your trip.
• You may want to bring your own personal snack food
• We will eat out at least one night on board, so you will need some money for that evening

Do I receive any Formal Qualification with this Course?
Yes, at the completion of the course you will be awarded the RYA “Competent Crew Course Completion Certificate”

Back to top

This course has been designed to help you take charge as a skipper on a sailing vessel. All training will be carried out on the Sydney 41 yacht “B52”.

Our course has taken into account the hesitation felt by first time skippers. It is for this reason we have two very experienced skippers on board, to help allay fears and assist to make your “In charge” time memorable and enjoyable. You will not only sail out of and into Coffs Harbour, but will sail the vessel up to Yamba and have the opportunity to cross the bar at Iluka. This allows for the opportunity to navigate the magnificent Clarence River.

Minimum Pre-course Practical Experience RYA recommends that students have the following minimum:

• 5 days sea time
• 100 miles
• 4 night hours

Minimum Pre-course Theoretical Knowledge RYA recommends that students have completed Day Skipper Shorebased course.

What will the Course Content teach me? It will teach you how to take charge in a safe manner with confidence. You will also learn what is involved in being a skipper, such as:

• Taking responsibility of the crew and the yacht
• Sail selection & sail handling
• Weather watching and forecasting
• Navigation & Passage planning
• Pilotage & Helmsman ship • What is needed for engine, boat & sail maintenance
• How to organise watch keeping with the people available on board

How long is the Course? RYA states that the course is 5 consecutive days/nights on board OR Three 2 day weekends on board, these do not have to be consecutive.

Do I need to bring anything onto the yacht? Yes

• Change of clothes
• Toiletries
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Warm jumper
• Spray jacket and/or pants
• Swimming suit
• Any necessary daily medication
• Please pack all this into a flexible bag for storage

What food do I need to bring?

• The short answer to that question is none. We provide all meals on board. If you have specific dietary needs you will need to contact the office a week before your trip.
• You may want to bring your own personal snack food
• We will eat out at least one night on board, so you will need some money for that evening

Do I receive any Formal Qualification with this Course? Yes, at the completion of the course you will be awarded the RYA “Day Skipper Course Completion Certificate”

This is a basic theory course that is designed to help you understand the whys and wherefores to the practical side to sailing. This course is carried out in a classroom environment. The course travels at a speed whereby it allows for questions and revision times.

By the end of the course you will feel confident to plan a passage for a day sail, using the weather and navigation techniques.

Minimum Pre-course Practical Experience Some Practical experience required. Competent Crew Practical Certification desirable

Minimum Pre-course Theoretical Knowledge None

What will the Course Content teach me?

• You will learn Nautical terms
• Points of Sailing and simple Sailing Theory
• Give you an understanding of Knots and Rope work
• What safety equipment is onboard and how to use it
• What Emergency services are available and how to contact them if needed
• You will learn about Rules of the Road
• What the lights, shapes ad flags mean on all watercraft
• How to interpret charts • How to plot a position
• How to read tides and what they mean to your vessel
• How to steer a course and using waypoints
• Using Visual Fix as apposed to GPS fix
• How to use weather forecasts and systems and understand how they work with Beaufort Wind Scale
• You will also learn how to write your own passage plan taking into consideration weather, tides and charts

How long is the Course? RYA states that the course is 40 hours (Not including Exam). That relates to 10 weeks @ 4 hours a week, with exam on week 11.

Do I need to bring anything into the classroom? Yes

• Pens, paper and calculator
• Laptop if one is available What will be supplied?
• You will be supplied with a Day Skipper Theory Pack
• Morning/Afternoon tea if daytime course, Supper if night time course

Do I receive any Formal Qualification with this Course? Yes, at the completion of the course you will be awarded the RYA “Day Skipper Theory Certificate”

RYA COASTAL SKIPPER PRACTICAL COURSE    (Click icon to download PDF file - 270kb)

This is the course for the more experienced skippers who have a minimum of Coastal Skipper Shorebased theory standard as well as practical aptitude to Day Skipper level. Not only do you have to be competent in navigation, but there is a great demand for you to have effective leadership and seamanship skills as well. This will give you the experience to take on passages of longer duration.

Minimum Pre-course Practical Experience RYA recommends that students have the following minimum:

• 15 days sea time with 2 days as skipper
• 300 miles
• 8 night hours
• VHF Radio Operators Certificate

Minimum Pre-course Theoretical Knowledge RYA recommends that students have completed Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased course.

• What will the Course Content teach me? It will teach you how to take command of the vessel as a competent skipper during both day and night.

You will also learn:

• Plan a passage with confidence and to be prepared for variables due to weather or maintenance issues.
• Advanced weather watching and forecasting and how to sail in limited visibility
• Advanced Navigation using GPS and waypoints
• Advanced methods of position fixing
• Accurate log book recording
• Accurate methods for radio calls and ability to locate radio stations
• Improve your skills in organising watch keeping

How long is the Course? RYA states that the course is 5 consecutive days/nights on board

Do I need to bring anything onto the yacht? Yes

• Changes of clothes
• Toiletries
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Warm jumper
• Spray jacket and/or pants
• Swimming suit
• Any necessary daily medication
• Please pack all this into a flexible bag for storage

What food do I need to bring?

• The short answer to that question is none. We provide all meals on board. If you have specific dietary needs you will need to contact the office a week before your trip.
• You may want to bring your own personal snack food
• We will eat out at least one night on board, so you will need some money for that evening

Do I receive any Formal Qualification with this Course? Yes, at the completion of the course you will be awarded the RYA “Coastal Skippers Course Completion Certificate”

Back to top

This course is of an advanced nature and assumes that you have prior knowledge and experience. There is the assumption that you already have Day Skipper, therefore, there is only a minimal amount of time set aside for revision. This course will be covered in classroom facilitie. Once we have improved your ability to navigate etc, you will be asked to lead the class in a navigational lesson. As daunting as this seems, it helps you to take charge and feel confident about being in charge.

Minimum Pre-course Practical Experience
Competent Crew Practical Certification
Day Skipper Certification

Minimum Pre-course Theoretical Knowledge
Day Skipper Shorebased Course

What will the Course Content teach me?

• Complex Navigation at sea
• Position Fixing
• How to use tides and currents effectively
• More complex meteorology and how to sail in limited visibility
• How to use electronic navigational aids such as GPS and their limitations
• What emergencies are likely to take place and how to overcome them with the emergency equipment available
• Participate in man overboard scenarios
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Advanced Passage planning

How long is the Course?
RYA states that the course is 40 hours (Not including Exam). That relates to 10 weeks @ 4 hours a week, with exam on week 11.

Do I need to bring anything into the classroom? Yes

• Pens, paper and calculator
• Dividers, ruler
• Laptop if one is available

What will be supplied?

• You will be supplied with a Coastal Skipper Theory Pack
• Morning/Afternoon tea if daytime course, Supper if night time course
• A list of course books available from Boat Books

Do I receive any Formal Qualification with this Course? Yes, at the completion of the course you will be awarded the RYA “Coastal Skipper Theory Certificate”