RYA Sailing Courses

Work your way up the ladder of RYA sailing courses and qualifications – both theory and practical.

Recognised RYA Training Centre for over 20 years

Classic Sailing has been a recognised RYA Training Centre since 2003. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) courses we offer are the cruising scheme courses, rather than dinghy training, because we like to live on big boats and go exploring. Classic Sailing were one of the first RYA sailing schools to offer courses for adults on classic yachts with bowsprits and traditional rigging.

We work with several vessels offering regular RYA Competent Crew and Day Skipper courses. There are also more occasional Yachtmaster Courses, including both the prep and the chance to take your exam on board.

Our RYA Practical Courses – Taught at sea on traditionally rigged vessels

There is a progression through the RYA cruising scheme courses from beginner through to day skipper, coastal, offshore and ocean skippers. Even if you have sailed a bit before, the Competent Crew course is an comprehensive ‘hands-on’ course worth doing. It will give you a solid base of seamanship, safety awareness and vocabulary, turning you into a useful crew member that can fit in on any type of yacht or tall ship.

Find out more: RYA Competent Crew

Whilst Day Skipper appears the next step, there are many rungs on the ladder between the 2 courses. The Day Skipper Practical Course only has a pre requiste of 5 days previous sailing experience and equivalent knowledge or completion of a RYA Day Skipper Theory course. However it is a significant step up from your Competent Crew Course. We have a huge range of voyages to build up your skills before you might want to try skippering for yourself. When you’re ready (or if you’re in a hurry!) you can take your Day Skipper Qualification.

Find out more: RYA Day Skipper

An RYA Yachtmaster Certificate is the ultimate sailing qualification for many sailors. You might want the Yachtmaster CoC to be able to charter yachts as skipper anywhere in the world. You might want proof that you have reached the pinnacle of your leisure sailing ambitions. Or you might need it for a sailing career. It is the nautical equivalent of a driving license, whatever boats you’re in to. If you pass and meet the prerequisites to convert it into a commercially endorsed MCA/RYA Certificate of Competency, you are legally qualified to skipper a vessel up to 24 metres or up to 200 tonnes.

Find out more: RYA Yachtmaster

Other RYA Courses

Our partners over at Ardent Training provide all of our online RYA theory courses with fantastic, responsive, instructor support. In addition to the theory counterparts for all of the practical courses above, they also offer the RYA Professional Practices & Responsibilities Course and the RYA Marine Radio SRC Course.

For more information on Ardent’s fantastic training, check out our RYA Theory Courses page.

Other Boat Related Skills

In addition to our RYA courses which follow a set syllabus, Classic Sailing offers a huge choice of voyages where you can learn more informally, whilst on a sailing holiday. Our crews love to teach! Some of our ocean voyages are fantastic for getting to grips with celestial navigation, for instance. Or you might want to learn how to handle a traditionally rigged boat with blocks and tackles in contrast to a modern yacht. Perhaps your next nautical goal is to learn how to climb the rigging on a tall ship? Whatever your ambitions, get in touch and we will help you find a trip that can help you fulfil them.