{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"@id": "faq-1",
"name": "Do I need sailing experience to take the RYA Competent Crew course?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "No, absolutely not. The RYA Competent Crew course is specifically designed for complete beginners. Many of our students have never stepped on a boat before. Learning on traditional boats like Moosk (built 1906) and Tallulah is ideal for beginners because you learn real seamanship from first principles. You'll understand HOW sailing works through manual systems (blocks, tackles, hand steering) rather than learning to operate automated systems. This foundational understanding means when you eventually sail any boat—traditional or modern—you'll understand what's happening. As a complete beginner, this intuitive learning model on a traditional vessel helps concepts click faster than on complex modern systems."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"@id": "faq-2",
"name": "What's the difference between learning on a traditional boat vs. a modern yacht?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "This is the key question that defines Classic Sailing's approach. On modern charter boats, you learn to operate the boat's systems from the cockpit with electronic systems, hydraulic winches, GPS autopilot, and integrated technology. Training is standardized and efficient. On traditional boats like Moosk and Tallulah, you learn to UNDERSTAND sailing principles. You work with manual blocks and tackles, hand steering, chart navigation, and visible rigging. Training is intuitive—you see cause and effect immediately and can safely walk around open deck to see what the running rigging is doing. When you adjust the runner backstays on Moosk's gaff yawl, you feel the boat respond and understand why. On modern boats, it's difficult to see what the rope you're pulling actually does; many systems are automated. You follow steps without necessarily understanding the underlying principles. That depends on your goal: Want fastest, most efficient training? Modern boats. Want to understand sailing itself and gain intuitive confidence? Traditional boats. Want skills that transfer to any vessel? Traditional boats."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"@id": "faq-3",
"name": "What specific sailing skills will I learn?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "You'll learn core practical seamanship skills required by the RYA Competent Crew syllabus: Steering & Helming (understanding boat balance and weather helm), Sail Handling (setting, reefing, and handing sails), Ropework (secure knots and rope terminology), Anchoring & Mooring (safe anchoring and mooring techniques), Safety Procedures (man overboard, emergency equipment, personal safety), Seamanship (navigation basics, tides, weather, rules of the road), and Dinghy Skills (rowing and tender handling). On Moosk and Tallulah, every action has visible, tangible results. When you adjust sails, you see and feel the boat's response. When you work with the crew to handle a maneuver, you understand the teamwork required. This direct feedback helps the RYA syllabus concepts stick—you're not learning abstract procedures, you're mastering real skills with immediate feedback."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"@id": "faq-4",
"name": "Will the skills I learn on a traditional boat transfer to modern yachts?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Yes, emphatically. In fact, learning on traditional boats often makes modern sailing easier. Sailing fundamentals don't change based on boat type: wind pressure on canvas equals wind pressure on any sail, tidal navigation works with or without GPS, boat balance and trim applies whether manual or powered, and seamanship judgment applies on any vessel. When you learn manual seamanship on Moosk or Tallulah, you understand the principles. Modern yachts simply automate these same principles. You've already mastered the hard part—understanding sailing itself. Technology just makes it faster and easier. Many sailors trained ONLY on modern boats struggle transitioning to traditional vessels. The reverse rarely happens. Sailors trained on traditional boats adapt quickly to modern systems because they understand the underlying principles. You're not learning something different—you're learning it at the principle level, which makes all applications feel intuitive."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"@id": "faq-5",
"name": "Why do you teach on historic vessels like Moosk and Tallulah instead of modern boats?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "It's both a philosophical choice and a practical one. Moosk (built 1906) is a genuine historic vessel listed on the National Historic Ships UK Register that still races competitively. Tallulah (built 2008) is an authentic replica of a Scillonian pilot cutter, hand-built by legendary shipwright Luke Powell. We chose traditional vessels because manual systems equal understanding (blocks and tackles, hand steering, visible rigging teach how sailing actually works), they're built for small teams (both boats are purpose-designed for small crews, creating authentic teamwork and personal engagement), they have proven seaworthiness (these aren't museum pieces—they're working vessels; Moosk races across the Bay of Biscay), and training is intuitive (cause-and-effect is immediate and visible). Debbie Purser spent 23 years teaching on Tallulah's predecessor, Eve of St Mawes. When transitioning to a new boat, she deliberately chose to invest in an authentic traditional design rather than a modern charter vessel. That choice reflects her belief in this teaching model. We're not using traditional boats because they're romantic—we're using them because they work better for creating confident sailors."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"@id": "faq-6",
"name": "What's included in the course price, and what's the actual sailing experience like?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "The RYA Competent Crew course includes 5-6 days of continuous sailing instruction with RYA-qualified instructors, full board accommodation on the boat, all meals prepared aboard, all safety equipment including lifejackets, harness and safety strops, all sailing instruction and safety training, and your RYA Competent Crew certificate upon completion. On Moosk or Tallulah, you're not doing repetitive exercises in confined waters—you're on a real voyage: anchoring in remote bays, mooring in sheltered rivers, coming alongside harbor walls, night sailing experiences, real navigation and passage planning, and working as part of a crew with actual sailing objectives. You're learning because you're doing—not practicing—real sailing with real destinations and real challenges. Classic Sailing chooses locations where the sailing is genuine and interesting. With Debbie's 25+ years of knowledge of Cornwall waters, you explore secluded anchorages and spectacular settings that typical charter boat routes don't access. This isn't a training exercise—it's an actual sailing adventure where learning happens."
}
}
]
}
Learn hands-on sailing aboard traditional vessels. No experience needed. Ready to Go from Useless to Useful? Become a confident crew member in 5-6 days.
Find and Book a Course
.
Official RYA Course:
This course follows the official RYA Competent Crew syllabus
WHY TRADITIONAL BOATS
Why Learn on Traditional Boats?
Understanding the principles of sailing, not just operating systems
The Classic Sailing Difference
We could use modern charter boats like other RYA schools. They’re efficient and standardized. But we chose traditional vessels because we believe understanding principles creates better, more confident sailors.
On Moosk (built 1906) and Tallulah (an authentic pilot cutter replica), every action has visible, tangible results. When you adjust sails, you see and feel the boat’s response. When you work with crew to handle a maneuver, you understand the teamwork required.
On modern boats, many systems are automated and it’s difficult to see what the rope you’re pulling actually does. You follow steps without necessarily understanding the underlying principles.
| Modern Charter Boats: | Traditional Boats (Moosk & Tallulah): |
| Over reliance on electronic systems | Paper Chart centric – See Why Paper Charts Matter |
| Electric or Hydraulic Winches | Manual blocks & tackles |
| Confined Cockpit | Safe wide decks |
| Standardized training | Intuitive learning |
COURSE OVERVIEW
Previous experience required: None.
You can be a complete beginner that has never stepped on a boat before.
Assumed knowledge: None
Minimum Age: 12
5 to 6 Days: Intensive hands-on training with RYA-qualified instructors
Full Board: Accommodation and all meals included aboard the vessel
RYA Certified: Official Competent Crew certificate upon completion
Ability after the course: Able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines of sailing.
Find and Book a Course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before booking your RYA Competent Crew Course
FAQ #1
Question: Do I need sailing experience to take the RYA Competent Crew course?
Answer:
No, absolutely not. The RYA Competent Crew course is specifically designed for complete beginners. Many of our students have never stepped on a boat before.
Learning on traditional boats like Moosk (built 1906) and Tallulah is ideal for beginners because you learn real seamanship from first principles. You’ll understand HOW sailing works through manual systems (blocks, tackles, hand steering) rather than learning to operate automated systems.
This foundational understanding means when you eventually sail any boat—traditional or modern—you’ll understand what’s happening. As a complete beginner, this intuitive learning model on a traditional vessel helps concepts click faster than on complex modern systems.
FAQ #2:
Question: What’s the difference between learning on a traditional boat vs. a modern yacht?
Answer: Comparison
This is the key question that defines Classic Sailing’s approach.
Modern Charter Boats:
- Over reliance on electronic systems, electric or hydraulic winches, GPS autopilot, integrated technology
- You learn to operate the boat’s systems from the cockpit
- Training is standardized and efficient
Traditional Boats (Moosk & Tallulah):
- Manual blocks and tackles, hand steering, chart navigation, visible rigging
- You learn to UNDERSTAND sailing principles
- Training is intuitive—you see cause and effect immediately
- Open deck you can safely walk around and see what the running rigging is doing
The Real Difference in Learning:
On Moosk, when you adjust the sheet on the gaff yawl, you feel the boat respond, hopefully helping you to windward or when tacking. You understand why. On Tallulah, the pilot cutter design teaches you even a small crew can work efficiently as a team.
On modern boats, it’s difficult to see what the rope you are pulling on actually does; many systems are automated. You follow steps without necessarily understanding the underlying principles.
Which Is Better?
That depends on your goal:
- Want fastest, most efficient training? Modern boats.
- Want to understand sailing itself and gain intuitive confidence? Traditional boats.
- Want skills that transfer to any vessel? Traditional boats.
We chose traditional vessels because we believe understanding principles creates better, more confident sailors.
Find and Book a Course.
FAQ #3:
Question: What specific sailing skills will I learn?
Answer :
You’ll learn core practical seamanship skills required by the RYA Competent Crew syllabus:
Essential Skills:
- Steering & Helming: Understanding boat balance and weather helm
- Sail Handling: Setting, reefing, and handing sails
- Ropework: Secure knots and rope terminology
- Anchoring & Mooring: Safe anchoring and mooring techniques
- Safety Procedures: Man overboard, emergency equipment, personal safety
- Seamanship: Navigation basics, tides, weather, rules of the road
- Dinghy Skills: Rowing and tender handling
Why Traditional Boats Teach These Better:
On Moosk and Tallulah, every action has visible, tangible results. When you adjust sails, you see and feel the boat’s response. When you work with the crew to handle a maneuver, you understand the teamwork required. This direct feedback helps the RYA syllabus concepts stick, you’re not learning procedures sitting in a cockpit away from where the actual work is done, you’re working on the deck seeing what your actions are achieving and mastering real skills with immediate feedback.
To sum it up you get ‘Traditional boat learning clarity’
FAQ #4:
Question: Will the skills I learn on a traditional boat transfer to modern yachts?
Answer:
Yes, absolutely, in fact, learning on traditional boats often makes modern sailing easier.
Why Traditional Skills Transfer:
Sailing fundamentals don’t change based on boat type:
- Wind pressure on canvas = wind pressure on any sail
- Tidal navigation = tidal navigation (with or without GPS)
- Boat balance and trim = boat balance and trim (whether manual or powered)
- Seamanship judgment = seamanship judgment (on any vessel)
The Key Advantage:
When you learn manual seamanship on Moosk or Tallulah, you understand the principles. Modern yachts simply automate these same principles. You’ve already mastered the hard part—understanding sailing itself. Technology just makes it faster and easier.
Real-World Pattern:
Many sailors trained ONLY on modern boats struggle transitioning to traditional vessels. The reverse rarely happens. Sailors trained on traditional boats adapt quickly to modern systems because they understand the underlying principles.
Example:
- Traditional boat learning: Understand why you adjust the mainsail sheet to trim the sail efficiently
- Modern boat using it: Electric winches hide the forces at play; all the ropes leading from the cockpit are confusing and hide where they go and what they do
Traditional: You’re not learning something different—you’re learning it at the principle level, which makes all applications feel intuitive.”
Find and Book a Course.
FAQ #5:
Question: Why do you teach on historic vessels like Moosk and Tallulah instead of modern boats?
Answer:
It’s both a philosophical choice and a practical one. We believe traditional vessels create better learning outcomes.
The Heritage:
- Moosk (built 1906): A genuine historic vessel listed on the National Historic Ships UK Register. She still races competitively and proves the soundness of her design after 120+ years.
- Tallulah (built 2008): An authentic replica of a Scillonian pilot cutter, hand-built by legendary shipwright Luke Powell. Pilot cutters were designed for small professional crews—ideal for teaching.
The Teaching Philosophy:
We could use modern charter boats like other RYA schools. They’re efficient and standardized. But we chose traditional vessels because:
1. Manual systems = understanding: Blocks and tackles, hand steering, visible rigging. Students learn how sailing actually works.
2. Built for small teams: Both Moosk and Tallulah are purpose-designed for small crews working together. This creates authentic teamwork and personal engagement.
3. Proven seaworthiness: These aren’t museum pieces—they’re working vessels. Moosk races across the Bay of Biscay. You’re learning on boats trusted by professional sailors.
4. Intuitive learning: On a traditional boat, cause-and-effect is immediate and visible. A student asking ‘why does the boom swing that way?’ gets an intuitive answer they can see, not an abstract explanation of hydraulic systems.
The Skipper’s Commitment:
Debbie Purser (co-founder of Classic Sailing) spent 23 years teaching on Tallulah’s predecessor, Eve of St Mawes. When transitioning to a new boat, she deliberately chose to invest in an authentic traditional design (Tallulah) rather than a modern charter vessel. That choice reflects her belief in this teaching model.
We’re not using traditional boats because they’re romantic; we’re using them because they work better for creating confident sailors.
FAQ #6:
Question: What’s included in the course price, and what’s the actual sailing experience like?
Answer:
The RYA Competent Crew course with Classic Sailing includes accommodation, all meals, and hands-on instruction aboard the vessel throughout the course.
What Your Course Fee Covers:
- 5-6 days of continuous sailing instruction with RYA-qualified instructors
- Full board accommodation on the boat
- All meals prepared aboard
- All Safety Equipment including lifejackets, harness and safety strops
- All sailing instruction and safety training
- RYA Competent Crew certificate upon completion
What The Actual Sailing Is Like:
On Moosk or Tallulah, you’re not doing repetitive exercises in confined waters—you’re on a real voyage:
- Anchoring in remote bays
- Mooring in sheltered rivers
- Coming alongside harbor walls
- Night sailing experiences
- Real navigation and passage planning
- Working as part of a crew with actual sailing objectives
You’re learning because you’re doing—not practicing—real sailing with real destinations and real challenges.
The Experience Difference:
Classic Sailing chooses locations where the sailing is genuine and interesting. With Debbie’s 25+ years of knowledge of Cornwall waters, you explore secluded anchorages and spectacular settings that typical charter boat routes don’t access.
This isn’t a training exercise—it’s an actual sailing adventure where learning happens.
Find and Book a Course.
For daily tall ship news and voyage updates, follow Classic Sailing on Facebook — over 63,000 sailors already do.
facebook.com/ClassicSailing
