Learn to Sail on a Classic Boat – RYA Competent Crew Course
Berth Type
Embark
Disembark
Vessel
Duration
Voyage No
Sun 11-07-2021, 14:00Plymouth, UK
Fri 16-07-2021, 13:00Plymouth, UK
Moosk
5 Nights
MK110721
This is a 5 day practical sailing course for newcomers to yacht sailing. You don’t have to be a total beginner, so if you feel there are some gaps in your knowledge then it is good to get it right at the start of your sailing hobby or career. Being able to sail, and having the confidence to be crew on other peoples yachts, opens up a whole world of adventure. Moosk is a elegant classic boat and her sailing ground from Plymouth gives you both Devon and Cornwall coastal scenery.
Voyage
Vessel
VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS FOR BEGINNERS
Earn a RYA certificate that proves you are a Competent Crew
Explore the Devon and Cornwall Coast under Sail
Learn the skills to Move up from Dinghies to Yachts
Learn How to Sail a Two mast yawl and gaff rigged classic boats
Transferable skills whether your next vesselis a modern yacht or a tall ship
Learn practical skills from demonstrations and doing
consolidate existing sailing experience with professional instructors
Anyone wanting to learn to sail on boats big enough to sleep on. This is the beginners course for anyone wanting to fast track to being a competent crew member on just about any type of sailing boat. The principles of how to set sails or steer a boat is fundamentally the same on a dinghy as it is on a classic boat, yacht or tall ship.
The RYA Competent Crew syllabus is very ‘hands on’ and practical. Setting and trimming sails, learning the jargon, finding places to stop on moorings, in marinas, alongside historic quays or anchoring off beautiful beaches. Your RYA instructor wants you to fall in love with sailing, as well as learn skills and build your confidence out on the big blue sea.
VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS FOR BEGINNERS
Earn a RYA certificate that proves you are a Competent Crew
Explore the Devon and Cornwall Coast under Sail
Learn the skills to Move up from Dinghies to Yachts
Learn How to Sail a Two mast yawl and gaff rigged classic boats
Transferable skills whether your next vessel is a modern yacht or a tall ship
Learn practical skills from demonstrations and doing
consolidate existing sailing experience with professional instructors
Moosk Gaff Yawl under sail
FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION
RYA Competent Crew
We want you to develop a love of sailing, and the best way to make a start on any boat is to feel you are a vital and competent part of the crew. On the RYA Competent crew course, we will teach you the seamanship skills of steering, setting sails, reefing, and tying knots with conviction ! The course is about going places, so you can experience a wide range of sailing experiences:- anchoring in remote bays, mooring in sheltered rivers, coming alongside harbour walls or pontoons, night sailing. The skills you learn will be relevant for modern yachts, but after the rya competent crew course you should also feel at home on traditional boats and tall ships with blocks and tackles. (6 day course. Maximum 5 students to one instructor on any RYA course, fully inclusive prices).
Previous experience for the Competent Crew Course: –
None. You can be a complete beginner that has never stepped on a boat before.
It is also good for those who have done a bit of yacht, keel boat or dinghy sailing and want to be sure they have the basics to sail bigger boats where you can go cruising and live on board. Check out the course Syllabus to see some of the things you will be learning.
You need to consolidate your sailing skills a bit, which is a great excuse for doing more sailing in interesting places and on different size vessels. The Classic Sailing fleet is perfect for that.
The next course is a big jump up the RYA training ladder and aimed at those who are moving towards wanting to skipper their own boat. RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate requires good wind awareness and watch leader skills, plus theoretical navigation knowledge. You can dip into a few navigation techniques whilst on your Competent Crew course but it is not really part of your syllabus.
If it interests you, you can learn more at home
(Day Skipper Theory Course options are approx 40 hours at evening classes or as a taught intensive classroom course….or you can fast track yourself or take as long as you like at home with one of our Day Skipper Theory – distance learning courses)
You can do a RYA Course in the UK or abroad, but the Devon and Cornwall coast takes some beating for variety, scenery and challenge. Off the coast of South Devon and Cornwall, the water is deep with a few rocky hazards, but none of the complexity of the Solent sand bars and busy shipping. Day Skippers can can dip into more challenging pilotage when you enter the ports and estuaries.
Whether you are at beginner level or learning to be the skipper or navigator, this coastline will give you a broad education. The courses are about going places, so you can experience a wide range of sailing experiences:- anchoring in remote bays, mooring in sheltered rivers, coming alongside harbour walls or pontoons, night sailing.
Cornwall and Devon Cruising grounds for RYA courses
HANDS ON HOLIDAYS
Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail.
SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD
We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation. There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.
AGILITY & FITNESS
Every customer sailing with us will need to fill in basic medical questions on their booking application. If you are not sure if your current level of fitness and agility are up to a voyage, then please ring the Classic Sailing Office on 01326 53 1234 and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Skipper & professional crew
Personal Safety Equipment
Sailing Instruction
All meals, snacks and refreshments
Port and landing fees
Waterproofs
Third Party liability insurance
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Travel to Joining Port
Travel from end port
Alcoholic Drinks
Towels
Sleeping Bag, Pillows are provided
IDEAL VOYAGE FOR…
VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS
in bullet points
FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION
A bit of Sizzle then…..
On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best sailing and shore landings for the forecast and most idyllic or sheltered anchors and ports. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described below, but you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description below is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage.
YOU CAN PASTE OLD VOYAGE DESCRIPTION or SAILING PARTNER VOYAGE DESCRIPTION into the body text here and then improve or shorten text. Or write from new prompt list of things to write e.g.
Possible day to day if it is appropriate
WHAT CAN I SEE? (WILDLIFE – CULTURE _EVENTS etc),
WHAT CAN I LEARN? Day to day suggestions and photos,
Customer quotes or reviews if Possible
WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER
winds / how rough / climate etc – keep it generic rather than seasonal.
HANDS ON HOLIDAYS
Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail.
SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD
We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation. There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.
AGILITY & FITNESS
Every customer sailing with us will need to fill in basic medical questions on their booking application. If you are not sure if your current level of fitness and agility are up to a voyage, then please ring the Classic Sailing Office on 01326 53 1234 and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Skipper & professional crew
Personal Safety Equipment
Sailing Instruction
All meals, snacks and refreshments
Port and landing fees
Linen and duvets
Third Party liability insurance
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Travel to Joining Port
Travel from end port
Alcoholic Drinks
Towels
Waterproofs
Start & End Port
Plymouth, UK
There are several marina docks in Plymouth.
For Pegasus, Johanna Lucretia and Moosk: Please meet at “the Hanger Car Park” in Plymouth Yacht Haven car park, Turnchapel. PL9 9XH (See below for directions – Parking in the marina is free.)
For Grayhound: voyages will start from Mayflower Marina, Richmond Walk. If it is any different you will be informed by the skipper before the day of arrival. She is often the only wooden masted ship in this harbour, so it will be easy to spot her three black masts. Address: Richmond Walk, Plymouth PL1 4LS. – see info below.
Mayflower Marina – for Grayhound
Mayflower Marina is to the west of the city centre, and has some long pontoons so is often used for our larger vessels. It is only about a 10 minute taxi from Plymouth Railway Station. There is secure parking within the marina for a daily parking fee.
MARINA ACCESS & ON SITE CAR PARKING
Vehicular access to the marina is restricted by a car park barrier, there is a card reader / intercom pedestal. If you do not have an access fob please follow the instructions on the intercom pedestal.
Car park charges are two hours free then £1 for 1 hour over the free period, £2 for 2 hours over the free period and then £5 for up to 22 hours after the free period. It is requested that the owners of parked cars leave their keys in the marina office in case the car has to be moved for operational reasons.
Plymouth Yacht Haven /Mountbatten Marina / Turnchapel – for Pegasus, Moosk and Johanna Lucretia
This marina has had several changes of name over the years so you may find skippers referring to it as Turnchapel / Mountbatten Marina – Allow at least 25 minutes to get from A38 Marsh Mills Roundabout Plymouth city centre exit road to Turnchapel by car. It does have FREE long term parking in the marina.
If you are travelling by public transport the most direct route is a 10 minute yellow ferry (foot passengers only) from the Barbican Pub straight to Mountbatten next to Plymouth Yacht Haven. A taxi ride all the way around the Plym estuary would be quite expensive. See Mountbatten Ferry website for ferry mobile phone or enquiries www.mountbattenferry.co.uk
The postcode for Sat Nav users is PL9 9XH /Google maps
Directions:
Turn left off A38 at Marsh Mills roundabout onto A374 signed Plymouth City Centre.
After 1 1/4 mile get into left hand lane and follow signs for Kingsbridge A379.
This takes you across Laira Bridge where you will see the first signs for Mount Batten and Turnchapel.
After crossing the Laira Bridge, at the first roundabout turn right.
At the next roundabout (mini) take the second exit, cross pedestrian lights, and continue straight on until traffic lights at crossroads.
Turn right and then go straight through a second set of lights.
Keep on this road (for approx 1 1/2 miles) until you come to a roundabout.
All Meals, Cooked Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Refreshments throughout the day.
What's Not Included
Travel to and from the start and end port.
You need to bring a sleeping bag
Optional trips or tours taken ashore
Meals ashore
Alcoholic Beverages
For RYA Day Skipper you will need to bring a passport sized ID photo in preparation for your RYA Certificate.
What to bring
A sleeping bag.
A big soft bag, no suitcases please!
Pyjamas
2 pairs of warm trousers
2 long sleeve t-shirts
2 light sweatshirts or similar
A fleece jacket
Plenty of underwear and socks
Warm hat and ordinary gloves
Wellies or waterproof boots
A pair of trainers
Swimming kit (if appropriate)
Glasses or contact lenses
Anti seasickness tablets
Wash kit and towel
RYA logbook if you have one
Sun cream and Sunglasses
Review
RYA Courses
What was the best bit?
Everyday there was something to learn and practice
What was the worst bit?
Going home
Why do you sail?
I love the feeling of the wind pushing the sails and being surrounded by traditional design. Learning the ropes and exploring the outdoors is my passion and if there’s wildlife involved I’m in heaven!!
Any other comments
Ollie is an extremely talented instructor. His temperament, knowledge and sense of fun, adventure and humour kept us all motivated. He never made me feel silly for getting things wrong or asking too many questions and I felt very safe at all times. - Jennifer F. RYA course in April.
Credit to Jennifer F on Moosk
Yachtmaster Course Review
The instructor Dom was fantastic he had so much energy, we were usually going from 8 am to 10pm as the syllabus is so big and he was always enthusiastic and feeding us bits of info at any opportunity. He had a good method of demonstrating first and then explaining and he was very good at giving useful feedback.
Moosk is a good boat for this course as she’s small and manageable (at least compared to what Kathryn and I are more used to). The food was plentiful and Ollie the skipper was incredibly knowledgeable.
I’d recommend this prep week to anyone interested in doing the YM especially if they are more familiar with traditional boats or a gaff rig rather than plastic boats.
Edwardian yawl Moosk in action and images. Photos from Classic Sailing customers, ships crew and professional photographers. We hope it gives a flavour of her sailing, life on board, the people that come, her beautiful sailing grounds and what it is like to live below decks.
