Complete your RYA Competent Crew or RYA Day Skipper on Tallulah this summer

IDEAL VOYAGE FOR…

The joint course offers advantages to everyone. Both beginners looking for their first RYA qualification as Competent Crew, and the more experienced looking to complete their Day Skipper. Those studying for Competent Crew can, if they have the ability complete sections of the Day Skipper practical syllabus and see what they need to do for the next step up the ladder. Those doing the Day Skipper practical have an enthusiastic crew to work with and you will gain command experience. Day Skippers are expected to have Day Skipper theory level navigation skills and know how to trim sails, tack and gybe. There is not time to teach all theory knowledge from scratch but if potential day skippers students have made an effort to revise navigation and ‘rules of the road’, our instructor can help refresh or clarify key topics so you understand their application. We also like to introduce Competent Crew to basic navigation, which is extra to their syllabus. Also they get participate in the day skipper exercises as crew, so they can see the next step in the ladder.

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• 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
• introduction to a whole new world – and learn to sail
• 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

• VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS FOR DAY SKIPPERS
• Gain an internationally recognised RYA qualification – if you pass the course
• A chance to actually be the skipper for short passages (under supervision)
• Learn how to apply the day skipper theory navigational skills at sea
• tips on doing it all at once – navigation, sailing and crew safety
• Improve your leadership skills and the crews confidence in you
• Explore the Devon and Cornwall Coast 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 night course over 7 days. 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. 

RYA Competent Crew Course Content

• You will gain knowledge of sea terms and the parts of a boat, the yacht rigging and sails. Practical experience in sail handling, ropework. 
• Understanding fire precautions and fighting, personal safety equipment, man overboard procedures , emergency equipment, meteorology, seasickness. 
• Taking part in helmsmanship and  general duties on board. 
• Plus learning about manners and customs of the sea, rules of the road, and the use of dinghies.

Your Ability after the course: Able to steer the yacht, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines on board.

 

RYA Day Skipper

Skippering a boat is fun, and this RYA day skipper course is about taking your first steps towards taking charge, with the safety net of an instructor on board. Everyone will be given a chance to navigate and take control of Tallulah on short coastal passages. You will also have plenty of practice at coordinating manoeuvres under sail and power, and learning how to cope with emergencies. Learn big boat watch leader skills on deck, and navigational techniques below with GPS and radar and a large chart table. Successful completion of the RYA day skipper course means you should feel confident enough to tackle short day passages as skipper in tidal waters. It is important that you complete your Day skipper theoretical course before starting your trip in order to make the most of your time afloat practicing what you have learnt. 

When on your RYA Day Skipper course or Competent Crew, your skipper will help you work towards the parts in the RYA logbook and syllabus. Signing up to this course is by no means a guarantee that you will achieve your Day Skipper or Competent Crew qualification as there are many factors which could affect completion, including weather, conditions, student preparation and competence. The crew will try their utmost to work through all of the parts and award you with a certificate at the end to be proud of. 

Previous experience required before booking a Day Skipper Course

Sailing experience – a minimum of 5 previous days at sea on a yacht, covering at least 100 miles and 4 night hours.

Navigation and Theory knowledge – It is assumed that you have theoretical knowledge up to the level of  ‘Day Skipper Theory’ .

Our view at Classic Sailing is that you should be happy tacking and gybing a boat and understand the difference. You need enough wind awareness to trim sails on all points of sailing and steer by the wind, not instruments.

You need a good level of understanding of how to navigate, even if you have not had much chance to put it into practice at sea. The sort of things you will be expected to know will be fixing positions on a chart, working out tidal heights and streams, looking up port information, setting courses to steer, making ‘rules of the road’ decisions based on the COLREGS. If you have experience of this already or have been taught a lot by other sailors, you don’t have to complete a Day Skipper Theory Course to sign up for a Day Skipper Practical Course,  but it increases your chances of passing hugely.

Check the Day Skipper Theory Syllabus

(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)

On Line Day Skipper Theory Courses – Learn Navigation at home

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

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. 

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 01872 58 00 22 and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better.

What to pack for a sailing holiday on Tallulah

Included

• Sailing Instruction
• Safety Equipment (Life jackets and harnesses)
• All meals on board & refreshments throughout the day
• Bed linen, duvet, pillows
• Wooden rowing boat activities
• 2 x Stand Up Paddleboards & buoyancy jackets (on summer voyages)

What is not included

• Alcoholic beverages
• Towels
• Wellie boots
• Waterproof jackets & trousers 

What to Bring

Please limit yourself to one soft bag or rucksack as there is limited storage space on board. No suitcases please!

Tallulah does not have waterproof jacket and trousers yet, so please bring a properly waterproof jacket and trousers on all voyages.

Walking and cycling waterproofs are usually adequate and much lighter to pack, so there really is no need to buy a coastal sailing jacket (unless you really want an excuse to invest in your future sailing). If you need any advice, or lack of a jacket is preventing you participating, please ring us on 01326 53 1234

• warm, windproof jacket for days when you don't want to wear a waterproof jacket
• Hats for sun and cold weather.
• At least two sets of warm clothes - layers e.g. tracksuit bottoms, shirts, fleece jacket, wool jumpers, thick socks, and neck scarf. It can get cold at sea even in mid summer.
• Swim suit, towel, and suntan lotion.
• we have space if you want to bring a wetsuit for wild swimming or SUP adventures
• Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes.
• Sailing boots or wellies as the sea can come over deck if rough*.
• (An alternative to boots in summer is to bring another pair of flat shoes with a good grip in case the first pair get wet).
• All terrain type sandals are great for dinghy trips ashore – but you do need shoes which protect your toes for sailing.
• Scillies trips – Walking boots are useful and can be these can be worn on deck too
• A small rucksack is useful for going ashore
• Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read.
• Passport for European or Ireland Voyages, Reciprocal Free Health Care card in Europe.
• Please bring a passport on French trips
• Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasick tablets - check with your Doctor, which brand if you suffer asthma or are on medication.
• RYA Cruising Logbook or similar if you want to log your sailing experience e.g. sea miles, night hours
• Musical instruments are always welcome.

Alcohol

Tallulah does not always have wine bottles for sale on board so you are welcome to bring modest quantities of alcohol, (unless it is an alcohol free voyage) e.g. to drink with evening meals, but drinking whilst sailing is not allowed.

A Note on Covid 19

While Tallulah's guests do not need to prove Covid Vaccination status at this time, it is expected that if a guest feels unwell prior to joining the ship they should always use common sense and test when appropriate to decide whether they should join the voyage, for their own safety and the safety of others onboard. It is a requirement that guests on residential voyages take out appropriate Travel Insurance and care should be taken to ensure insurance includes cover for such a case. Likewise, should members of Tallulah's professional crew including the skipper feel unwell prior to a voyage, they will always use common sense & test when appropriate.

 

Fantastic experience where we were given expert help and advice by Debbie and crew. I never thought we would tack Talulah into Falmouth harbour but we did, what a fun experience and soooo enjoyable. Highly recommended and will be booking up again soon, thank you

Howard - July 2023

This was the first time I had sailed, and although I suffered from seasickness a couple of times, the experience was something that I could not have even imagined. The crew were all very helpful to a "newbie" and would think of another sailing trip, but perhaps in calmer waters .

Anonymous happy customer - July 2023

Fantastic day! The skipper (Debbie) kept it interesting by rotating crew and still maintaining full control! Amazing

James - July 2023

Debbie is great, she has a great passion for sailing and is very knowledgeable about boat building too! Anthony was extremely helpful, they make a great team and they made us feel very comfortable on board. Understandably, there is limited space and privacy but I slept really well which I really did not expect! Would love to sail again with Debbie and Tallulah.

Caroline Spring 2023

Thanks for looking after us very well. Good to be in safe, sure and pleasant hands...It was a nice experience I've wanted to try for a long time. Thanks for making it a good one...I love what you're doing and your courage and I wish you great success.

Diane

Great to sail on another class of sailing vessel with an experienced skipper and mate. I enjoyed the sailing a lot. The crew were very helpful and the food was very good.

Peter

Sailing on Tallulah

Both Debbie and Jess were excellent. Both were good at explaining things and very patient. I have also been out on Moosk and Agnes. Going out on Tallulah with Debbie and Jess was by far the best experience.

Alasdair, Spring 2023

Photos and images of the striking 44ft pilot cutter Tallulah, offering charter voyages for individuals, couples and groups from 2022.  Based in St Mawes, Cornwall. No experience is necessary and a local skipper as your guide.