Which Course Is For Me?

Use our quick-reference course finders to choose the right course for you.

RYA PRACTICAL SAIL CRUISING COURSES
YOUR KNOWLEDGE	RECOMMENDED COURSE	PRE-REQUISITE EXPERIENCE
I have no experience of sailing, and I am keen to give it a try	RYA Start Yachting 1 weekend	None required
I have little or no experience on a yacht, but would like to take part in sailing and be a useful crew member	RYA Competent Crew 5 days or 3 weekends	None – none of us were born salty
I have basic sailing ability and understand a little navigation. I would like to be able to skipper a yacht on simple passages	RYA Day Skipper practical 5 days or 3 weekends	You ideally need to have spent 5 days on a yacht, and have sailed 100 miles, including 4 hours of night sailing
I can sail a yacht and understand the principles of navigation. I would like to consolidate my skills and gain skippering confidence and expertise	RYA Coastal Skipper practical 5 days	You need to have spent 15 days aboard a yacht of which 2 days should be as the skipper, have sailed 300 miles including 8 night hours
I have completed my RYA Coastal Skipper course and wish to take the examination	RYA Exam for Coastal Skipper certificate of competence 1 weekend	400 miles*, 20 days living on board, 12 night hours, 2 days as skipper, a first aid certificate and VHF licence
I am an experienced sailor and navigator with good skippering experience (both day and night) and would like to take my Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence	UKSA Yachtmaster preparation course 5 days	You need 50 days at sea, including 5 days as skipper, 2500 miles, with 5 passages over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper. VHF radio operators licence or SRC, First aid certificate
I have completed my RYA Yachtmaster Preparation course and wish to take my examination	Exam for RYA Yachtmaster (Offshore) certificate of competence 1 weekend	As above
I am a competent sailor and navigator and would like to extend my experience to ocean passages	UKSA Oceanmaster Training Duration: 3 weeks	If you are doing the course for experience and adventure, no knowledge is required. If you’re aiming for RYA Yachtmaster (Ocean) you must hold RYA Yachtmaster (Offshore)

* Minimum sea time for Coastal Skipper exam candidates who have not completed the Coastal Skipper practical course is 800 miles.

RYA PRACTICAL MOTOR CRUISING COURSES
YOUR KNOWLEDGE	RECOMMENDED COURSE	PRE-REQUISITE EXPERIENCE
I have very little experience on a motor yacht and would like to be able to learn how to handle the boat safely	RYA Helmsman 1 weekend	None required
I have a basic knowledge of boat handling and would love to learn about navigation and have the confidence to do more complicated manoeuvres	RYA Day Skipper practical 4 days or 2 weekends	At least 2 days previous experience on a motor cruiser
I can skipper a motor cruiser in familiar waters by day, including navigation and pilotage. I would like to gain skippering confidence and additional expertise (both day and night)	RYA Coastal Skipper practical course 5 days	RYA Coastal Skipper shore-based course completion, plus 15 days at sea, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours
I have completed my RYA Coastal Skipper course and wish to take the examination	RYA Exam for Coastal Skipper certificate of competence 1 weekend	400 miles*, 20 days living on board, 12 night hours, 2 days as skipper, a first aid certificate and VHF licence
I am an experienced sailor and navigator with good skippering experience (both day and night) and would like to take my Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence	UKSA Yachtmaster preparation course 5 days	You need 50 days at sea, days as skipper, 2500 miles, with 5 passages over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper. VHF radio operators licence or SRC, First aid certificate
I have completed my yachtmaster preparation week and wish to take my oral exam	Exam for RYA Yachtmaster (Offshore) certificate of competence	As above

* Minimum sea time for Coastal Skipper exam candidates who have not completed the Coastal Skipper practical course is 800 miles

RYA PRACTICAL POWER BOATING COURSES
YOUR KNOWLEDGE	RECOMMENDED COURSE	PRE-REQUISITE EXPERIENCE
I have no experience of power boating or RIB handling, but would like to learn the basics	RYA Powerboat Level 2	None required
I have some experience and understand the basics, but would like to extend my knowledge so that I can make short coastal passages	RYA Powerboat Intermediate	Equivalent to RYA Powerboat Level 2
I have some power boating experience and want to learn how to be an effective safety boat coxswain	RYA Safety Boat	Equivalent to RYA Powerboat Level 2