Sailing Courses

Whether you are looking to learn to sail and take your first few tentative steps into Yachting, or go professional and earn your RYA Yachtmaster™ we’ve got you covered!

As well as the RYA sailing & powerboat course catalogue, we offer a full range of theory courses (both classroom and online-based), plus our own in-house courses like our very popular Marina Skills & Power Handling day, through to the exciting Spinnaker and Downwind Sailing weekends for the more advanced sailor.

Our Most Popular Courses

From total beginners to seasoned sailors, we have something for everyone. Below are a few of our most popular options to help you chart your course:

• Learn to Sail on start yachting
  Get started with keelboat sailing on the Solent! In just a few hours, you’ll learn to handle a modern yacht both ashore and afloat, building confidence as you glide across the water.
• Day Skipper
  Ready to take charge? This course bridges the gap from crew to confident skipper, giving you the practical skills and leadership to command a small yacht.
• Level 2 Powerboat Handling
  Perfect for those new to powerboating, this two-day introduction covers all the basics so you can master the waves with assurance.
• Marine Radio (SRC) Certification
  If you use a VHF radio on board or carry a handheld set, this one-day course ensures you’re properly licensed and confident in its operation.
• Essential Navigation and Seamanship
  Sharpen your skills in navigation, tidal awareness, chart work, and safety—delivered either in the classroom over two days or via an eight-hour online module. This course is popular with Dinghy instructors, Powerboat instructors, PWC instructors and Windsurf instructors
• First Aid for Sailors
  Our one-day, water-focused first aid course covers everything from CPR to managing cold water shock, tailored specifically for life afloat.

And that’s just the beginning—whatever your goals, we’re here to help you get underway and progress at your own pace.

We also offer exciting special events such as the yearly Round the Island Race and the truly iconic Fastnet Race, complete with qualifying races and full training programme.

Essential Navigation & Seamanship Courses

Our Essential Navigation & Seamanship courses are a fantastic way to build a solid foundation before heading out on the water. You’ll get to grips with everything from chart work and tidal calculations to buoyage, basic pilotage, and crucial safety knowledge.

We also cover weather awareness, handling emergency situations, and interpreting navigational aids—giving you the confidence to plot your course whether you’re learning in a friendly classroom environment, or prefer the flexibility of studying online in your own time.

From Crew Member to Skipper: Taking the Next Step

Ready to swap taking orders for giving them? Moving from crew member to skipper is a leap that brings newfound confidence, responsibility, and plenty of excitement. If you already know your halyards from your sheet bends but want to be the one calling the shots, our hands-on practical courses are designed to help you build the key skills that matter on the water.

You’ll cover everything from passage planning and navigation to boat handling and leadership, all in an encouraging and fun learning environment. With plenty of time at the helm and scenarios to put your decision-making to the test, you’ll finish the course prepared to take command of a small yacht—no more looking around for who’s in charge (hint: it’s you).

Beginner Powerboat Handling Course: What to Expect

If you’re ready to swap theory for throttle and dip your toes into the world of powerboating, our beginner’s course makes an ideal launch pad. Across two fun and information-packed days, you’ll discover the foundations needed to handle a powerboat safely and confidently.

You’ll spend your time both afloat and ashore, getting comfortable at the helm while covering:

• Fundamental driving and manoeuvring techniques
• Essential safety procedures and equipment
• Mooring, securing, and leaving a berth
• Boat handling at slow and planning speeds
• Basic navigation and rules of the road
• How to respond to emergency situations on the water

No prior boating experience? No problem! This course is designed for absolute beginners, giving you the practical know-how and confidence to skipper small powerboats, explore coastal waters, or simply enjoy life at the marina.

Ready to jump in and feel the rush of the open water?

Certificates of Competence: Your Next Step

If you’re aiming to skipper your own yacht or take charge on a powerboat, Certificates of Competence are the gold standard in boating qualifications. These internationally recognised certificates are designed for sailors who want to demonstrate their ability through experience and examination, rather than coursework alone.

What Exactly Is a Certificate of Competence?

Unlike standard courses, Certificates of Competence are practical qualifications that prove you have what it takes to command a vessel—even in challenging conditions. Think of them as your own ‘captain’s license’. Achieving one shows you’ve mastered not only the theory but the hands-on skills that matter out on the water.

How Do You Earn One?

Here’s a quick guide:

• Build experience: Log miles as skipper or crew in a variety of conditions. Offshore passages and night sailing all count!
• Brush up on knowledge: Take theory courses, and keep your navigation and safety skills sharp. Online and classroom options are both available.
• Book your examination: When you’re ready, sign up for a practical assessment with an approved examiner. You’ll be tested on everything from passage planning to boat handling.
• Pass the exam: Show off your skills and earn the certificate that opens doors to chartering and skippering adventures worldwide.

Whether you’re looking to boost your skills for a dream holiday or move towards a professional maritime career, Certificates of Competence are your springboard.

Do I Need a VHF Marine Radio Licence?

If you plan to use a VHF marine radio—whether fixed onboard or handheld- UK law requires you to hold an operator’s licence. This isn’t just paperwork; having the right qualification ensures you know how to use your radio correctly, so you can communicate clearly and, most importantly, call for help in an emergency.

Getting qualified is straightforward. You can complete your Short Range Certificate (SRC) in a single day, with a mix of practical training and a short exam at the end. This course covers essential radio procedures, distress calls, and how to operate digital selective calling (DSC) equipment, preparing you for both everyday use and emergency situations.

Ready to get legal and confident on the water? Check our course calendar below for upcoming dates and get your certification sorted.

One-Day First Aid Course for Water Users

Our tailored one-day first aid course is designed with boaters and water enthusiasts in mind. During the course, you’ll gain practical know-how in dealing with a range of emergencies that can happen on or around the water—including CPR, treating head injuries, and responding to cold water shock. The training is hands-on, relevant, and focused on real scenarios you might encounter whether you’re out at sea, navigating marinas, or enjoying inland waterways.

It’s an essential add-on for anyone looking to bolster their safety skills and be prepared for whatever the wind (or waves) might bring.

Launching Your Career on the Water

Thinking about turning your passion for sailing or boating into a career? Professional roles on the water, from charter skipper to delivery captain or instructor, all demand proper certification—and some serious sea time.

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll typically need: Specialist Qualifications

• Yachtmaster Certificates: Recognised worldwide, these are your ticket to professional skippering jobs. They come in various flavours—Coastal, Offshore, and Ocean—to match your ambitions and experience.
• Commercial Endorsement : Want to get paid? Most professional maritime positions require your certificates to be commercially endorsed—meaning you’ve also ticked off safety and medical requirements.
• Specialist Qualifications: Depending on your chosen path, additional courses like Sea Survival, First Aid at Sea, or advanced powerboat handling may be necessary.

If your goal is to work on superyachts, deliver boats across continents, or teach others the ropes, building a strong foundation with the right mix of practical and theoretical training is essential. We can help you chart the course through your journey from keen amateur to accomplished professional.

Pathways to Becoming a Certified Instructor or Coach

Ready to take your love of sailing to the next level and inspire others along the way? Becoming a certified instructor or coach is your ticket to turning passion into a lifelong adventure—whether on home waters or across the globe.

Steps to Certification

Start by building a solid foundation through practical courses and theory modules. Many aspiring instructors follow this journey:

• Build Experience: Log plenty of hours on the water and refine your skills across varying conditions and types of boats. The more well-rounded your seamanship, the better!
• Complete Required Courses: Enroll in instructor training courses (these are typically available both in-person and online) from renowned organizations like ourselves, running the RYA Instructor Scheme from our base in Gosport. Courses often cover instructional techniques, safety procedures, and leadership skills.
• Gather Certifications: Progress through standardized sailing qualifications—think day skipper, coastal skipper, or equivalent—so you have the knowledge and credentials expected of an instructor or coach.
• Gain Real-World Practice: Take part in practice teaching sessions, often included in instructor training, where you’ll deliver actual lessons under observation.
• Assessment & Endorsement: Demonstrate your skills in both practical settings and written exams. Once you pass, you’ll receive your official instructor or coaching certification.

Launching Your Teaching or Coaching Career

With your certification in hand, you’ll find a world of opportunities at your helm, from coaching youth racing teams to leading adventure charters. Many instructors work at sailing schools, yacht clubs, or with international holiday providers—some even transition into private coaching roles or run their own sea-based businesses.

Why Choose Sailing as a Career?

Beyond the lure of open water, teaching and coaching offer the chance to:

• Share your knowledge and enthusiasm with new sailors
• Help shape confident, capable boaters
• Enjoy a flexible, outdoor lifestyle with global travel options

So, if you’ve ever dreamt of trading the office for the deck, or guiding crews through their first unfurling spinnaker, instructor or coaching certification could be your next big move.

Expand Your Horizons

As well as the RYA sailing & powerboat course catalogue, we offer a full range of theory courses (both classroom and online-based), plus our own in-house courses like our very popular Marina Skills & Power Handling day, through to the exciting Spinnaker and Downwind Sailing weekends for the more advanced sailor.

We also offer exciting special events such as the yearly Round the Island Race and the truly iconic Fastnet Race, complete with qualifying races and full training programme.

NEW – Returning Customer rewards scheme.

For every £800 spent with us on courses and holidays, mile builders etc receive off your next order a 2.5% discount.

(Based on a 12 month rolling accumulative spend total on courses and Mile builders, Maximum discount of 15%) Orders for this can only be taken via phone / Email and Invoice with BACS payment.

Example:
Customer has spent £1600 with us over the last 12months, so receives 5% off their next course. The cost of their next course is added to the rolling total, which could increase the discount for any future courses booked

(Charters are excluded from this offer, separate scheme for chartering applies)