RYA Cruising Instructor
Booking details
Please select your preferred start date below.
Please select your preferred start date below.
Joining Instructions: Please click here for course joining instructions
What is included in the course cost:
We can accommodate most dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian or gluten free. Just let us know when you fill out the booking form.
Recommended Reading & Purchase: RYA Yachtmaster Handbook Sail (G70), RYA Yacht Sailing Techniques (G94), RYA Yachtmaster scheme and syllabus (G158), Collision Regulations (G2) Yachtmaster Scheme Instructor Handbook (G27)
Course Prerequisites: RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence with Commercial Endorsement, Valid RYA First Aid at Sea certificate, RYA Membership, RYA Cruising Instructor pre-course knowledge interactive on-line course e-certificate
Minimum Age: 18
Holiday Insurance: We would advise ALL our customers to ensure they have suitable holiday insurance in-place. Yachtsman’s insurance is available from a variety of souces like Topsail Insurance and can cover things like cancellations and personal effects cover.
When it comes to advancing your skills or launching your career in the world of yachting, the benefits of selecting a top RYA-approved training centre are second to none. Here’s why taking your training with a respected provider makes all the difference:
Training at a leading RYA centre isn’t just about earning a ticket; it’s about gaining the skills, confidence, and connections to truly thrive on the water.
This course is designed for RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore qualified sailors (With Commercial Endoresement) who want to take that next step towards becoming a qualified RYA Cruising Instructor.
The RYA Cruising Instructor qualification enables you to teach the RYA Start Yachting, RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper practical courses when working for an accredited RYA Training Centre.
Run over five days, you’ll be assessed by a qualified RYA Cruising Instructor Trainer, who will test your practical and theory skills to the max. You’ll need to be fully conversant with the RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper courses, along with complete familiarisation with the Col-Regs (Collision Regulations).
You will be expected to give a comprehensive demonstration of any part of the RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper syllabus including: Knots, sail-handling, man overboard drills both under power and sail, mooring/anchoring, pilotage by day and night, IRPCS, basic meteorology, chartwork / navigation and general skippering of a vessel, including expert management of the crew.
Our RYA Cruising Instructor courses have a maximum of 4 students. All students will get their own bed on board. In some instances sharing a cabin may be required.
Courses run in a single format:
During your RYA Cruising Instructor Course you’ll be fully residential aboard one of our fleet yachts, visiting various marinas and anchorages around the Solent.
The course includes free accommodation aboard our immaculate, well-maintained yachts with breakfast, lunch and snacks plus three evening meals onboard (One evening meal is taken ashore at the students own cost). We also include all fuel and safety kit such as lifejackets and waterproofs. All Students are able to live and stay on board the yacht for the duration of the course.
When it comes to advancing your skills or launching your career in the world of yachting, the benefits of selecting a top RYA -approved training centre are second to none. Here’s why taking your training with a respected provider makes all the difference:
Training at a leading RYA centre isn’t just about earning a ticket; it’s about gaining the skills, confidence, and connections to truly thrive on the water.
This course is the next logical step for all RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualified sailors who want to become an RYA qualified Cruising Instructor.
Run over five days, it’s an intensive course which will test all your practical and theory skills to the limit. You’ll need to be on the ball and able to demonstrate various skills in a range of different conditions, along with demonstrating your knowledge of the Collision Regulations (Col-Regs) and the RYA Competent Crew Course Skills, as well as the RYA Day Skipper Practical Skills on the courses (don’t forget you are an RYA Yacht Master so good Seamanship will be needed). – Subtle hint, time to get the books out and refresh yourself with both courses and get some sailing time practicing!!
You’ll also need to ensure your interpersonal skills are up to scratch, and that you are professional, personable, approachable, friendly and most importantly in command at all times! The key here is to look and behave like an Instructor you would want to be taught by yourself. So, smarten yourselves up, dress the part (No excuse for tatty kit!), act the part, be the part!
Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by our instructor team, which consists of highly skilled industry experts who bring their expertise and real-world experience to every session. Their hands-on knowledge and passion for sailing will enhance your learning, providing valuable insights into best practices both on the water and in the classroom. Our instructors are dedicated not just to ticking boxes, but to ensuring you develop the confidence, skills, and mindset required to thrive as an RYA Cruising Instructor.
We also offer students the potential to undertake this course for free, once a learning agreement has been entered into with us.
Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be expected to work-back the course cost by undertaking up to ten days of instructing during the current sailing season (Work-back dates are flexible), thus you’ll be getting valuable instant hands-on teaching experience immediately.
There is also the possibility to come and join the Commodore Yachting Training team permanently! (Interview and sailing assessment will be done prior to this being offered)
This course is specifically designed for those who already hold an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certificate of competence and are looking to take the next step—teaching on the water up to Day Skipper level. It’s the ideal stepping stone if you’re aiming to become a Yachtmaster Instructor in the future and want to build your credentials and confidence as a professional instructor.
Whether your goal is to refine your own seamanship, pass on your knowledge to new sailors, or pursue a rewarding career in sailing instruction, this course provides the perfect blend of practical experience, mentorship, and career progression.
Please select your preferred start date below.
Choose from two flexible formats to suit your schedule:
This RYA-accredited, one-day course delivers essential first aid skills tailored for yachts and small craft, focusing on maritime emergencies. Perfect for sailors on inland waters, rivers, estuaries, or coastal passages, it covers critical scenarios from a boating perspective, ensuring you’re prepared to handle emergencies at sea with confidence.
Don’t wait to enhance your safety knowledge—
Check our live course calendar today and secure your place in this vital training. Your peace of mind, and potentially lives, could depend on it.
Take a look at our live course calendar for dates for the RYA First Aid at Sea course!
Learn more
The RYA Sea Survival Course is an essential for any sailor. Teaching self-help survival techniques and what to do when all is lost, it’s a prerequisite for longer passages, offshore sailing and those wanting to get into racing like RORC Fastnet.
Take a look at our live course calendar for dates for the RYA Sea Survival course.
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Fun couple of days with the Commodore team doing Day Skipper drills ahead of a YM exam. Very useful and great instruction from Ali.
ChrisCI have used Commodore Yachting for the following courses and would never go anywhere else for training or experience building: Sail - Competent Crew Sail - Day Skipper Sail - Mariner Handling Power - PB2 Power - Own boat tuition Motor Yacht Power - Own boat tuition RIB All the instructors have been great and I have come away with bags of confidence. The Chief Instructor Tom is extremely knowledgable and will guide you as to what steps to take in achieving your goals.
Robert Till