Courses & Fees
†Price for the boat, not per person.
2012 Fees
(all prices are GBP Sterling per person)Course
Click here for general information on the RYA Sail Cruising
and Yachtmaster Scheme or on the course title for full details of the
pre-course requirementsDuration Low Season
01 Jan - 31 Mar
30 Sep - 26 DecHigh Season
01 Apr - 29 Sep
27 Dec - 31 DecPractical Courses:
RYA Start Yachting (min. 2 people)
2 days £265 £290 5 days £515 £545 Skippering Experience RYA Cruising Instructor 5 days
£595
£625
Skippered Charter/Whole Boat Booking
(includes RYA instruction at any level for up to 5 people)5 days
£2,060† £2,180† Try a Day Sail / Day Charter (min. 2 people) 1 day
£135
£150
Practical Examination Courses:
5 days £515* £545* RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Prep International Certificate of Competence (CEVNI optional) 1 day
£200*
£200*
RYA Shorebased Courses:
Basic Navigation and Safety 2 days
£265
£290
5 days £445 £445 Yachtmaster Ocean 5 days £465 £465 1 day £95* £95* First Aid 1 day £100 £100 Diesel Engine 1 day £100 £100 Radar 1 day £100 £100 RYA Combined Courses: RYA Day Skipper Combined Shorebased & Practical 9 days £850 £895 Own Boat Tuition: Own Boat Tuition or ICC test on your own boat
(RYA instruction at any level for up to 5 people on your own sailing yacht)As req'd £150 per day
£150 per day
* Does not include exam/issue fees payable to RYA - £38 ICC (free to RYA members); £168 Yachtmaster Coastal; £194 Yachtmaster Offshore; £30 VHF SRC or a share of examiner’s travel expenses for Yachtmaster Coastal & Offshore exams (there are examiners based locally so this is normally between 50 and 80 euros which is shared between the number of exam candidates).Click here for information on How to Book
- All courses are available all year round.
- All 5 day courses start on Monday mornings at 09.30am.
- Start Yachting and Basic Navigation courses are normally run on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekday courses can be arranged, subject to availability.
What you can expect
The actual itinerary you follow will be dictated by the weather conditions and wind direction prevailing at the time of your course, however, a typical 5 day practical course will follow a similar itinerary to the one detailed below:
Monday: A full safety briefing followed by a gentle introductory sail to allow you to acclimatise to the climate, the motion of the yacht and to find your sea legs. We will usually return to the base port of Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the evening and eat ashore or visit Ayamonte in Spain. Tuesday: Sail out of Vila Real de Santo Antonio and round to the marina of Isla Canela or Isla Cristina. Alternatively, we sail up the river Guadiana and tie up alongside a river pontoon or anchor so as to wake up to the peaceful sounds of river life. Wednesday: Head on to the lagoon of Faro and negotiate the entrance in the dark! We normally have dinner on board or row ashore to sample the delicious, fresh local fare on the sand bar island of Culatra. Thursday: The lagoon of Faro is the perfect location for practising your pilotage skills by navigating up to Faro or Olhão, negotiating narrow channels between sand banks. After lunch we start heading back towards Vila Real de Santo Antonio, stopping to spend the night in another beautiful anchorage, Tavira. Friday: Sail back to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, yacht cleanup above and below decks, course debrief and certificate issue. Adjourn to the local watering hole for an après-course drink! Discounts
Discounts are not applicable to Special Offers
- 10% discount for returning customers.
- 5% discount for group bookings of 3 persons (n.b. the course fees for a whole boat booking already incorporate a discount so no further discount is applicable).
- 5% discount for two consecutive weeks, 10% for three up to a maximum of 15% for four or more weeks.
What your fees include
- Fully qualified professional instruction and use of all safety equipment.
- Breakfast, lunch and refreshments on board (plus two evening meals during 5 day practical courses).
- Fuel and mooring fees.
- Accommodation on board for practical courses (except Try a Day Sail / Day Charter).
- Freshly laundered linen plus loan of oilskins.
- Practice navigation charts, tables and course notes for shorebased courses.
- Tea, coffee and light refreshments for shorebased courses.
What is not included
- Flights and transfers (transfers from 12 euros per person).
- Meals eaten ashore.
- Accommodation for shorebased courses.
- RYA logbooks G15 (£5.50), VHF Radio (£6.99), Practical Course Notes for Competent Crew and Day Skipper (£10.99). If you would like to receive any of these or other books prior to your course, please visit our bookshop.
RYA Sail Cruising and Yachtmaster Scheme
Whilst there is no requirement to start with the most basic course and work your way through the RYA levels, the following table sets out the recommended route through the RYA Sail Cruising and Yachtmaster scheme. Those with prior experience can start at the level best suited for them. Before taking the Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper practical courses it is always advisable to take the equivalent shorebased navigation course. The subject is too complex to be covered in sufficient detail on board the boat, so your best preparation is to take a shorebased course and then put the skills into practice on the water. Please contact us for advice if you are unsure as to which course is appropriate for you.
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Duration Suggested minimum pre-course experience Assumed Knowledge 2 days None None This course is designed for complete beginners. Our aim is to give you an enjoyable introduction to cruising. The syllabus includes an introduction to sailing and seamanship. On completion of this course, you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board. Holders of a Start Yachting certificate can obtain a Competent Crew certificate by completing a further three days or two weekends of the Competent Crew course.
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Duration Suggested minimum pre-course experience Assumed Knowledge 5 days None None This course is designed for both complete beginners, and those who have had some experience of either dinghy sailing or cruising. Our aim is to give you an enjoyable introduction to cruising. The syllabus includes a solid foundation in seamanship, boathandling, safety at sea, nautical terms, rope work, sail handling, rules of the road, helmsmanship and general duties above and below deck. On completion of this course, you should be a confident, useful crew member of a cruising yacht. Successful completion of this course also gives you the minimum requirements to qualify for the RYA Day Skipper course.
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RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence
Duration Suggested minimum pre-course experience Assumed Knowledge 5 days 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours Basic navigation and sailing ability On this course you will learn basic skippering techniques and boathandling skills in a variety of mooring situations. Under the guidance of your instructor, you will be put in charge on short passages and cover subjects such as deck work, sail trim, emergency situations and man overboard drill. The course also includes meteorology, engine checks, preparation for sea, passage planning, navigation and pilotage and rules of the road so that by the end of the course, a successful Day Skipper will be able to skipper a small yacht in familiar, tidal waters by day. Successful completion of this course also qualifies British Citizens and/or UK residents to apply for the International Certificate of Competence which may be required if you sail or charter in certain European countries - application forms are available from the RYA.
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Duration Suggested minimum pre-course experience Assumed Knowledge 5 days 15 days (2 as Skipper), 300 miles, 8 night hours Navigation to Coastal Skipper shorebased standard. Sailing to Day Skipper practical standard This course concentrates on the techniques and skills required to skipper a yacht on longer coastal and offshore passages. It includes passage planning, pilotage, advanced navigation and dealing with adverse weather and emergency situations. After the course, the successful candidate will be able to skipper a yacht safely on long distance coastal passages by day and by night in tidal waters.
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Duration
Knowledge 5 days
Variable
This course is designed for those between standards, ie between Competent Crew and Day Skipper, between Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper or between Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster standard wishing to gain further skippering experience and hone their sailing skills; it is also suitable for those who do not want to gain an RYA certificate but simply wish to sail for 5 days. The course provides valuable experience and sea miles and instruction is tailored to your needs. This is our most popular course - an excellent confidence builder.
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Duration
Pre-course Requirements
Assumed Knowledge
5 days
RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore with commercial endorsement
The current RYA syllabi from Start Yachting to Day Skipper
This 5 day course is for candidates who already hold a commercially endorsed RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification who would like to teach the RYA syllabus up to Day Skipper level at an RYA recognised training centre. You must have good communication skills as well as a patient and easy-going personality.
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Duration
Pre-course Requirements 5 days
None
This is designed for those who simply wish to enjoy relaxing social cruising in the sunshine. You choose the pace on this holiday - the yacht is equipped with a sun awning and snorkelling equipment for those leisurely lunchtime stops and also an inflatable dinghy for getting ashore from that perfect anchorage location. During the charter we will be visiting some of the most beautiful anchorages and beaches that the Algarve has to offer with plenty of time ashore to visit local restaurants, shops and places of interest.
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RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal & Offshore Prep
* reduced requirements of 20 days and 400 miles for holders of the Coastal Skipper Course Completion Certificate.
Duration Minimum seatime within last 10 years Pre-course requirements 5 days Yachtmaster Coastal: 30* days, 2 as skipper, 800* miles, 12 night hours
Restricted (VHF only) Radio Operator’s Certificate or VHF Short Range Certificate First Aid Certificate
Yachtmaster Offshore: 50 days, 5 as skipper, 2,500 miles, 5 passages over 60 miles including 2 overnight and 2 as skipper
This is an intensive, advanced level course for experienced sailors wishing to hone their skills in preparation for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore examination. The exam is conducted by an independent examiner on the final day. This course concentrates on close quarters handling under sail and power, blind navigation, pilotage, crew management, rules of the road and any other areas that need brushing up. At least 50% of the minimum seatime required must have been obtained within tidal waters. For Yachtmaster Offshore, at least 3 of the 5 required passages must be tidal and include one as skipper and one overnight. For either level, you must have a sound knowledge of all aspects of the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased syllabus.
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RYA Basic Navigation and Safety (Sail & Motor)
Duration Suggested Minimum pre-course experience Assumed Knowledge 2 days None None The aim of this course is to help you become more competent, knowledgeable and safer on the water. It provides a basic introduction to navigation and safety. You will cover subjects such as nautical terms, safety, chartwork, tides, meteorology, passage planning, pilotage and international regulations for preventing collisions at sea. A shorebased course completion certificate is issued upon successful completion of the course.
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RYA Day Skipper (Sail & Motor)
Duration Suggested Minimum pre-course experience Assumed Knowledge 5 days Some practical experience desirable None This course provides a thorough introduction to navigation and seamanship theory. You will cover subjects such as nautical terms, ropework, safety, chartwork, tides and tidal streams, meteorology, passage planning, pilotage and international regulations for preventing collisions at sea. A shorebased course completion certificate is issued upon successful completion of two short exams.
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RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore (Sail & Motor)
Duration Assumed Knowledge 5 days Navigation to Day Skipper shorebased standard This course is an advanced study of navigation, seamanship and meteorology. It deals with the more complex elements of safety, calculating tidal heights, secondary port tidal predictions, making offshore passages, pilotage and preparation for heavy weather. A shorebased certificate is issued upon successful completion of three short exams.
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Duration Assumed Knowledge 5 days Navigation to Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased standard A course in astro-navigation, worldwide meteorology and passage planning. A shorebased certificate is issued upon successful completion of an exam.
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Duration Assumed Knowledge 1 day Phonetic Alphabet An intensive one day course which covers all aspects of using VHF radio including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and Digital Selective Calling. There is a short exam at the end of the day which should leave you confident in the use of this equipment.
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Duration Assumed Knowledge 1 day None A one day course designed to provide a working knowledge of First Aid procedures for people using small craft and to support skippers of yacht and motor vessels. It fulfils the requirements for skippers of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven. The course is MCA and HSE approved and is therefore sufficient for anyone requiring a commercial endorsement. The RYA First Aid certificate is valid for 3 years from date of issue.
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Duration Assumed Knowledge 1 day None A one day course designed to provide an awareness of the main systems of a marine diesel engine and teaches the ability to take simple measures to prevent mechanical breakdown at sea and rectify defects which do not require workshop support. Mechanical failure is the main cause of lifeboat callout to yachts and motor cruisers. Basic maintenance and engine care may make sure you are not part of these figures! The syllabus includes the principles of the diesel engine; the four-stroke cycle; the fuel system; the cooling system; the air systems; engine electrical systems; spares and tool requirements; the importance of winterisation and servicing and fault finding.
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Duration Assumed Knowledge 1 day None A one day course designed to teach students to use small boat Radar to assist decision-making in navigation, pilotage and collision avoidance. The syllabus includes switching on and setting up; refining the picture; understanding the picture; radar reflectors; fixing position by radar; pilotage by radar and collision avoidance.
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Duration Assumed Knowledge As required None Why not learn on your own boat? As long as your boat is equipped to RYA safety standards, you and up to 4 others can do an RYA course, an ICC test or just improve your skills on your own boat for £150 per day plus the instructor's food and travel expenses. RYA courses can only be conducted on sailing yachts, not power craft.
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