learn to sail a yacht uk

This course is aimed at the complete novice who would like to try sailing for the first time. The weekend is run by friendly instructors who understand you may be apprehensive.

Training ladders provide a structured training plan to develop competence in sailing, motor boating and power boating. Whether you want to improve your knowledge, charter a boat or cross an ocean the route is here.

The Hamble School of Yachting's Fast Track Professional Sail Training (PST) course is an intensive program of theoretical and practical sailing instruction.

Over 35 years of expert tuition

We are one of the leading RYA sea schools in the UK, specialising in RYA Sailing courses, RYA Motor courses and RYA Powerboat courses. We have been helping people who want to learn to sail for over 35 years by providing a full range of sailing courses and lessons as well as courses for professionals to MCA/STCW standards. Our sailing courses are run on a friendly yet professional basis with experienced instructors who will make your sailing lessons both fun and memorable.

We recognise that sail training is about your aspirations and will work with you to ensure that you maximise your achievement and most importantly you enjoy your time on the water or in the classroom. When you sign up with Hamble School of Yachting our relaxed family atmosphere will make you feel welcome as part of the team. Our aim is that you are proud to say you were trained at Hamble School of Yachting and will come back and recommend us to your friends and family.

ADVENTURE SAILING TO THE ARCTIC CIRCLE WITH SKIRR Under the power of sail, exploring pristine waters and imposing landscapes our journey to the High Latitudes of the arctic is pure exhilaration onboard the 68-foot expedition yachts.

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The UK's Leading Sailing School

RYA Courses, Cruises and Shore Based Tuition

The British Offshore Sailing School

Sailing at its Best

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British Offshore Sailing School

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Long Distance Cruises

RYA Competent Crew Sailing Course

RYA Competent Crew is the basic introductory crew training course for both the complete beginner and those who have some experience

Day Skipper Course - Shore based and Practical

An intensive course for those who want to complete both the theory and practical parts of the course in one period

Fastrack to Yachtmaster Offshore

18 Weeks FASTRAK to Yachtmaster is the original comprehensive, eighteen-week, professional seamanship training programme designed and run by the British Offshore Sailing School.

RYA Day Skipper - Practical

Introductory skippering course for those with some practical experience and theoretical knowledge

DofE - Open Gold Sailing Expeditions

Book now for 2024

Youth Cruising Courses

New courses scheduled - more places are now available

ICC - International Certificate of Competence (Sail)

Do you need your ICC? Training and assessment courses are run most weeks throughout the year.

Channel Islands Cruise

7 Days Cross Channel Cruise - the perfect way to gain 2 x 60 mile passages and develop Coastal and offshore navigation skills..

West Country Cruise

A 12 day Coastal Passage making cruise of the UKs South coast. Approximately 600 miles. Ideal coastal passage making experience for aspiring Yachtmasters

Established in 1991 and based at Hamble Point Marina, in Hamble near Southampton the British Offshore Sailing School (BOSS) is one of Britain's leading sailing schools. BOSS has full Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognition, is a Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) Approved Activity Provider and the sailing school is run by a team of instructors whose reputation is second to none.

The British Offshore Sailing School offer a comprehensive range of RYA practical and shore based sailing courses, starting with introductory sailing weekends for beginners, RYA Competent Crew , RYA Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Offshore Yachtmaster right through to sailing courses and cruises for Ocean Yachtmasters and RYA Instructors. In addition, a wide selection of special one day and weekend sailing courses and sailing masterclasses are available to people at all levels.

We also specialise in ladies only RYA sailing courses - run by our experienced RYA qualified instructors.  For individuals or groups who want a taste of adventure or wish to gain more experience and clock up some sea miles, we offer long distance holiday sailing cruises. For those who wish to improve their skills, a comprehensive selection of RYA and specialist shore based courses and are also available at Hamble. During the summer months we also have a busy teenagers sailing programme with options to take RYA Competent Crew or RYA Day Skipper courses as well providing 10 day Gold DofE sailing expedition programmes.

Our philosophy with all that we offer is that sailing should be fun, enjoyable and above all safe!

Get in touch

Call us to chat through your sailing plans +44 (0) 2380457733 Office opening hours Monday Friday 09:00hrs - 17:00hrs

Send us an email

+44(0)2380457733

Hamble Point Marina, School Lane, Hamble, Southampton, Hampshire. SO31 4NB

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Welcome to Pembrokeshire Cruising.

Rya sailing practical & theory courses. adventure & cruising. yacht charter..

We are celebrating 30 years on the water delivering the RYA Sail Training syllabus, Adventure Cruising & Mile Building and Yacht Charter. We have some of the best sail training waters in Europe. Based in Neyland Yacht Haven we have 24/7 access to the Mlford Haven waterways out to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and Wild Isle nature reserve islands.

We look forward to you joining us on the water this season.

Nikki & Roland

Celebrating 30 years of delivering excellence in RYA Sail Training. Adventure Cruising. Yacht Charter.

Pembrokeshire Cruising Neyland Marina Brunel Quay Neyland Pembrokeshire SA73 1PY Email : [email protected]

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RYA Online Courses

RYA online courses with Sailtrain

Learn to Navigate with Sailtrain Online

Our Online theory courses are designed to help you understand both the traditional and modern methods of navigation, pilotage, passage planning and meteorology. Excellent as stand alone courses, they also add significantly to any practical course.

Whether you sail or motor, our Online courses equip the novice and experienced with enough confidence, at least in theory, to skipper a yacht, power or motor boat.

RYA Online courses include: RYA Essential Navigation online course , RYA VHF Radio Course online , Online Day Skipper theory course , Coastal / Yachtmaster theory course online , Yachtmaster Ocean theory online , RYA CEVNI online test , PPR and the new Safe & Fun Safeguarding Course .

Brilliant step by step animations make every section of your RYA course easy to follow. You will work at your own speed and in your own time, in the comfort of your own home or office.

RYA One Day courses

Specialist one day courses with sailtrain.

Our programme of one-day RYA support courses enables you to expand your knowledge and skills in specialist areas.

Diesel Engine, RADAR and First Aid are among those offered.

They are great as stand alone courses, but also complement courses in our various practical training schemes.

Some courses, such as First Aid and the Marine Radio Short Range Certificate, are a pre-requisite for higher qualifications such as the RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore Certificate of Competence.

RYA One Day specialist courses include: Diesel Engine , RADAR and First Aid .

Learn to sail with Sailtrain

If living on board, cruising the coast or sailing offshore appeals to you, why not give sail cruising a go?

Cruising yachts have accommodation and cooking facilities, offering a degree of comfort whilst spending time afloat. How far you venture is up to you.

Whether you are a first-timer wanting to be a useful crew member, or a more experienced skipper wanting to expand your skills, there is an RYA course for you.

VHF (src) Online course – £69

OnLine Distance Learning course – Incl “VHF book worth £16.99”

This is a RYA VHF course online for anyone who owns a fixed or hand-held marine VHF radio.

RYA Day Skipper Online course – £275

The RYA Online Day Skipper course is a comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship. Invaluable for learning how to start making decisions on board.

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Bourne to Sail is Eastbourne’s very own RYA accredited Yacht Sailing School.

We offer a huge range of RYA Sail training and Shorebased courses along with Yachting experiences and Adventures for all.

Only 90 minutes from London on the South East Coast and nestled on a stunning coastline, we will ensure you leave us with lasting memories!

What’s on offer

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Seafarer Training

Rya courses in greece, croatia and the uk.

Seafarer Training runs RYA & other courses from our bases in Greece, Croatia and the UK. Our courses are taught by experienced instructors who have a real passion for sailing and are an ideal way to train, whether you are starting out, getting the licence to skipper a yacht on your own or refreshing your skills.

Our centres in Greece & Croatia run week long courses RYA Courses in the warm weather and stunning scenery of the islands they visit. During the summer months, these training yachts will operate alongside the flotilla allowing you to enjoy some of the social side of sailing with others and children to make use of kids club in the summer holidays. Our UK training centre is perfect for those preparing to sailing abroad with 5 day RYA courses running alongside weekend refresher courses. 

Read on for more information about our centres and how our courses run read on.

5/6 Day RYA Courses From £750pp

Where we Sail

We offer a complete set of courses that take you from a novice to a professional skipper, t o see our entire syllabus and training program for Yachts, click on the link below.

The pathway to becoming a skipper

The RYA training scheme unlocks the sailor within. Imagine the thrill of navigating your own yacht, the sun on your face, and the spray at your bow. Through their expert instruction, you’ll master the essentials of seamanship, understand weather patterns, and chart a confident course. This proven path equips you with the knowledge and skills to skipper small yachts in familiar waters, ready to set sail on unforgettable adventures.

The training scheme below is made up of three core courses (Start Yachting is not required) that if completed in turn offer the best pathway to sailing your own yacht, allowing you to realise that dream of sailing through azure waters, powered by the wind. You can find more information on each course by clicking on the icons below.

RYA Start Yachting

The RYA Start Yachting course is an introduction to sailing for complete beginners. It covers essential skills like steering, sail handling, and basic safety procedures, providing a foundation for further sailing education or simply enjoying time on the water. This is not a prerequisite to Competent Crew, but is a great course for children and those who are looking for a laid back week.

RYA Competent Crew

A great course for those wanting to learn to sail, the RYA Competent Crew equips you with the skills to be a valuable asset on board. You’ll learn sail handling, essential ropework, and seamanship practices, making you a confident and competent crew member for coastal adventures. No prior sailing experience required.

RYA Day Skipper Theory

This course, offered online, in class, or via distance learning, gives you the theoretical knowledge needed to undertake the Day Skipper Practical and thus skipper your own yacht. The course covers navigation, weather, seamanship and a number of other topics to prepare you or time at sea.

RYA Day Skipper Practical

Advance your sailing knowledge with the RYA Day Skipper course. This course, designed for those with some basic experience, builds on existing skills and introduces coastal navigation, passage planning, and yacht handling in both tidal and non-tidal waters. By the course’s end, you’ll be qualified to skipper small yachts on short coastal passages during daylight hours.

What makes a Seafarer Training Course Special

Seafarer training courses stand out in their unrivaled pathway into pathway into the world of sailing with a clear pathway through the RYA scheme and onto flotilla sailing, all in some of the worlds finest sailing destinations. All that you need is included on our courses (see below) and our instructors are both experienced and qualified to the highest professional standards. These factors combined with our passion creates a high-quality learning environment for aspiring sailors.

What's included

6 days* tuition with an RYA Cruising or Yachtmaster Instructors

All mooring fees* at harbours throughout the week

Fuel and gas for whole time you are on the yacht

Linen and towels* provided in cabins and saloon

 Provisions for breakfast & a light lunch while onboard**

A chance to experience what flotilla sailing is all about

*Due to the nature of the area our UK centre operates slightly differently with courses running from 2-5 days plus mooring fees and linen not being included. **Provisions for dinner are also included in the UK.

Our standards

At Seafarer, we make sure that all our courses are both safe and enjoyable, offering a high standard of tuition and comfort. At all of our schools, we ensure:

• You are under the supervision of an RYA qualified instructor while at sea.
• All our RYA instructors hold the requisite first aid certificates. They are fluent in English (all courses delivered in English, as per RYA regulations).
• Safety equipment on our tuition yachts complies with both local and British regulations.
• All yachts have DSC VHF radios, handheld VHF radios and mobile phones.
• Slim-line inflatable life jackets, harnesses and crotch straps are provided for each person aboard, with extra spares carried.
• For your comfort, all yachts are equipped with Bimini sun tops (sun shade), hot water, 2 SH/WC, deck shower, electric fridge, fully equipped galley and onboard music player.
• Accommodation on board is in double, twin or single cabins, or you can book a saloon berth. Sheets, pillowcases, pillows, blankets, duvets and towels are all provided. (for our UK school we recommend you bring your own sleeping bags and towels)
• Instructor/student ratio is maintained at a maximum of 5 students per instructor, in line with the RYA codes of practice.

Advanced & Other Courses

Rya courses beyond day skipper.

Sailing is a sport where you never stop learning and the RYA advanced courses take you on from Day Skipper to the professionally recognised RYA Yachtmaster. Below are the 3 courses we offer to take you up to the next level and you can click on the image for more information on each of these programmes.

RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory

The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory ups your sailing knowledge for complex coastal or offshore passages, day or night, preparing you for advanced practical exams. It builds on Day Skipper skills and dives deeper into navigation, weather, and passage planning.

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical

Level up your sailing! RYA Coastal Skipper takes experienced sailors beyond Day Skipper. You’ll master coastal navigation by day and night, skippering passages under instructor supervision. This hands-on course builds your confidence to handle challenging conditions and navigate independently along familiar coasts.

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore

The RYA Yachtmaster® is the ultimate credential. Recognized globally, it assesses your skills and experience, making you a trusted captain on the world’s waters. We offer a preparation week to build the skills needed for this high level assessment plus the exam itself.

Non RYA Courses

Rusty skipper.

These short programs are designed for those with prior experience who want to brush up on their skills before a flotilla or charter. Our instructors can tailor the prograame to what you want to refresh including mooring, sail handling, power handling and any other areas of skippering a yacht.

Milebuilder Trips

These trips are designed for those who want to put some serious miles under their belts, with night sailing and watch systems in place, often including 12+ hour passages.  These trips can range in length with tidal and non-tidal options available.

ICC Prep & Exam

For those with reasonable sailing experience we can provide the ICC Exam which if passed allows you to charter a yacht in many places worldwide. The test takes around 4 hours and for those who want to brush up on a few skills beforehand we can offer this training, generally taking one and a half days for the training and half a day for the exam.

RYA Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing & Powerboat Courses

Nikiana Beach Club is a beach front hotel on the Greek Island of Lefkas has been running since 2011. The club boasts a huge range of kit in a incredibly sociable atmosphere and teaches the following courses:

• RYA National Dinghy Scheme – All Courses
• RYA National Windsurfing Scheme – Beginner Courses
• RYA National Powerboating Scheme – Powerboat 1/2 & Safety Boat

Located in the village of Nikiana this small and perfectly formed beach front complex has 32 rooms, a fresh water swimming pool and a very good family run taverna in a quiet location with stunning scenery along with kids clubs and many other activities available nearby.

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Yachting Courses

Motor boating courses, power boating courses, shorebased courses, online courses, dinghy courses.

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Yacht Charter

Corporate events available.

We have put together many corporate events in the past be it for a thank you to your clients or a one off team building event. We can build the day around your requirements, have a large waterside classroom and can provide hospitality to suit your budget. Contact us for further details.

Welcome to East Anglian Sea School

East Anglian Sea School, a bastion of maritime education for over five decades, proudly stands as the epitome of teaching excellence along the Eastern Coast. Established in 1973 as the East Anglian School of Sailing, a modest family enterprise, our evolution into a premier Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sea school situated at Suffolk Yacht Harbour attests to our unwavering commitment to excellence.

Our renowned reputation is not only grounded in the unmatched quality of training experiences, state-of-the-art facilities, seaworthy yachts, and delectable homecooked catering on those vessels, but also in our pioneering contributions to nautical education. As the first Yachtmaster training centre in the world, the East Anglian Sea School holds the distinction of being the longest-running institution of its kind.

Guided by the third generation of the founding family, the school's enduring legacy mirrors the longevity of the Royal Yachting Association training program. Over the past fifty years, our commitment has expanded to encompass a diverse range of maritime pursuits, including getting on the water, comprehensive sailing lessons, RYA theory and practical courses, motorboat and powerboat instruction, offshore racing, and sailing adventures. Moreover, our expertise extends to yacht proficiency, navigation skills, and specialized navigation courses tailored for coastal and marine environments.

This rich and pioneering history ensures that students at the East Anglian Sea School receive an education steeped in tradition and combined with new innovations, making us a beacon of nautical proficiency and a distinguished institution in the global maritime community.

Unsure Where to Start?

Use our course planner to see which of our RYA courses is most suitable for you.

Sailing Qualifications

To skipper a bareboat charter or flotilla yacht, you need to hold a practical sailing certificate equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) . For charters in Greece, you must now have the ICC certificate . You must also be assisted by at least one competent crew member over the age of 18.

The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates: RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster, ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) or the IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA). If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 12 years old and does not have a photo ID, then we would also strongly advise applying for an ICC or IPC. If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use this link - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.

For charters in Croatia, Malta and the Canaries , at least one member of the crew or the skipper will also need a VHF licence .

RYA qualifications can be obtained by RYA sailing schools in the UK or alternatively choose from one of our overseas centres in Gibraltar, Greece or Turkey .

For  Seychelles,  the local authorities require an ICC for the skipper of a bareboat or flotilla yacht charter.

For Caribbean and Tropical charters, formal qualifications are not compulsory, however, you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew . A brief sailing resume should be provided to outline your experience.

For Thailand A Day Skipper qualification is required as a minimum and you must have at least 3 weeks of skippering experience prior to your charter. A VHF qualification is compulsory.

If you don't hold the relevant qualifications then why not add a skipper ?

Sailing Levels

Winds force 2-3 (4-11 Knots)combined with generally shorter distances. Good for beginner or intermediate sailors. Line-of-sight navigation but basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot your position required.

Winds force 3-5 (7-21 Knots) with approximately 15-20nm per day. Intermediate experience required. Predominately line of sight navigation but an understanding of how to sail in open water.

Winds force 4-6 (11-27 Knots) with mileage of approximately 20nm+ per day. Ideal for experienced skippers looking to venture out to new destinations. Day skipper standard but with experienced crew would be recommended.

Quick Quote Form

Enjoy a sailing holiday in the sunshine and 'learn the ropes', no previous sailing experience is necessary....

If you're a complete novice you may want to book an Royal Yachting Association (RYA) course. In your 1st week you'll gain a perfect introduction to life onboard and achieve RYA Competent crew. Or learn to sail on flotilla with a 6-day instructor onboard your yacht - perfect for couples and families trying out the unique experience of holidaying aboard your own yacht.

Gain an RYA qualification ...

Beginners will start with RYA Competent Crew, but if you have crewing or motorboat experience sign up for RYA Day Skipper. Adults can book a cabin on a shared yacht at an RYA Recognised Training centre in Gibraltar, Greece or Croatia whilst families may prefer to book exclusive use of a training yacht, available in Greece, Gibraltar or Croatia. Maximum 5 students on each training yacht. But remember the instructor will not look after young children so best for children over 12.

Learn to Sail Overview

• Learn from the experts to skipper your own yacht
• Enjoy a holiday whilst gaining valuable new skills
• Breakfasts and lunches included whilst onboard
• Choose from RYA accredited courses or informal flotilla courses
• Courses for all abilities
• Children over 12 can take part in the RYA courses
• Individuals, couples, groups and families all welcome

Learn to Sail Choices

LEARN TO SAIL IN GIBRALTAR

RYA - Year round sailing at the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, Gibraltar offers exciting opportunities to cruise the Spanish Costa del Sol and visit Morocco. Read more...

LEARN TO SAIL IN SIBENIK IN CROATIA

RYA - Whether you are a beginner or a competent sailor, our new partner sailing school in Sibenik has a course for you to learn from scratch or simply to improve and fine tune your skills. Read more...

LEARN TO SAIL IN AEGINA IN GREECE

RYA - Aegina is an unspoilt Greek island, less than an hour from Athens by hydrofoil, and the perfect place for you to get your RYA practical sailing certificates in the sun. Read more...

LEARN TO SAIL ON FLOTILLA

With sheltered water and straight-forward navigation, the Ionian flotilla in Greece is ideal for beginners who wish to start sailing their own yacht on flotilla. Read more...

LEARN TO SAIL IN DUBAI

Ideal for Winter and Spring sailing, Dubai offers exciting opportunities to learn how to sail in one of the most enchanting and captivating cosmopolitan cities the world has to offer. Read more...

Top questions

Can we learn to sail as a family.

For families wanting to take part in a flotilla, you can add an instructor to your flotilla yacht on the Ionian flotilla in Greece. This is a great way for families to learn to sail together but remember the instructor will not look after young children and you will have to allocate a cabin for the instructor. This is not a formal RYA course so no qualification is gained but it is ideal for those with less experience who want to take part in the flotilla from the offset.

Beginners will need a  6-day flotilla course . This course is designed to take students with little or no experience to the level that they can skipper a yacht within our flotilla under the guidance of our lead crew. Plan a second week sailing with the flotilla, practising your new skills, or return later in the season.

More information on these courses can be found on our  Learn to sail on flotilla  page.

If you want to gain an  RYA qualification , you can have exclusive use of the tuition yacht at the RYA Recognised centres in Aegina (Greece) ,  Gibraltar,   Sibenik (Croatia) and Dubai . For RYA courses a maximum of 5 students can be onboard, but some students can do Day Skipper course while others do Competent Crew course and some need not take part in any course. The course is not suitable for children under 12.

What are the option for couples to learn to sail?

Couples willing to share a yacht with other students can share a tuition yacht in Gibraltar, Greece or Croatia. If you don't want to share or there are 2 couples, you can have exclusive use of the tuition yacht. For RYA courses only a maximum of 5 students can be onboard, but some students can do Day Skipper course while others do Competent Crew course and some need not take part in any course.

Beginners will do  RYA Competent Crew course  which provides a general introduction to yacht cruising. You will be shown how to tie knots, steer the yacht, handle the sails, moor up, use the anchor, basic navigation and how to be a welcome and useful crew member.

To do your  RYA Day Skipper practical course  you will need at least 5 days crewing experience on sailing yachts and have either completed the Day Skipper shore-based course or have a good knowledge of basic navigation. This practical course gives you the chance to take charge on short passages under instruction with advice and help from the instructor. You'll also get plenty of chance to practice mooring up in many different situations. By the end of the course you should have enough experience to skipper a yacht in a safe and seamanlike manner on short daytime passages.

If you want to learn on flotilla in Greece, beginners will need a  6-day flotilla course  but if you just need to brush up your skippering skills you may only need a a  3-day flotilla course.  These courses are designed to take you to the level that they can skipper a yacht within our flotilla under the guidance of our lead crew. Plan a second week sailing with the flotilla, practising your new skills, or return later in the season. As you have your own yacht, why not invite another couple along to share the cost?

What about singles?

Singles are welcome on the RYA courses run by the RYA Recognised Training centres in  Gibraltar,   Greece  and  Croatia.  You will share a tuition yacht with other students (maximum 5 students per yacht).

Bear in mind that you will need a competent crew if you want to charter a yacht in the future so why not bring a friend along to learn how to crew.

Ask us for a Quick Quote We'll get back to you with a no obligation tailored quote within 24 hours ( Mon-Fri: 0900-1730 )

Let's talk now.

Call our knowledgeable sailing specialists for the latest advice and recommendations on the sailing areas most suited to you.

Let's talk later

Arrange a call back from one of our specialists (Mon-Fri: 0900-1730).

Learn to Sail

If you are a beginner and are not sure if you would even like sailing, you could consider joining one of our sail training weekends in Chatham, Kent. These are relaxed and enjoyable sailing experiences in sheltered waters and you will learn a lot.

After a first sailing weekend you will also qualify for the RYA ‘Start Yachting’ certificate – your first step on the RYA training pathway.

On the other hand it is perfectly reasonable to go straight to the first complete RYA Training course – Competent Crew. This can be done as a 5 day course (on week days) or over 3 weekends.

Another option is to book one of our Adventure Sailing Holidays. Almost all of these holidays are suitable for beginners and include competent crew training.

Learn to sail with Elite Sailing and School of Yachting in Chatham, Kent

If you are new to sailing, or would like to know more about the rya yacht training scheme , read on to see how we can take you step by step from absolute beginner to competent crew, day skipper or all the way to yachtmaster..

• Enjoy relaxed summer sailing weekends on a friends yacht?
• Charter a yacht in warm waters, or sail your own boat into the sunset?
• Enjoy with others the fun, freedom, companionship and adventure of a holiday cruise to new places?
• Enjoy the pure sensation and the mental and physical challenges of offshore yacht racing?

Course Availability Table

Select the course and dates you would like to enquire about from the course availability table, this will populate the message box below (you can also add your own message too).

Course Enquiry Form

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Find out more:

• Adventure Sailing Holidays
• Sail Training Weekends
• Competent Crew Practical Course

The RYA Training Scheme and Certificates of Competence

Elite Sailing is an approved Royal Yachting Association Training Centre and we are inspected annually by the RYA to ensure that our methods, equipment and standards are maintained at a high level. Our training follows the RYA Sail Cruising scheme – a world-renowned sequence of courses leading from basic crewing up to professional Yachtmaster. Certificates are awarded for satisfactory completion of each course and, for those who want a formally recognised “ticket”, there are independent examinations for issue of “Yachtmaster Coastal” and “Yachtmaster Offshore” Certificates of Competence.

The “RYA Cruising Log Book”, available in most chandlers and directly from us, explains the system in detail and provides a record of your training and experience. Here we will try to show you how the various courses relate to each other, and what competence you should have after each course – particularly in terms of ability to crew on other yachts, charter, or get the “International Certificate of Competence” which in many European countries is now required by law. The system is flexible and you can start at any level appropriate to your experience. If you have any doubts we will be happy to give you objective advice.

Get details of the RYA training structure and course content

Additional Information

• Royal Yachting Association

Great school, fantastic skippers, and easy to reach from London! Really can recommend the weekend courses if you are busy working.

- Leonard Wossnig

Friendly but highly professional sail training, both shore-based and practical. Fred and the team are now my "go-to" RYA trainers of choice. After all, if you learn to sail in the Medway and Thames Estuary, in British weather, in February and March, you can probably sail anywhere!

- Gareth Draper

Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value 100% recommended, good people dedicated, learnt a lot from Paul my instructor and Fred the boss.

- Richard Collis

Absolutely amazing experience. I took part in 2 days Milebuilder. Well prepared. It’s a pleasure to learn from such experienced people like Steve who was a skipper. Highly recommend and hope to return soon.

- Piotr Kurzawa

I've just come back from my first weekend for competent Crew and wow what a great experience. I definitely think I’ve got the sailing bug now. I was nervous before I started the course due to never sailing before. Also, I thought I'd be meeting people completely different from myself, and I wouldn't gel I am covered in tattoos and talk like someone from the cast of Harry brown 😂but everyone was sooo cool and the skipper big Steve was a proper lad and a great teacher! Spoke to us through the whole process, and he also allowed us to make mistakes and build our confidence to get it right. 👌

- David Barrett

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What Qualifications Do I Need to Sail a Yacht?

Whether you’ve finally got your hands on the boat you’ve always dreamed about, or you’re doing a bit of research before a holiday, one thing you’ll need to know before you set sail is which qualifications you need. In the UK, you technically don’t need a sailing license to take your own yacht out on the water, but it’s a bit more complicated than “anyone can sail a boat”. We break down the specifics in more detail below.

What Sailing Novices Need to Know

It might seem unlikely, but in the UK, you’re not legally obliged to have any qualifications or a sailing license to sail a boat, providing you own it.

However, if you want to charter a yacht owned by a rental company, you do need a sailing qualification, and it’s generally the RYA Day Skipper that yacht companies require. So, as long as you’re sailing a boat you own, you don’t need any yachting experience or credentials to get out on the water.

Sailing Without Qualifications or Experience: What are the Risks?

Despite the lax laws, it’s ill-advised to take a yacht – even one you own – out on the water without any sailing experience, unless you’re accompanied by someone who knows the ropes. Weather conditions can change very quickly, and even the best marine navigation tools  are no good to a sailor without the knowhow to understand them.

Not only is there a chance you’ll get out of your depth and damage the boat, but you could risk injuring yourself, anyone else on board, or even those around you in the water. On top of that, if you’re sailing without a boat license in the UK, and you’ve taken out sailing yacht insurance , or yacht and boat insurance , there’s a strong possibility the policy will be void – so make sure you check the terms and conditions of your cover.

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Yachting Qualifications and Required Skills

If you want to graduate from landlubber to qualified sailor, there are a few different credentials you can look into, depending on where you’re going to sail.

As we mentioned, the RYA Day Skipper Practical course is the first requirement for a standard bareboat charter. This is available to take at different centres all over the country, but it has to take place over five days, cover 100 miles and include four night hours on a sailing yacht.

But before you can take the Practical, you’ll also need the RYA Day Skipper Theory to get your navigation and theory knowledge up to scratch. 

Alternatively, you can take the International Certificate of Competence (ICC), which is also offered by the Royal Yachting Association.

Functioning almost like an international boat license, the ICC enables you to provide evidence of your experience and competence when you’re sailing in another country.

That said, the ICC may not comply with the maritime legislation of the specific country you’re planning to visit, so it’s worth checking whether it’s a valid yacht license in that location before you embark on getting the qualification.

Wherever you’re planning to go, getting the right insurance policy to cover the vessel – be it a rental or a boat you own – is always a smart move. Take a look at the extensive range of cover available from Admiral Yacht and get the peace of mind you need before you set sail.

Do I need a qualification to sail a yacht?

No, in the UK it’s completely legal to sail a boat or a yacht without a license. However, if you don’t have much yacht experience in the UK, and you’re not with someone who does – this is ill advised. Plus, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance policy in the event of an incident if you don’t have a boat license. 

Do I need a license to sail a yacht in the UK?

No, in the UK there’s no law that states you need a license to sail a yacht. That said, some insurance providers may not cover a yacht which is sailed by someone inexperienced or unlicensed.

How do you become a yacht captain?

Yacht captain is a highly skilled paid position, and to achieve it, you’ll likely have to start at the bottom and work your way up through several different roles on ship. You’ll also be expected to have undertaken certain training courses, and get your RYA certification.

How do you get a yacht license?

Getting a boat license in the UK usually costs somewhere between £30 and £60. But before you can get your license, you need to pass an exam set by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) which tests you on both practical and theoretical matters.

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The 10 Best Places to Learn to Sail in the UK

Setting out on the sea, chasing the sun, discovering new lands and reaching out to the furthest corners of foreign oceans might sound like a ‘wild’ dream. These fantasies manage to conjure up an image of adventure, quest and romance. And if you have been under the impression that sailing is too dangerous or too difficult, that it is too expensive or too time consuming, here is the moment of truth. Sailing is a relatively easy skill to learn, especially with the amount of help and training available.

Sunsail Sailing Schools

Sunsail has a number of sailing courses for both beginners and advanced professionals. With their sailing instructors certified by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), you don’t just get a dose of fun in the sun, but also the chance to learn all the basics of sailing. They can help you on the Level 0 course that turns a novice into a useful crew member, or perhaps you already know the ropes and the Level 3 course is best to improve your sailing abilities, where you’ll be able to charter any Yacht in any sea.

Classic Sailing

Classic Sailing is one of the more popular destinations for novice sailors and beginners. Recognised by the RYA, it offers a long list of courses from practical sailing lessons and competent crew courses to day skipper lessons and the Yachtmaster Offshore qualification. In addition to these high-level sailing courses, you can also join a few ‘mini courses’ that aim to make sailing fun. You’ll be able to choose from a number of subjects, even ones that have nothing to do with sailing such as taking the best sunset pictures!

Aqua Sports Company

Aqua Sports Company is one of the oldest dinghy sailing training companies in the nation. With more than 15 years of experience and being an RYA training centre, it teaches a variety of dinghy sailing courses. You can learn all the basics of dinghy sailing with the Level 1 course, the basic skills Level 2, or try the Seamanship and Spinnaker courses. Moreover, there are courses specifically designed to meet the needs of adult and junior learners.

Elite Sailing

Elite Sailing is one of the most sought-after training centres in London. Regardless of the qualification or the lack of it, there is a course designed specifically for you. Beginners can learn to sail a yacht or power a motor cruiser, and experienced sailors can undertake the coastal skipper or the Yachtmaster course. With their patient, friendly and experienced trainers teaching you the ropes, there is nothing to stop you from hopping in a boat!

Queen Mary Sailing Club

The Queen Mary Sailing Club is a well-established RYA certified training centre that offers a long list of courses for both beginners and the more experienced. Furthermore, it also conducts classes for all age groups from 8 and upwards. In fact, you don’t need to have any kind of sailing experience before you step aboard one of the boats. And if you’re interested, you can also learn a few basics about windsurfing while you’re there!

Northumbria Sailing

Northumbria Sailing is one of the most affordable training centres in London. This centre offers a huge selection of practical courses for beginners and experienced sailors in a fun and interactive manner. From a two day Yachting course for beginners to a five day Coastal Skipper course, the choice is yours!

Alton Water

One of the largest training centres around, Alton Water offers a number of RYA certified dinghy sailing and windsurfing courses. They provide basic courses for beginners and advanced courses for the experienced sailors. Moreover, most of the courses do not require experience or prior training. These are designed for enthusiastic individuals of all ages, and if you’re between 16 and 21, you can also get discounted powerboat training!

The Glaciere Maritime Academy

The Glaciere Maritime Academy is a well-established, RYA-approved power boating and sailing training centre. Being extremely popular among enthusiastic sailors and professionals, the academy offers a number of courses. It also offers equipment which saves you from hidden costs and expensive course materials.

Greenwich Yacht Club

The Greenwich Yacht club is a popular training centre both among young beginners and experienced sailors alike, with a number of courses available from day skipper training to basic sea survival sessions. Beginners can also enjoy mini sessions such as first aid training and VHF radio operator courses. The Greenwich Yacht club prepares you well for the sea; regardless of your prior sea experience, you’ll be able to sail away with floating colours!

Mylor Yacht Cruising

Whether you want to learn to sail or move from being a comfortable sailor to a competent one, the Mylor Yacht Cruising is the perfect place to learn what you need. They provide RYA-approved courses for everyone: beginners, intermediate and advanced learners. Moreover, you can either choose to attend an RYA approved course on offer or choose to design your own sessions depending on your specific needs.

These are some of the best places to learn to sail in the UK and believe me, knowing the front from the back of a sailboat is not a requirement to enrol! However, having an acute sense of adventure could be an added advantage…

Why not pair up a weekend break learning to sail with staying a luxury holiday property from kate and toms. Contact us today and let us help get you on the water!!

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What I learned during a boat knockdown while sailing alone

• August 22, 2024

Freya Terry gets an early lesson in the perils of single-handed sailing when she embarks on a round-UK and Ireland circumnavigation in her distinctive She 31

When the knockdown threw Freya across the boat, her head struck the bulkhead Credit: Claudia Myatt Credit: Claudia Myatt

The wind is sitting at about 25 knots, and I’m 15 miles north of Padstow, but the tide is against me, writes Freya Terry .

Although I’m making good speed (4 knots), I just can’t point. So, I put in a tack, and it takes me almost 180° around due to the tide.

I’ve missed the tide and will have to sit it out till midnight when I can head to shore. It’s going to be slow, but I know I can do it.

I’ve already lost my engine and most of my battery power .

I’m only using battery to power my navigation lights, but luckily there’s not a boat in sight, so I’m not too worried.

I’m back to old-school navigation so I head down below to fill in the log and mark my position on the chart, and that’s when it happens.

I feel something, and the boat starts to tip. I make a desperate dash for the tiller.

Freya Terry and her Sparkman & Stephens She 31 Pink Delta built in 1977. Credit: RYA Cymru Wales

I’m too late; the force of the knockdown throws me across the boat, and I hit my head on the bulkhead by the window.

I scream in pain, but no one hears. I’m alone on a boat miles out to sea.

I fall as Pink Delta rights herself, landing painfully.

For a moment, my whole world is pain, and then I’m sick. I take a moment and check my head—no blood, that’s good. I get up and go on deck; everything is the same like nothing even happened.

Pink Delta is sailing along beautifully, 50° to the wind. I sit still, marvelling at her incredible resilience.

I turn on my handheld radio but as soon as I start to transmit, the screen loses power.

Okay, the ship’s radio next. It turns on, and I transmit a Mayday message.

After a few minutes, I hear nothing back. I try again… nothing. I think it must not be getting enough power.

Freya Terry is a dinghy, keelboat, multihull, power-boat and jetski instructor from Pembrokeshire. Aged 21, after restoring a She 27 yacht (bought for £1 from a friend’s garden), she upsized to a She 31 for her solo circumnavigation around Britain and Ireland. Freya won a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Cymru Wales Impact Award for her achievements at Pembrokeshire Performance Sailing Academy. She has now made repairs and restarted her circumnavigation. www.she-sails.co.uk

My head is foggy, and I know I should be calling for help. So I clip in and climb back on deck, and then I’m sick again.

I know I need to set off my personal locator beacon (PLB) , but I don’t want to. I wanted to do this trip alone.

I think I can make it back to shore, and I don’t want to worry everyone back home.

I know that if I do this, people will judge me. I’m only a few days into my trip, and I feel like I’ve already failed.

But I know I need to put my safety first, so I do the adult thing, the thing I’ve always avoided doing—I ask for help.

I set off the PLB and then I cry. I’ve overcome so much already on this short journey. I was proud of myself, but this… this I can’t deal with alone.

The journey before the boat knockdown

Some background and how I ended up in this situation. I’m 21 and I grew up on the water.

I first learned to sail at Fishguard Bay Yacht Club in a Topper when I was 12, then I moved up to a Feva and a 420.

I’ve raced and trained extensively, even representing Wales.

I’ve worked as a dingy instructor for five years and, last year, I bought my beloved Sparkman and Stephens She 31 from Aberystwyth.

I spent months refurbishing her, including painting her bright pink inspired by Jessica Watson .

I re-named her Pink Delta and spent the summer sailing her from Aberystwyth down to Neyland, exploring along the way.

We spent the winter in Neyland marina, where I dreamed of big adventures. I was determined and set my sights on sailing around Great Britain and Ireland.

Freya did much of the work herself to prepare Pink Delt a for the circumnavigation. Credit: Matt Cottingham

As a young person this seemed financially impossible, but I set up a GoFundMe and started seeking sponsors (I’m still looking), I aimed to raise awareness for mental health issues, and I began speaking openly and honestly for the first time about the extreme mental health difficulties I faced from a young age.

As funds came in, I bought essential safety kit and prepared the boat. I set an ambitious launch date of 11 May 2024 to give me all summer sailing.

My voyage isn’t about speed; I’m intentionally embracing a slower pace, engaging with communities and sparking vital conversations about mental health.

Things were a little chaotic in the run-up to the launch, but I had everything under control. I’d serviced the engine and had it up and running.

The electronics had been checked by an electrician the day before I left. It was busy but mostly final touches.

All in all, I was happy that the boat and I were ready.

The conditions were stunning  on launch day– clear blue skies, sunshine, and about 15 knots of wind, not the usual Welsh weather.

Loads of my friends and family came to wave me off and wish me good luck. It was heartwarming and emotional but at 1015 my lines slipped and I was off.

Once out past St Ann’s Head, I was comfortably sailing at 7 knots and with the tide behind me, I made the best course to wind. I made some food and settled in, but by mid-afternoon, the wind dropped to 5-8 knots and began shifting a lot.

I hand-steered and tried to keep my speed up. To try and arrive before dark I switched the engine on, but that wasn’t meant to be.

After an hour, the engine ground to a halt.

Watersports instructor Freya Terry from Pembrokeshire was among the first to be honoured in the RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards. Credit: RYA Cymru Wales

I suspected a fuel problem, so I changed the filter and connected it to a jerry can of fresh diesel. I bled the engine and eventually, she started up again.

I congratulated myself and carried on, but an hour later, the same thing happened.

I went below, adjusted some things, and the engine started once more.

But after 40 minutes, it cut out yet again. I was a few miles from the island. I started swearing at the engine, I was so close; couldn’t it have kept going just a little longer?

Almost as if they heard me, three dolphins appeared to reassure me I’d be okay.

I kept an eye on my position and spent nearly an hour trying to get the engine going – nothing worked. I realized I was going to have to sail to Lundy.

As it got dark the wind dropped completely, barely propelling me forward at around 1 knot.

I finally anchored safely by 0300 and I turned on my anchor lights before going to sleep. Poor weather meant I stayed at anchor for two days,

I tried everything I knew to do to start the engine without success.

Then, on the evening of 13 May, I started having battery problems,

Despite a voltage reading of 12.1V before bed, I awoke four hours later to a flashing warning light at 6.5V which I didn’t understand.

The next morning, I checked again – my leisure battery was dead. I still had some power in my engine battery but it was low from all the time cranking and trying to fix the engine.

On 14 May, while there was a good wind, I set sail for Padstow as I’d planned. I didn’t want to be stuck in Lundy Island with no power, and knew once I arrived in Padstow I could get things fixed.

I had a portable battery for my phone and I updated my family and the RYA SafeTrx app to my passage plan.

It took me a while to get the anchor up and sail away from the island, so by the time I was on course for Padstow, I knew I’d likely missed the tide window but chose to sail on.

I left a message for the harbour master to let him know I’d probably be arriving the next day instead and tried to update my SafeTrx, but I was already out of signal.

I knew it would likely be a late night, and I planned to find somewhere along the way to anchor for a little while.

Though fighting the tide, the strong wind gave me good speed but its angle prevented a direct course to Padstow.

Down on power, I was running my nav light from the engine battery. I was back to using Imray paper charts for navigation, a difficult feat alone in a Force 6.

RNLI rescue after the boat knockdown

But I was coping. I’m a sailor, and I was simply sailing my boat. I had nav lights so other boats could see me. I had charts to navigate.

I didn’t need anything else –fancy chart plotters, radios, AIS, even engines – are all luxuries we don’t actually need to sail.

I knew it was going to be another late night, but once the tide turned, I’d sail into an anchorage.

Unbeknown to me (as I had no communication), the harbour master didn’t receive my message and contacted the coastguard about my overdue estimated time of arrival.

Falmouth Coastguard, noting my SafeTrx, sent the Padstow lifeboat to look for me at my last known location, 20 miles away from where I now was.

Their search was stood down at nightfall.

I was simply dealing with the conditions at hand.

Later, at around 2200, was when I was knocked down. I hit my head and, believing I had a concussion, I activated my PLB.

It took the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crew nearly an hour to get to me, and for a while, I wasn’t sure if the PLB had even worked.

I can’t say what I felt at the time; my brain was a little foggy. I was running on autopilot, just doing what I knew I needed to.

Positive vibes

I didn’t know if the lifeboat was coming out to me, but if not I knew the tide would change around midnight and then I’d be able to sail to shore.

All the same, seeing the coastguard helicopter and then the lifeboat was such a relief. I knew I needed them. I wasn’t alone anymore, and I knew I’d be safe.

I have to thank the amazing team in Padstow – the harbour master, everyone on the lifeboat, and those in Falmouth co-ordinating my rescue.

Since this incident, I’ve experienced such incredible kindness, support and encouragement.

And since beginning this journey I’m more connected to family, friends, followers, and even strangers than I have ever been.

I have faced criticism and judgment at every step.

But before judging me too harshly, remember I’m a young person struggling with mental health issues.

Please be kind; words do hurt.

Things go wrong at sea, and good seamanship is how you handle them.

Despite my preparation and experience, my boat was knocked down, causing a head injury and concussion.

That is a Mayday call, regardless of age, experience, preparations or crew size.

I’m confident I did everything I could to keep myself as safe as possible but there are always lessons to be learned.

I’m glad to know that even when I was experiencing communication problems, the systems I’d put in place worked.

I’m so grateful to everyone involved in the search, and to Falmouth Coastguard and Padstow RNLI for their support.

Lessons Learned from the boat knockdown

• Remember that this is sailing: You can survive without electronics, engines, or radios.
• Have paper charts and know how to use them: I use Imray charts on Pink Delta .
• Keep your emergency contact informed of your passage plan. If it’s a difficult passage, inform the Coastguard.
• RYA SafeTrx and emergency beacons can save your life but make sure they are registered and updated regularly. The more detail you provide, the better.
• Practice using your VHF radio and PLB so it’s second nature.
• Things will go wrong at sea – it’s how you deal with them that counts.
• Don’t be scared to ask for help. If you need help, that’s what the lifeboats are there for.

RNLI incident report on Freya’s boat knockdown

Lifeboat view of Pink Delta with two RNLI Padstow crew aboard assisting Freya. Credit: RNLI/Padstow

At 1927 on Tuesday, 14 May 2024, Padstow lifeboat launched to look for an overdue yacht, Pink Delta .

Pink Delta was not at her last known location, 27 miles north of Trevose, so the lifeboat crew began a search.

Meanwhile, Falmouth Coastguard discovered that the yacht was in fact not due into Padstow Harbour until 15 May, so the lifeboat crew was stood down.

At 2220, just as the crew were returning to the station, they were tasked again because a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) alert had been received from Pink Delta – 16.5 miles north-west of Stepper Point.

Coastguard Helicopter 924, also tasked, was first at the scene. The air crew confirmed it was the Pink Delta with one person on board and were stood down.

Two Padstow lifeboat crew went aboard the yacht to assess the casualty who had fallen and hit her head. Due to the conditions, the two RNLI crew stayed on board Pink Delta , while Padstow RNLI lifeboat towed the yacht into a Camel Estuary mooring, arriving at 0333.

The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat and taken to the station at Trevose, where paramedics took her to the Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) for observation.

Padstow Coxswain Richard Pitman said: “It was great to see the skipper had the means to call for help and we were glad we could be there. We don’t see many bright pink yachts. We wish her all the best with the rest of her solo sail around the UK.”

Expert response

Richard Falk

Richard Falk, RYA director of training and qualifications, responds: “Hindsight is a powerful tool, and a willingness to share experiences (good and bad) and to reflect on what might have been done differently is equally as powerful, both for the person involved and for readers.

“Freya is an experienced sailor who has clearly put much time and effort into preparing both herself and Pink Delta for her challenging voyage. She had carried out extensive maintenance, had planned her voyage , had all the sensible safety equipment on board and most importantly, she knew how to use it, and when.

“Without knowing the cause of Freya’s engine woes, it is difficult to comment on that, other than to say that after any period of maintenance, it is always advisable to spend some time running all relevant equipment and sea trialling it before an extended passage.

“It’s interesting to note that despite the engine and subsequent power supply issues Freya encountered, she was not daunted by this. She took those setbacks in her stride and was content to navigate her way to a safe haven using pencil and paper, something many people are ill-equipped to do in this day and age. Freya’s real problems began with the knockdown which resulted in a head injury.

“Put simply, that could have happened to anyone. It could just as easily have occurred by slipping down the companionway steps while at anchor. However, despite the impact of that injury Freya was not panicked, and made the wise decision to seek assistance by activating her PLB. Head injuries are unpredictable and while she was conscious, she was aware that her condition had the potential to deteriorate. Having the right equipment on board, knowing how to use it and, importantly, exercising good judgement in when to use it is something all skippers should aspire to.

“Thank you Freya for sharing your experience and we wish you well in your exciting undertaking.”

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INEOS Britannia Team Profile: Royal Yacht Squadron

The 37th America’s Cup racing is underway, and here’s a full team profile on INEOS Britannia, the crew and their yacht club, the Royal Yacht Squadron…

Team profile.

Nationality: Great Britain

Representing: Royal Yacht Squadron

Key people: Ben Ainslie, CEO; James Allison, CTO; Martin Fischer, Chief Designer.

Key sailors: Ben Ainslie (skipper) , Giles Scott (helmsman) ; Freddie Carr; Dylan Fletcher; Leigh McMillan; Neil Hunter.

About INEOS Britannia

This is Ainslie’ third attempt to win the Cup for Great Britain, and it’s a team that is all about the tech. Backing from Sir Jim Ratcliffe gives the team access as part of the INEOS Sport Group to Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team , with live data link-ups to the Mercedes Applied Science team in Brackley, as well as working with the INEOS Grenadiers cycling team .

The Formation of INEOS Britannia

The British team was formed in 2014, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron, with Ben Ainslie leading the charge.

After winning the America’s Cup with Oracle Team USA in San Francisco (2013), Ben Ainslie set out to win another, but this time with a British Team. The British Team made it to the semi-final in Bermuda (2017), but were knocked out by Emirates Team New Zealand . 

In 2018, the British Team joined forces with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe and became INEOS Britannia. 

The 2024 37th edition of the America’s Cup in Barcelona marks the first time a British team has competed in 3 consecutive America’s Cups since Sir Thomas Lipton and the Royal Ulster YC bids between 1899 to 1930.

The America’s Cup began in 1851 in Cowes, Isle of Wight, organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron, and predating the modern Olympic Games by 45 years. Since losing the first competition 173 years ago against the Americans (New York Yacht Club), the British (Royal Yacht Squadron) are still yet to win…

The Royal Yacht Squadron

The Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, Isle of Wight, is a highly prestigious and exclusive yacht club with over 200 years of rich history . They host a wide range of events and races throughout the year, including Cowes Week and the Round the Island Race , as well as marking the finish line for elite offshore competitions like the Ocean Globe Race . 

Founded in 1815, the Royal Yacht Squadron, or “The Yacht Club” as it was then known, was situated at Thatched House Tavern in St James’s, London.

The Prince Regent was welcomed as a member in 1817, and in his later ascension to the throne as George IV, Royal was added to the club’s name. The club kept a close association with the Royal Navy, with early honorary members including Nelson’s Captain at Trafalgar, Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy. 

The RYS Clubhouse: Cowes Castle

Built in 1539 as part of Henry VIII’s chain of coastal defences, Cowes Castle has a long royal naval history . After being decommissioned in 1855, the Castle was taken over by the Royal Yacht Squadron and became their clubhouse.

More on the America’s Cup

• America’s Cup Boats: What it’s like helming an AC75
• 37th America’s Cup: Key Info, Dates & How to Watch
• Ben Ainslie’s Team Update: America’s Cup Countdown

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5 expert tips: How to build a great sailing crew

• September 3, 2024

Super crew, coach, and keelboat and dinghy champion Richard Parslow shares tips on how to form an effective sailing crew, with Andy Rice

Every crew has its own DNA, its own ecosystem. Making that the best and healthiest crew dynamic possible is a big part of what interests Richard Parslow. “Psychology is a huge part of the sport,” he says.

“They say the longest four inches in golf is between the ears, and how we interact with each other in the boat also has a huge outcome on the race course. I’ve been fortunate to be on a lot of successful teams where we’ve had a shared outlook on the campaign, usually pretty laid back, laughing a lot, but in the background really organised and committed to doing the work.”

When it comes to building a crew, he says: “You need to think carefully about the team you are assembling, choosing those who are the best fit for the long term, not necessarily because they are the best in the world at a particular job.” Here are Richard’s five best tips for getting everyone on the crew pulling in the same direction.

Have shared goals

I remember driving back from a youth event once and my helmsman said what a good regatta we’d had, and I was thinking how badly it had gone. He was enjoying himself and I was all about trying to win the event. It’s really important at the start of the campaign to make sure everyone’s goals are aligned, that you share the same aims.

Assuming it’s about winning, everyone needs to be highly motivated. Back in the day when we raced on the Ultra 30s you had nine people on a big dinghy which capsized easily, and you could just about swap out one person in a weekend without it affecting your team coordination and performance, but no more than that.

That was a big part of why we used to win in the Ultra 30, that consistency of crew on board.

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Bring skills

As well as skills to race the boat, make sure the crew brings complementary skills for the onshore stuff and the logistics – the ability to work with glassfibre or carbon, metal work, fix engines, maintain the coach RIB, cooking and good technique in the protest room. Have as many bases as possible covered within the team.

Hone the process

I’m a big believer in the regatta process, that you’ve got a consistent thing that you do every day. It starts before the event with logistics of travel and accommodation and then goes into a daily process for each race day, from ‘wake up to write up’.

Everything on a checklist is one less thing to think about on what’s already a hugely complicated day. Man is a habit forming animal and we’re very happy when we’re able to go through a repetitive process. It means you’re unlikely to forget anything. Without a systematic approach, because of potential ‘diffusion of responsibility’ in larger teams, some things might slip through the cracks.

I’ve been pretty lucky with most of the teams I’ve been on – there hasn’t been any sort of toxic breakdown. But certainly when everybody’s under a lot of pressure, emotions can get high and people get upset and angry and things are said.

A really good way to get back down from that high level of emotion – anger, even – is to go back to your process…“Okay, what went wrong there? Did someone just mess up, or is there something wrong with the process? And to make sure it doesn’t go wrong again, do we just need to practise more, or do we have to re-think the process?”

Finely honed relationships are vital in crew from everyday cruisers up to the very top of competitive sailing. Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup

That approach gets you back to a place where you’re not so upset any more. It depersonalises the problem and works towards a collective solution rather than pointing the finger.

Have a laugh

Campaigning across a whole season can be a long, hard slog. You’re going to spend a lot of time together, training, travelling and competing. Whatever level you’re operating at, you need to have a sense of humour that works for everyone on the crew. You’re going to have things go well and a lot of things go really badly. And it’s when things go badly you really test your team bond and the power of the relationship on the boat. Sense of humour is a massive part of getting you out of those moments and back on the right track.

Some people swear a lot, but try to avoid effing and blinding all over the shop – it increases pressure and tension on board, If you’re upset about something and you swear, it doesn’t make you any less upset, but it makes the other people around you more upset. Then they’re likely to react. And the more upset you get, the less good decisions you make.

Clear, calm communication will produce a quieter, more efficient racing machine, and whether you’ve had a good or bad day, you should always be able to find something you can share a laugh about!

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