Which RYA Sailing Course Should a Beginner Take First
Two RYA courses are designed for people who have never sailed before: Start Yachting and Competent Crew. The right one depends on your available time and whether you want a taster or a proper qualification.
What are the entry-level RYA sailing courses for a complete beginner
The RYA offers two courses designed for people who have never stepped on a yacht before: Start Yachting and Competent Crew. Both assume no prior knowledge. You begin with the basics: staying safe on deck, handling lines and learning the names of the main parts of the boat.
Start Yachting is a two-day taster that gives you a feel for life aboard a cruising yacht. You sleep on the boat for one night, steer under supervision and help with simple tasks like winching in a sheet. By the end you will know if a longer course is worth your time and money.
Competent Crew is a five-day liveaboard course that turns a complete novice into a useful crew member. You learn to tie essential knots, handle sails during tacks and gybes, keep a proper lookout and assist with mooring. The five-day format also means you experience night sailing and get comfortable with the rhythm of watches and meals at sea. A Competent Crew certificate is the natural starting point if you intend to sail regularly with friends or join a club.
What does the Start Yachting course cover in two days
Start Yachting packs the essentials of crewing into a weekend afloat. You live aboard the yacht for two days, usually from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, and the instructor takes you through every basic manoeuvre. By the end you will have steered under power and sail, trimmed the sails and tied the knots that matter most.
No previous knowledge is assumed. The syllabus is deliberately narrow. You leave with a clear sense of what sailing feels like, not a long checklist of half-learned skills. The practical tasks you will try include:
- Steering the yacht on a compass course and under sail
- Hoisting, lowering and trimming the mainsail and headsail
- Tying a bowline, a clove hitch and a round turn with two half hitches
- Handling mooring lines and fenders when coming alongside
- Operating the engine and carrying out basic safety checks
- Understanding how to use lifejackets, harnesses and the man-overboard drill
The course is a short introduction. It lets you see if you enjoy sailing before you commit to a longer course. Many people use it as a trial weekend, then book the five-day Competent Crew course once they know they like being on the water.
What does the Competent Crew course teach over five days
Competent Crew is a five-day liveaboard course that turns a complete beginner into a useful crew member. You live on board and take part in every aspect of running the yacht, from casting off in the morning to securing the boat at night. By the end of the week you will have logged around 100 nautical miles and at least four hours of night sailing.
The syllabus covers the hands-on skills you need on a short coastal passage:
- Steering the yacht under power and sail, following a compass course and responding to the helm
- Handling sails, including hoisting, reefing and trimming the main and headsail
- Mooring and anchoring, from preparing warps and fenders to tying a cleat hitch under instruction
- Recovering a man overboard, where you practise the correct sequence of shouts, pointing and throwing a line
- Keeping a lookout and understanding the basics of the collision regulations
Night hours are not an afterthought; they are a core part of the course. You stand a watch in the dark, identify navigation lights on other vessels and get used to relying on instruments and your night vision. By the end of the course you can actively crew a yacht on passages of a few hours and handle routine deck work without being told what to do next.
Can I go straight to Competent Crew without doing Start Yachting
Yes, you can join a Competent Crew course with no sailing experience at all. The RYA designed it for complete beginners, so Start Yachting is not a prerequisite. The instructor will teach you every skill from scratch over the five days, from tying a cleat hitch to helming under sail.
Many newcomers pick Competent Crew directly because it earns you a recognised RYA certificate. It also logs five days and roughly 100 nautical miles of sea time, which counts toward the minimum mileage you need before taking the Day Skipper practical course. If you already know you want to work towards skippering your own yacht, this route saves you a second booking later.
How do I choose between Start Yachting and Competent Crew
The right choice depends on how much time you have and whether you want a quick taste of sailing or a solid foundation. Start Yachting runs over two days, usually a weekend, and gives you a basic introduction to life on board. You leave with a course completion certificate and the option to count those two days towards a full Competent Crew certificate later.
Competent Crew is a five-day course that turns you into a useful member of the crew. You learn to handle sails, tie essential knots, steer the boat under supervision and understand safety procedures. At the end you receive the RYA Competent Crew certificate, which is recognised by charter companies worldwide and lets you join a boat as an active hand rather than a passenger.
If you are unsure whether sailing is for you, Start Yachting is a low-commitment taster. If you already know you want to sail regularly or plan to charter a yacht, Competent Crew gives you the practical skills and the qualification to do that from day one.
What should I bring on my first RYA course
The school normally provides lifejackets, waterproof trousers and jackets. You do not need to buy specialist offshore gear for a beginner course. Pack your things in a soft bag rather than a rigid suitcase, because storage space on a yacht is limited and a soft bag can be squeezed into a locker.
A few personal items make the time on board far more comfortable:
- Non-marking deck shoes or clean white-soled trainers that you keep only for the boat.
- Layered clothing: a thermal base layer, a fleece mid-layer and a windproof outer top, plus a spare set in case you get wet.
- Sailing gloves to protect your hands when handling ropes, especially in cool weather.
- Sun protection: a hat with a clip or cord, sunglasses with a retaining strap and high-factor sunscreen.
- A small notebook and a pencil for noting down manoeuvres, light sequences and buoyage.
Check with the school about a sleeping bag beforehand. Some training yachts provide bedding and others ask you to bring your own. Keep toiletries and a quick-dry towel in a separate waterproof pouch so you can find them easily in a shared cabin.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any sailing experience before booking an RYA beginner course
No. Both Start Yachting and Competent Crew assume you have never stepped on a yacht. The instructor will explain everything from the names of the ropes to how to put on a lifejacket.
Will I get a certificate after a beginner course
Competent Crew earns you a full RYA certificate. Start Yachting gives you a course completion certificate, and if you later do Competent Crew within a set period the two days can count towards it.
What is the minimum age for RYA beginner sailing courses
Most RYA training centres in the UK accept students from the age of 16 on adult courses, though some may set their own minimum at 18. It is best to check with the specific school when you book.
Can I book a beginner course as a private group or a couple
Yes. Many schools offer whole-boat bookings so you can learn with friends or family. A private course often lets you agree the start date and tailor the pace to your group.
