RYA Start Yachting
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: Sailing magazines and newspapers, but this is not essential
Course Prerequisites: No assumed knowledge
Minimum Age: No minimum but Under 16’s must be accompanied by adult. Persons aged 16+ can be unaccompanied subject to other pre-requisites having been met
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.
This is a brilliant course if you want a taste of sailing to see if the sport is for you.
It’s also a wonderful gift for any budding sailors you know who want to take their first tentative steps into the world of sailing!
Running over two days the course will give you a taste of what the sailing world has to offer. You’ll learn to sail in the vibrant and exciting waters of the Solent, experiencing the tranquillity and fun of being on a sailing yacht!
The course covers knowledge of general sailing terminology and the parts of a yacht, including her rigging and sails, sail handling and setting the sails, ropework and knots, fire precautions and emergency actions, personal safety equipment, man overboard actions, emergency equipment, meteorology, seasickness, helmsmanship, general duties, manners and customs plus some rules of the road. A great start to learning to sail.
Our Start Yachting courses have 4 to 5 students. All students will get their own bed on board. In some instances sharing a cabin may be required.
Courses run in a choice of two formats:
During your RYA Start Yachting course you will cover practical navigation, pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and watch skippering techniques as well as the skills mentioned previously.
The course includes free accommodation aboard our immaculate, well-maintained yachts with breakfast, lunch and snacks plus an evening meal onboard. 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.
Fancy going VIP and having your own exclusive private course for you and your friends or family? You can book the whole yacht just for your own exclusive course from only £295 per person. Enjoy the course in style, with up to five persons on the boat being taught by one of our friendly, experienced Yachtmaster Instructors! What a way to start your sailing adventure!
This is a fantastic introduction to the world of sailing to see if it’s something you might like and want to take further.
You’ll learn to sail in the vibrant and varied waters of the Solent, the heart of sailing in the UK, you’ll get to experience yacht sailing at its best. Use these two days to really throw yourself into it! You’ll get to have a go on the helm, work a winch, hoist the sails and experience a vibrant and fun pastime for the whole family!
You’ll be in safe hands throughout the course with one of our Yachtmaster Instructors on hand to ensure you get the best out of your two days with us. So what are you waiting for?
Please select your preferred start date below.
The perfect sailing course for beginners all over the UK, the five day RYA Competent Crew practical RYA course will give you the best building blocks to start your sailing journey with.
Take a look at our live course calendar for dates for the RYA Competent Crew course at Gosport Marina!
Learn more
Our famous Solent Sailing Weekend is the perfect way to spend a weekend afloat! You’ll visit various marinas around the Solent with one of our brilliant and helpful Instructors on hand. You can do as much or as little as you like on board, so they are a great way to build confidence and skills in the vibrant and exciting waters of the Solent. Perfect for newly qualified sailors.
Take a look at our live course calendar for dates for the Solent Sailing Weekend!
Learn more
The perfect introduction to Powerboats & Ribs, the two day RYA Powerboat Level 2 practical powerboat course will give you the best building blocks to kick-off your powerboat adventure from!
Take a look at our live course calendar for dates for the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course!
Learn more
A fantastic weekend of sailing, almost 130 NM in all, with a relaxed, but fully engaging skipper. Great set up and brilliant on the admin. Thanks Stef, Tom et al!
Nick BI did a weeks coastal skipper course getting ready for my yacht master and I have to say it was one of the best training weeks I’ve had - our training instructor was superb, exactly the sort of person that you want. He could inspire, provide discipline and impart knowledge as well as let you learn through your own mistakes. Tom and Steph run an excellent operation there and I highly recommend it. They’re flexible and very helpful when it comes to your journey into being a qualified sailor.
Nigel Frith