If you would like to know a little more about sailing before a longer crewed yacht charter; or you are just starting out on the path to becoming a sailor, our introductory RYA Start Yachting program is a great way to get out on the water.
The RYA offers a comprehensive sail cruising scheme to take you step-by-step through practical sailing skills and maritime knowledge – all at your own pace. We recommend you attend the RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship theory course before this practical course.
What You Will Learn
On our Start Yachting program you will experience steering a yacht, sail handling, rope work and become aware of safety on board. There are so many secluded tropical islands in the Grenadines to explore, making this course perfect when booked alongside a sailing charter holiday.
Additionally, holders of the Start Yachting certificate can go on to complete the RYA Competent Crew course in a reduced time of three days.
RYA Start Yachting Prerequisites
| Pre-course experience | None |
| Assumed knowledge | None |
| Minimum duration | 2 days (participants of the RYA Start Yachting program can go on to complete the RYA Competent Crew course in a reduced time of three days.) |
| Minimum age | None |
RYA Start Yachting Course Details
| Duration | 2 days |
| Included | Mooring fees, water and diesel used. Lunches, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks. Use of snorkelling equipment and waterproofs. Tuition as booked with all course and certification materials. Fully insured and RYA inspected training vessel, with experienced RYA instructor and all safety equipment as required. |
| Excluded | Accommodation, flights and transfers. Alcoholic drinks are not included. |
| Yacht options | Join one of our group courses (maximum 4 students) or privately charter the yacht for highly personalised tuition. |
| Cabin options | Students to arrange accommodation on shore. The program runs from 08:30hrs to 16:00hrs daily. |
| Course content | Learn about the yacht, rope work, underway, rules of the road, man overboard recovery, clothing and equipment, emergency equipment and precautions, and meteorology. |