The RYA Competent Crew Course introduces the compete beginner to cruising under sail and teaches to the level required to be a useful member of crew onboard a yacht. 

• 5 days
• No min or max age limit
• Learn the principles of sailing
• Learn to steer a yacht
• Learn the ropes and tie knots
• Learn to work the sails
• Take part in daily routines
• Become aware of safety onboard
• Professional Instructors        
• Relaxed Tuition
• Quality Food
• Great Fun
• £435 Low Season (October - March)
• £495 High Season (April - September)
  Price includes all accommodation, tuition, meals onboard, use of wet gear and pick up from local station.

For more information please read on...
Or call 01326 212320, Alternatively email us to make a booking.

RYA Competent Crew

The course is usually taken over 5 days but can be taken as a 2 and 3 day weekend. There is no minimum or maximum age requirement, although it is commonly accepted that the candidates should be fit enough to handle ropes, helm and contribute towards the daily routines.

At Trysail Sailing School we have had clients from the ages of 10-85 take our Competent Crew Courses, and we aim to tailor each course to suit the clients we have on board.

It is run from the historic Port of Falmouth, normally starting at 1600hrs Sunday and finishing around 1300hrs on the following Friday. It is also possible to complete the course over a two day and a 3 day weekend or over 3 two day weekends. We can also organise courses around your specific dates if you wish to book an exclusive course.

The RYA stipulates a maximum instructor ratio of 1:5 for Sail Training. At Trysail we work on 4 students to one instructor as we believe this gives the optimum ratio for student learning and makes life on board more comfortable.

Accommodation is provided on board the yacht during the week and all meals are included in the cost. Most of our instructors are experienced cooks and enjoy entertaining at the end of a hard day. We cater for all tastes and we are also more than happy to cater for Vegetarians and Vegans with exciting, local, home-cooked meals.

The course will commence with a full safety brief that our instructors will make fun and interesting. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, you will then experience a gentle voyage to the first overnight anchorage, mooring buoy or pontoon. Your instructor will cook you a lovely meal, assess any previous experience you may have and make a rough plan for the week. We do not set a fixed itinerary for our 5 day courses as the weather plays such a large part and changes daily.

Our aim is to help and encourage each of our candidates to complete the syllabus, set by the RYA, during the course and to award a Certificate of Competency. Each candidate is kept informed of their progress as they learn about the boat, its handling and the routines onboard.

We also make at least one 4 hour night passage during the week. It provides the unique sensation of sailing by night and the experience is generally regarded as one of the ‘highlights’ of the week.

Course notes

Accommodation & meals are provided on board throughout the week as well as use of wet weather gear if necessary. You will need to bring a sleeping bag & suitable flat soled non-slip and non-marking footwear.

Warm clothing also will be needed even in the height of summer, as on the water the evenings can get cooler than inland.

Hopefully you now fancy the chance to get on the water a see what its all about, so give us a call or email us today!

If you have a wonderful time and want to do more sailing, the combined Day Skipper Theroy and Practical course could be your next challange!