RYA Practical Sailing Courses


RYA practical sailing courses CaribbeanLearn to sail on RYA practical sailing courses with the RYA cruising scheme.

If you have always wanted to cruise the coast, live on board your own yacht, or be adventurous and sail offshore, then Grenada Bluewater Sailing has an RYA practical sailing course for you.

The distance you venture is ultimately your decision; cruising yachts are comfortable to make long or short  journeys on – many have all the latest cruising mod cons like our beautiful sailing school yacht Chao Lay. RYA practical sailing courses provide you with the maritime knowledge and skills required to achieve your sailing dreams.


If you are a seasoned skipper interested in expanding your skill base, or a first-time crew member, there is a suitable RYA practical sailing course for you with Grenada Bluewater Sailing.

Grenada Bluewater Sailing offers the RYA practical sailing courses listed below, complemented by RYA theory courses and a range of RYA specialist short courses.

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RYA Practical Sailing Course Information:

Start Yachting

An introduction to sail cruising for novices

Competent Crew

A course for those wanting to be active crew members, not just passengers

Day Skipper

Take charge on short passages under instruction

Coastal Skipper

Skipper more challenging passages by day and night

Pre-course experience None None 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours
Assumed knowledge None Optional online basic theory course recommended Basic navigation and helmsmanship. It is recommended you attend the Day Skipper shorebased course beforehand Boat handling to the standard of Day Skipper and navigation to shorebased Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster standard
Minimum duration 2 days 5 days. If you have done the Start Yachting course, this course can be completed in 3 or 4 days 5 days 7 days
Minimum age None None 16 17
Course content Steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework, safety on board Basic seamanship and helmsmanship Pilotage, boat handlings, seamanship and navigation Passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations
Ability after course Basic knowledge of yachting. Reduces the time needed to complete the Competent Crew course Able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines Able to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day Able to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night