All our courses are engaging, interactive and fun! Whether formal training or simply looking to brush up, we take online learning to the next level.
Sailing EssentialsFreeA free course great for anyone who spends time on the water.
Essential Navigation & SeamanshipRYA course for beginners. Learn charts, tides, pilotage, and core seamanship with simple practice tasks.
Day Skipper TheoryMost PopularRYA course for inshore skippers. Plan day passages using chartwork, tides, weather, and COLREGs.
Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® TheoryComing SoonRYA course for advanced navigation and passage planning, secondary ports, tidal streams, and offshore weather.
SRC (VHF) Marine Radio CourseRYA Short Range Certificate radio course. Study online, then take the practical exam with an RYA assessor.Are you looking for something nautical related? Our directory is an extensive list of courses and places associated with the marine industry. Hop over and search now.
We believe every day’s a school day on a boat! That’s why we built Nautical Know-How, dedicated to answering your questions. Even better, if it can’t answer your question immediately, you can request it, and we’ll add it to our knowledge base.
Nautical Terms & TerminologyUnderstanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. Let us explain why a sheet isn’t for your bed, why “heave ho” doesn’t mean throw up (most of the time), and why “dead reckoning” is surprisingly less ominous than it sounds.
Why do we have tides?Have you ever wondered what causes the tides? Check out this video, which introduces the forces that create the tides we experience on Earth.
What causes our weather?A video introducing the drivers behind our weather, part of our RYA Day Skipper & RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster® Offshore theory courses.
Buoyage FlashcardsFlashcards designed to help remember the buoys in the IALA system. If you want to learn them in detail, our module ‘Getting in and out of harbour‘, covers the IALA system and different buoys used.
Interactive Rule Book (COLREGs / IRPCS)Whether you’re a novice sailor or a seasoned skipper, we can help you navigate the IRPCS confidently and clearly. Our easy-to-use, easy-to-understand, plain English rule book with helpful interpretations of what each rule means.
The Salty Sea BlogFrom salty old sea dogs to fresh-faced deckhands, this blog is for anyone who finds peace, adventure, and a bit of mischief on the water. So hoist the main, set your course, and let’s sail into the stories, lessons, and musings that make life on the sea so irresistible.A practical examination for the RYA/MCA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence. The candidate is assessed as skipper on planning, pilotage, boat handling, navigation, safety, collision avoidance and command, including night or demanding conditions as prescribed by the current scheme. It is an examination rather than a training course. Eligibility, sea time, supporting certificates and commercial…
A practical examination for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence in a motor vessel. The candidate demonstrates skippering, navigation, pilotage, safety, collision avoidance, passage management, crew leadership and motor-cruiser handling to the examiner. It is not a course-completion certificate. Current qualifying mileage, sea time, passages, age and supporting certificates must be evidenced under the…
An RYA introductory racing course for sailors beginning to take part in organised dinghy races. Training introduces starting, course sailing, basic rules, boat handling, speed and simple tactics so the sailor can complete a race and understand the sequence of an event. It assumes basic sailing control and is the first step in the RYA…
An RYA advanced practical module developing versatile boat handling and problem-solving in a dinghy. Exercises may include stopping, sailing backwards, reducing sail, anchoring, picking up a mooring, recovering a person overboard, and launching or recovering in different circumstances. The aim is controlled seamanship across varied situations, not simply higher speed. Content and techniques are adapted…
The first RYA Youth Sailing Scheme stage, introducing young sailors to basic boat control and safety. Training is practical and normally covers getting under way, steering, sail awareness and returning under close supervision. It is a staged achievement rather than proof of independent sailing; age, boat, weather and supervision arrangements are set by the recognised…
The second RYA Youth Sailing Scheme stage, developing basic steering and sail control on more points of sail. Young sailors build confidence in rigging, launching, tacking, gybing and responding to instructions while remaining within an appropriate supervised environment. Progress depends on demonstrated skills rather than age alone. Stage 3 moves towards sailing independently in light…
The third RYA Youth Sailing Scheme stage, developing independent sailing in light conditions. Training consolidates sailing in all directions, manoeuvres, stopping, basic safety and decision-making with less direct instructor input. The award is condition and craft specific; Stage 4 extends techniques and independence rather than removing the need for appropriate supervision.
The fourth RYA Youth Sailing Scheme stage, consolidating independent sailing and introducing more advanced techniques. It develops rigging, launch and recovery, efficient sailing, manoeuvres and practical seamanship across a broader range of situations. Stage 4 completes the core youth progression but does not represent competence in every boat or condition; advanced, racing and foiling modules…
An RYA practical module teaching the rigging and use of conventional or asymmetric spinnakers in a dinghy. It covers preparation, hoisting, trimming, gybing, dropping, crew coordination and recovery from common handling problems. Spinnaker gear can produce high loads and rapid sail movement, so the course builds on established sailing skills and uses techniques appropriate to…
An RYA practical foiling course introducing controlled take-off and the first short flights on a dinghy. Training develops equipment knowledge, safe launching, stance, power control, take-off, touchdown and recovery while managing separation from other water users. Suitable weather, equipment and prerequisite board or boat skills are necessary; the award does not imply sustained flight in…
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
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