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.Understanding the language of the marine world is like trying to learn a pirate’s secret code while juggling fish. You’ll wonder why a “sheet” isn’t something you sleep under but a rope that controls a sail. “Bowsprit” sounds like a sneeze, “booby hatch” isn’t a bird’s hideout, and “port” doesn’t come in a glass—it’s just left. If someone yells, “Man overboard!” don’t ask which direction they swam. And heaven help you if you think “scuttlebutt” is gossip—well, actually, you’d be right about that one. By the time you’ve figured out that “head” means toilet and “galley” isn’t an alley with gourds, you’ve already been hit with a wave and lost your hat to the wind they call a “nor’easter.”
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.
A projection of land extending from a coast into the sea or another body of water. Headlands are often visually prominent and may serve as charted landmarks, but they need not be high or narrow. Their shape reflects geology, erosion and deposition, and bays commonly lie between adjacent projections. Tidal streams, wind and waves can…
A sail set forward of a vessel’s foremost or principal mast. Headsails include jibs, genoas, staysails and various reaching or downwind sails, depending on rig and usage. They may be hanked to a stay, set in a foil, flown free or carried on a furler, and a vessel can set more than one at the…
Forward movement of a vessel, with the bow leading through the water. A vessel making headway is moving ahead relative to the surrounding water, the opposite of making sternway. Headway creates water flow over the rudder and may therefore improve steering response, although the effect depends on the vessel and any propeller wash. The word…
A vessel’s inclination to port or starboard from the upright. Heel is commonly produced by wind force on sails or superstructure, turning forces, an off-centre suspended load or uneven weight distribution. It is generally distinguished from list, which describes a more persistent inclination caused by loading, flooding or damage, although everyday usage can overlap. The…
The elevation of a navigational light’s focal plane above its stated vertical datum. For a shore light, the chart or light list states both the height and the datum used; the datum varies by hydrographic authority and location and must not be assumed always to be Mean High Water Springs. The focal plane is the…
The vertical distance of the sea surface above the chart datum at a stated place and time. Adding predicted height of tide to a charted drying height or depth gives an estimate of water level or available depth, provided the same datum is used. Chart datum is often related to Lowest Astronomical Tide but its…
The steering position or steering control of a vessel, and by extension the person operating it. The physical control may be a tiller, wheel, joystick, steering lever or other interface connected mechanically, hydraulically or electronically to rudders, drives or thrusters. ‘Take the helm’ means assume steering control, while helm orders direct the required steering action….
The person physically steering a vessel at a particular time. The helmsperson operates the wheel, tiller or other steering control and follows the ordered course or manoeuvre. The role does not automatically include command or navigation: a skipper, officer of the watch or pilot may direct the vessel while another person steers. Good practice includes…
The highest tidal level predicted to occur under average meteorological conditions from any combination of astronomical influences.
A rope fastening formed around or to an object, another rope or its own standing part. Unlike a knot formed primarily within the rope itself, a hitch normally depends on the object or standing part around which it is tied. Common examples include the clove hitch, rolling hitch, round turn and two half hitches, each…
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...
Our 1% commitment
My Sailing Course contributes 1% of every Stripe payment to help promising carbon removal technologies move from the lab into the field.
Stripe Climate commitments fund the development and purchase of carbon removal. They are not carbon offsets or credits attached to an individual order.
Welcome to My Sailing Course. Where's this adventure going to take you?
Ahoy there, Visiting Sailor! Ask us anything—whether you need help choosing a course, have a sailing question, or want to speak to the crew.
Scan with your phone to open the My Sailing Course WhatsApp service. You can review or edit the prepared message before sending it.
Your conversation stays with My Sailing Course so our Support team can respond securely.
Enter at least two characters to explore.
Welcome back aboard. Sign in with the email address connected to your My Sailing Course account.
Your account details are encrypted in transit and your password is never displayed or stored by this form. By continuing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Join free to save your favourites, unlock bonus learning resources and keep everything nautical close at hand.
Join the My Sailing Course community with one secure account for your courses, profile and support.
We've successfully created your account. Hold station for a few moments and you will be returned to the page.
Already have an account? Sign in
Enter your account email and we will send you a secure reset link.
This reset link is invalid or has expired.
Your new password is saved securely. We are confirming it across My Sailing Course before you sign in.
Please keep this window open. It will change to the sign-in form as soon as every service confirms the update.
