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 rail along which a traveller car moves to vary the position of a loaded control point. It is commonly fitted athwartships for a mainsheet or along the deck for sail controls. Track fastenings and backing structure must support loads across the full travel, including at the end stops.
A structure or fitting designed to accept a specified substantial load. Examples support tethers, towing, lifting or mooring, but suitability depends on load direction, backing structure and rated capacity. Convenient rails or cleats should not be assumed strong enough without verification.
Fore-and-aft oscillatory movement of a vessel or floating structure. At a berth it may be driven by waves, swell, passing traffic or long-period harbour motion and can create repeated mooring loads. The term is also used more broadly for a rapid water-level change, so context should be stated.
The identification of whether a sailing vessel is on port tack or starboard tack. Under the racing rules, tack is generally determined by the side opposite that on which the mainsail is carried; special wording applies when sailing directly downwind or by the lee. Correct determination is fundamental to right-of-way decisions.
The time, distance or speed lost while a sailing vessel changes from one tack to the other. The vessel turns through the no-go zone, sails travel and speed must be rebuilt. Sea state, crew work, foil efficiency and the amount of over- or under-steering determine the size of the loss.
A vessel’s hull or keel coming into supported contact with the seabed as water level falls or by deliberate manoeuvre. Safe deliberate grounding requires suitable bottom, hull strength, predicted tide, stable attitude and protection for appendages and intakes. An unplanned grounding demands immediate assessment of damage, tide and refloating options.
A notice describing a navigational change or condition expected to remain for a limited period. It may cover buoy moves, works, restricted areas or temporary hazards and is not incorporated as a permanent chart feature. It remains in force until its stated end, cancellation or replacement.
The halyard that raises and supports the inboard or throat end of a gaff. It is operated with the peak halyard so the gaff rises level and is then set at the required angle. Uneven handling can jam the jaws or impose excessive twist and load.
A gooseneck fitting that can move vertically on a mast track. Its position can tension the luff or accommodate reefing and rig setup on some traditional or small-craft rigs. It must be locked securely and kept aligned because sail and boom loads act through the fitting.
To release a mooring or towing line so it can run free without recovering the end from the other attachment point. A slipped line is commonly doubled around a bollard or ring with both ends aboard, allowing departure without shore assistance. Crew must control the release and ensure the line cannot foul a propeller or…
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.
