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 spar used to position the windward clew or guy of a symmetric spinnaker away from the mast. Its inboard end attaches to a mast fitting and its outboard end carries the guy or brace. A topping lift supports it, a foreguy or downhaul controls upward movement, and these controls establish height and angle for…
A permanent or semi-permanent rope termination or join formed by interweaving, burying or otherwise integrating the rope’s elements. Eye, short, long and end-to-end splices use methods specific to laid rope, double braid, single braid or high-modulus fibre. A correctly designed splice can retain more rope strength and create less bulk than a knot, but efficiency…
A lightweight performance-oriented sailing boat designed for high speed, responsive handling and competitive sailing. Sportsboats commonly use a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio, asymmetric spinnaker, retractable bowsprit and a keel or centreboard, with crew weight contributing strongly to stability. Size, cabin provision, ballast and class rules vary, so the term does not define one regulated design category…
A folding or fixed canopy over a companionway or forward cockpit area that deflects spray, wind and rain. Often called a dodger in North American usage, it normally consists of fabric and transparent panels supported by a metal frame. Its coverage, handholds, windows and ability to fold vary, and it may connect to a cockpit…
A compression strut projecting from a mast to deflect and support a shroud or stay. Spreaders increase the angle between mast and rigging so shroud tension can support the mast more effectively. They may be straight or swept, fixed or articulated, and arranged in one or several sets according to the rig. Their roots, tips,…
A sailing vessel with one mast and a fore-and-aft mainsail, normally with a headsail set ahead of it. The modern sloop is a common yacht rig, usually carrying a mainsail and one working headsail such as a jib or genoa. Variations include masthead and fractional rigs, and additional sails may be set without changing the…
The gap through which air flows between two adjacent sails. The term most commonly describes the space between a headsail and mainsail. Its width and shape change with sail trim, sheet lead, mast position and the relative sizes of the sails. Airflow through the slot influences the pressure distribution and flow over both sails. A…
To secure a vessel, its rig and loose equipment in a compact, protected condition for heavy weather, harbour or inactivity. The expression can include reducing or stowing sails, lashing booms and movable gear, closing openings, securing lockers and preparing moorings, anchors or storm equipment. The actions depend on whether the vessel is under way, at…
Removable or fixed panels forming part of the walking surface inside a vessel. They commonly cover bilges, tanks, structure or service runs and may provide inspection access through lifted panels or separate hatches. Marine plywood, timber, composite or metal panels can be used, often with a non-slip finish. Boards must be supported and secured against…
A measurement of water depth or the act of obtaining that measurement. Traditional soundings use a lead line, while echo sounders determine travel time of acoustic energy between transducer and seabed. A charted sounding is normally reduced to chart datum, whereas an onboard display may show depth below transducer, keel or surface depending on its…
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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