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.For a sailing vessel to turn rapidly or unintentionally towards the wind. A round-up commonly occurs when heel, rudder load or weather helm exceeds the available steering control, particularly in a gust or with excessive sail. The sails may luff and the vessel may slow sharply or pass through the wind. Reducing heel and restoring…
Lines, wire and associated movable equipment used to hoist, lower, trim or control sails, spars and other gear. Halyards, sheets, guys, lifts, reefing lines and control lines are typical examples, working through blocks, sheaves, tracks, clutches, cleats and winches. Unlike standing rigging, these components move or are adjusted during operation, although some remain loaded for…
A compartment intended for stowing sails and associated sail-handling equipment. It may be a dedicated forepeak or deck locker or a dry storage space within the accommodation, depending on vessel design. Sail bags, battens, sheets and covers need restraint and organisation so the required sail can be removed without damaging cloth or blocking access. Wet…
Short lengths of line or webbing used to secure a lowered or furled sail. They keep a mainsail gathered on the boom or restrain another sail for temporary stowage so that it does not fill with wind or obstruct the deck. Traditional sail ties may also be called gaskets. Ties should be secure but not…
The tack on which the wind is coming from the vessel’s port side. On a conventional fore-and-aft rig the mainsail and boom are normally to starboard, but sail position is evidence rather than the defining rule and unusual or backed sails can mislead. Tack is determined by the side from which the wind is received….
A line or tackle rigged to restrain a boom from crossing the vessel unintentionally. A properly arranged preventer leads from a suitable point on the boom to a strong point or controlled line system forward and aft. It is used when sailing with the wind abaft the beam to reduce the likelihood and violence of…
A point of sail with the apparent wind between close-hauled and directly astern. A close reach has the apparent wind forward of the beam, a beam reach approximately abeam and a broad reach abaft the beam. Exact angles vary with vessel, rig, sail and whether true or apparent wind is being referenced. Reaching often allows…
For a vessel’s bow to turn away from the wind. The expression can describe an intentional helm action or a response to wind, sails, current, waves or loss of forward speed. It is similar to bear away or fall off, although usage varies between regions and types of vessel. Paying off changes the apparent wind…
Sailing closer to the wind than the sails and hull can support efficiently. When pinching, the sail’s leading edge may begin to lift and drive falls, reducing speed and water flow over the rudder. Although the heading points higher, the loss of speed and increased leeway can reduce progress made to windward. The boundary depends…
Proceeding under engine while a sailing vessel also has one or more sails set. Motor sailing can increase speed, reduce rolling or help maintain a chosen course in light or adverse wind. Sail trim and engine power must be coordinated because the apparent wind and loads can change as the vessel accelerates or alters course….
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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