The course at a glance.
- Programme
- Royal Yachting Association (RYA)
- Level
- beginner
- Delivery
- on water
- Published minimum age
- 12
Confirm how these published details apply to the school’s current programme.
About this course.
RYA Competent Crew is the classic first proper course in yacht cruising. Over about five days you live aboard a cruising yacht with an instructor and a few other students, and go from passenger to a genuinely useful member of the crew: someone who can steer, handle sails and lines, keep a lookout and help out when things go wrong. No experience is needed.
Who it suits
- Complete beginners who want a thorough grounding, not just a taster
- People who already go out on friends' or family boats and want to pull their weight
- Anyone planning to crew on passages, club races or charters
- Future skippers: it's the usual starting point before Day Skipper
- Young sailors: the RYA recommends a minimum age of 12
What you'll actually do
The RYA describes the course as five days, often run over three weekends or three days plus a weekend. If you've already done RYA Start Yachting, it can be completed in three or four days.
Days are spent sailing, usually between different anchorages or harbours, so you learn in real conditions rather than drills alone. You'll take turns at the helm, work the winches, hoist, reef and furl sails, handle mooring lines, and help with daily jobs like cooking and keeping the boat tidy. There's no written exam: the RYA says the instructor assesses you on how you perform your tasks during your time on board.
The RYA syllabus covers sailing terms and parts of a boat, rigging, sail handling, ropework, fire safety, personal safety equipment, man overboard, emergency equipment, weather, seasickness, helming, general duties and on-board etiquette.
Key ideas explained
- Points of sail — a yacht can't sail straight into the wind; there's a "no-go zone" either side of it. From close-hauled (as close to the wind as possible) through a beam reach (wind on the side) to a run (wind from behind), sails are eased further out the further the boat turns away from the wind.
- Tacking and gybing — both mean changing which side the wind comes over. Tacking turns the bow through the wind; gybing turns the stern through it. A gybe swings the boom across quickly, so it's done under control with a clear call from the helm.
- Reefing — reducing sail area as the wind builds. The old rule "reef early" holds: it's far easier to shake a reef out than to put one in when the boat is already overpowered.
- Winch safety — keep fingers clear of the drum, load the line clockwise, and know how to ease a line under load without letting it run away.
- Clipping on — at sea you wear a lifejacket and, when the skipper says so, a tether clipped to strong points or to jacklines (webbing lines running along the deck). The aim is to stay on the boat, not to be recovered after falling off.
- Seasickness — common and usually temporary. Fresh air, a view of the horizon, steering, staying warm and hydrated all help.
Where it fits
| Stage | Course |
|---|---|
| Before | Nothing required; Start Yachting is optional |
| This course | RYA Competent Crew |
| Next | Day Skipper Theory and Day Skipper Practical |
Day Skipper Practical asks for 5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours aboard a sailing yacht beforehand, and Competent Crew is a common way to start building that experience. Broadly comparable courses elsewhere include Australian Sailing Keelboat Start Crewing and IYT International Crew.
Getting ready
- Bring layers, a warm hat, sun protection and soft, non-marking shoes. Ask whether wet-weather gear and lifejackets are supplied.
- Pack in a soft bag; space aboard is tight.
- Learn a few knots in advance (bowline, clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches). It frees up time for sailing.
- If you're prone to seasickness, talk to a pharmacist before the course.
- Ask the school about the boat, the students-per-instructor ratio, cabin arrangements, meals and whether any night sailing is planned.
Good to know in Australia
Check that the school is a current RYA-recognised training centre. A sailing certificate is not a state recreational boat licence; for driving powered vessels, check the rules with your state's maritime authority.
What you learn.
- Use basic sailing terms and name the main parts of a yacht
- Handle sails and rigging and help with sail changes
- Tie and use essential knots and ropework
- Take the helm and steer a cruising yacht
- Use personal safety and emergency equipment, including fire safety
- Take part in man overboard recovery
- Understand basic weather and manage seasickness
- Carry out general crew duties and follow on-board etiquette
Prepare for your booking.
Plan your learning experience.
Ask how mixed abilities are taught
Some training yachts may carry students pursuing different objectives. Ask whether that applies to your booking and how the instructor ensures beginners receive enough explanation and active practice. A more experienced student carrying out a task can be interesting to watch, but watching should not replace your own learning time. Find out how roles rotate and how feedback is given. Explain if you have never stayed on a boat before. The school should be able to describe the first day clearly enough that you arrive ready to participate rather than guessing what is expected.
Compare the full liveaboard package
Look at the complete cost and logistics: tuition, accommodation, meals, harbour charges, equipment and transport to the departure point. Ask which items are included and which are settled separately. For a split course, confirm that all required weekends are available to you and how missed days are handled. Pack to the school’s list, particularly where storage is limited. Leave room in your travel plans for the stated course timings. A cheap flight that forces you to miss the final debrief can undermine an otherwise well-planned learning week.
Use the debrief to plan real experience
Ask the instructor for a practical account of your strengths and the tasks that still require support. Keep a record of your sailing time and arrange another opportunity to crew while the lessons are fresh. If Day Skipper is your ambition, discuss the experience and theory preparation required rather than immediately booking the next available practical course. You may benefit from ordinary crew time, a navigation course or focused practice first. Progress should make the next step more enjoyable and productive, not turn a holiday on a yacht into a race through certificates.
RYA Competent Crew: enquiry checklist
Use this to prepare your first enquiry. Print a copy to keep with your notes.
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A useful first message.
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Hello, I found your YouSail-linked RYA Competent Crew course on Sailing Directory. My recent experience is [details] and my goal is [goal]. Please confirm current dates, prerequisites, recognition, delivery format, group size and the complete cost.
Source updated . School schedules and places require direct confirmation.
Before you make the next move.
Open a question for practical advice to help with your next decision.
Do I need sailing experience?
The RYA lists no prior experience for Competent Crew. Ask the school about the practical demands, age arrangements and suitability for your circumstances.
Is the course always five consecutive days?
The RYA describes five days with split formats also possible. Confirm the actual calendar and accommodation with the provider.
Can I charter after completing it?
It is a crew course. A charter operator decides what experience and evidence it requires for the boat and cruising area; do not assume this course provides independent charter approval.
