The course at a glance.
- Programme
- Australian Sailing
- Level
- beginner
- Delivery
- on water
- Published duration
- 12 hours
Confirm how these published details apply to the school’s current programme.
About this course.
Start Sailing 2 is the course that turns a beginner into a sailor who can take a dinghy out without an instructor. It builds on Start Sailing 1, adds rigging so you can get the boat ready yourself, and completes the fundamental sailing skills on Australian Sailing's dinghy pathway.
Who it suits
- Start Sailing 1 graduates who want to sail independently
- Adults and teens aiming to hire club boats, join social sailing or buy their own dinghy
- Sailors returning after a break who want a structured refresher on the fundamentals
- Anyone who plans to go on to performance sailing or racing
You need to be water confident and have the skills from Start Sailing 1.
What you'll actually do
The recommended length is about 12 hours. Depending on the centre, that might be a two- to four-day intensive or a run of weekly sessions. You'll spend more time sailing on your own or with one other person, while the instructor coaches from a support boat.
You'll rig and de-rig the boat, from stepping the sails and threading the sheets to checking fittings and securing the boat afterwards. On the water you'll practise sailing all the points of sail, tacking and gybing smoothly, and leaving and returning to the shore under control. You'll also sail a set course around marks. Expect a little more wind than on your first course, and more responsibility for your own decisions.
Key ideas explained
- The five essentials: many sailing schools teach five things to check constantly: sail trim, boat balance (keeping the boat flat), boat trim (fore-and-aft weight), centreboard position and course made good. If the boat feels slow or awkward, one of these is usually the cause.
- Centreboard use: push the board fully down when sailing upwind to stop the boat sliding sideways, and raise it partly when sailing downwind to reduce drag. Always leave some board down.
- Heading up and bearing away: heading up means turning towards the wind and bearing away means turning away from it. Easing the sails as you bear away, and pulling them in as you head up, keeps the boat powered and under control.
- Stopping and slowing: a dinghy has no brakes. You slow it by letting the sails out and turning into the wind (into "irons"). This is how you come alongside a jetty or pick up a person in the water.
- Rules of the road: basic right-of-way rules for sailing boats, such as port tack giving way to starboard tack, the windward boat keeping clear of the leeward boat, and an overtaking boat keeping clear.
Where it fits
- Before: Start Sailing 1
- This course: rigging and independent dinghy sailing
- Next: Better Sailing for stronger winds, spinnakers and trapezing, then Australian Sailing's Start Racing if you want to compete
- Or switch to keelboats: Keelboat: Start Crewing (minimum age 16)
Start Sailing 2 is broadly comparable to intermediate "sail on your own" dinghy courses in other systems. It is not an official equivalent to any of them.
Getting ready
- Before the course, run through the parts of the boat and the points of sail from Start Sailing 1.
- Practise a few knots at home: the bowline, reef knot, figure-of-eight stopper and round turn and two half hitches.
- Dress to get wet. A wetsuit or quick-dry layers, sun protection and grippy shoes work well.
- Ask the centre which boat you'll sail, and whether you can hire it afterwards to practise. Sailing on your own soon after the course is what makes the skills stick.
- If you tend to tense up in gusts, tell your instructor. Practising depowering early builds confidence quickly.
Good to know in Australia
Many clubs run social or "twilight" dinghy sailing, which is a good next step. A course certificate is not a state boat licence. If you ever use a motor, check your state's maritime authority for licensing and equipment rules.
What you learn.
- Rig a dinghy
- Build on the fundamental skills from Start Sailing 1
- Complete the fundamental dinghy sailing skills
- Sail a dinghy on your own
Prepare for your booking.
Published prerequisites
- Water confident
- Skills gained in Start Sailing 1
Plan your learning experience.
Make the group format work for you
Find out whether students rotate between boats, how time at the controls is shared and whether the course includes people at different stages. A mixed group can be useful when instruction remains clear and everyone has meaningful practice. Ask how the instructor communicates afloat and how you can request a pause or clarification. If you are booking with a child, partner or friend, check that the course is suitable for each person. Being together is enjoyable, but similar availability does not always mean similar learning needs.
Compare the complete course commitment
Check dates, session length and the arrangements for a missed or weather-affected session. A weekend intensive and a sequence of shorter sessions create different opportunities to absorb feedback between lessons. Consider the journey home, the physical effort and the likelihood of attending every session. Ask whether boat use, learning materials and club access are included, and whether any equipment from your first course is still suitable. Save the written outline so you can compare what you booked with the teaching plan when you arrive.
Choose the next step from feedback
At the end, request a practical description of what you can do reliably and what still needs supervision. You might continue with the dinghy pathway, build a regular club practice routine or try keelboat crewing to see a different side of sailing. Avoid rushing into racing just because it appears next on a noticeboard. Ask whether there is a supported introduction appropriate to your current ability. Keeping sailing enjoyable and frequent is often more valuable than collecting another course title before the earlier skills feel familiar.
Australian Sailing Start Sailing 2: 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.
Replace the bracketed details with your own. Leave unknown information marked as unknown.
Hello, I found your YouSail-linked Australian Sailing Start Sailing 2 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.
Can I skip Start Sailing 1?
Ask the centre to assess your existing experience. Previous sailing may be relevant, but course placement belongs with the instructor rather than an online self-assessment.
Will I be sailing alone?
The pathway develops individual dinghy sailing skills. Confirm the boat arrangement, supervision and exercises with the centre; do not infer the exact setup from the course title.
What should I do afterwards?
Request a clear recommendation based on your performance: further supervised practice, another dinghy course or an introduction to a different type of sailing.
