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RYA Sail Cruising Level Two – Basic Skills

RYA Sail Cruising Courses Level Two

The RYA has introduced two levels into the Sail Cruising Scheme. Start Sailing and Basic Skills. Or Level One and Level 2. These enable sailors to train to a high level in boat handling skills and to prepare them for the other courses such as Dayskipper and Yachtmaster. You will not be able to cope with a practical navigation course without the necessary skills to sail efficiently and safely.

Fun while you learn

The courses are not “teachy” and are fun. There is no examination involved as the course is 90% practical with some simple theory to make you safe on the water. They will also enable you to understand how a yacht works. Just a great way to get involved in the sport.

Do I need prior experience?

Prior to taking the course you need to have achieved the equivalent of Level One

Sometimes combined with Level One into a 5-day course. On successful completion of both levels you will be able to confidently take charge of a yacht in light to moderate wind conditions

To find out more about any of our courses, or to book, please provide your contact details below - click 'Enquire Now' to get started.



Description

Sailing skills to Level One required to take this course. The skills learnt in Level One are developed to enable confident and competent boat handling to develop.

Coming alongside jetties, anchoring, tying up alongside, reefing and trimming the sails. Everything you need to take a yacht out independently and be able to sail safely where you want to go, and not just sailing with the wind.

PRICING

£270 one to one tuition per day

£145 per person per day (minimum of two training) – £290 for two people

£130 per person per day (minimum of three training)

£120 per person per day (four people training)

£600 per person four/five day Levels One and Two combined (minimum 2 people per course)

Highlights

    • Skippering techniques developed
    • Advanced mooring situations
    • Planning mooring approach
    • Accurate and efficient up and downwind sailing

Inclusions

  • Theory to explain procedures and advanced manoeuvres
  • Tidal navigation overview
  • Collisions regulations discussed
  • Use of VHF
  • Basic first aid and crew welfare
  • Seamanships skills

General Information

RYA Level 2 – Basic Skills – Foundation Techniques – 2/3 Day Course

Rigging

Understand how to rig a cruising yacht according to prevailing weather conditions.

Ropework

Can tie a bowline, clove hitch, reef knot, rolling hitch, sheet bend.

Sailing Techniques

Have a practical understanding of the “4 Essentials”, sail setting, sail trim, balance, course made good. Leaving and returning to a jetty or mooring. Coming alongside a moored boat. Understand the Collision Regulations. Aware of lee shore dangers, sailing in close company with others and man overboard recover under sail.

Able to reef whilst sailing. Can use winches. Can use engine controls in starting, stopping, running procedures and visual engine checks.

Sailing Background

Have a knowledge of:

Points of sailing – close hauled, close reach, beam reach, broad reach, run, no go zone.
How a sail works – basic aerodynamic theory.
Sea sailing – basic advice for inland sailors including taking local advice, tide tables, tidal sequence of springs and neaps, ebb and flow.
Effects of wind conditions and tidal flow on sailing conditions. Speed over the ground. Estuaries and harbour mouths – conditions and hazards.
Inland sailing – basic advice including local bylaws, permits, locks and weirs. Have an understanding of tidal sequences, SOG, the effect of wind direction and tidal flow on sailing conditions. Local information and advice for sea sailors. Dangers of hypothermia and the importance of first aid training, particularly cardio pulmonary resuscitation.

Meteorology

Know sources of weather and shipping forecasts and when to reef. Understand the Beaufort wind scale.

Clothing & Equipment

Knows the importance of personal safety, clothing and buoyancy, boat buoyancy and basic equipment, including anchor and bilge pumps.

Emergency Equipment

Knows the importance of first aid kit and flares including stowage. Visual methods of attracting attention. Action to help those in distress.

RYA Sailing Cruise Course »

DAY 1- All techniques in depth

  • Yacht preparation for departure
  • Jetty approaches and mooring pickups
  • Anchoring techniques
  • Efficient upwind sailing
  • Efficient downwind sailing
To start building on your basic knowledge we put together the sequence of setting up the yacht for a day sailing. This is dependent on weather conditions and crew numbers Weather forecasting for the day to enable good planning

DAY 2- Second day confidence building

    • Stern to and bow to mooring practise
    • Alongside wind off berthing
    • Wind on jetty approaches
    • Reefing preparation for heavy weather sailing
    • Meteorology and the effect on the water
To consolidate mooring techniques with varied approaches and exposed jetties Confined close quarter manoeuvring Look at the reefing system and understand when to use it

DAY 3- Solo Sailing Session

  • Run through any techniques that proved to be an issue
  • Preparation for shorthanded sailing without an instructor on board
  • Run through of any theory questions
  • Discuss structure of solo sailing session techniques to be used
  • Depart for solo sailing session supported by an off yacht instructor
Today is the day you go it alone! Following a brief overview and practise session to build confidence in the prevailing weather conditions and crew numbers

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