RYA 5-Day Practical Course
£750.00 5 days
Choose the start date (available start dates are highlighted in green). Then select the type of course you’re after.
RYA Practical Courses are run over 5 consecutive days. You can do either Day Skipper, Competent Crew or just spend the week gaining more experience. We limit the number of people to 3, so there’s plenty of instructor time. Just choose the course type when you sign up.
Day Skipper Practical
The RYA Day Skipper practical is a course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills. The course is run in a SAFE but FUN and FRIENDLY environment aimed at BUILDING CONFIDENCE in your SKIPPERING ABILITY. You’ll learn to skipper a short passage with the instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety. Experience being in charge, taking credit when it all goes well and being responsible when it doesn’t. The required pre-course experience is 100 logged sea miles, 5 days onboard a yacht and 4 night hours. Additionally, you are expected to have theory knowledge to the standard of Day Skipper theory. Before taking this course, if you are not sure that your sailing is up to speed, get in touch and we can help ensure this is the right next step for you.
Competent Crew
The RYA Competent Crew is the perfect starting point for your RYA training programme and a great introduction to yachting. The course introduces you to the delights of sailing aboard a cruising yacht. It is an ideal stepping stone for dinghy sailors trying yachting for the first time and for those who have already done some crewing but wish to learn more. At the end of the 5-day course, you will become, a competent, confident crew member.
The course is run in a SAFE but FUN and FRIENDLY environment aimed at BUILDING CONFIDENCE and YACHTING SKILLS it’s ideal for BEGINNERS with no previous sailing or yachting experience. You will be taught the fundamentals of crewing such as knots, nautical terms, sail handling and helming, as well as how to live in the environment of a cruising yacht. During the RYA Competent Crew course you will spend all 5 days aboard the yacht visiting many of the beautiful harbours and anchorages of the Solent and if the weather allows, complete a longer coastal passage. With a maximum of 4 students per course, your fully qualified instructor will devote plenty of time to your individual needs. Safety is paramount on all RYA courses and you will learn how to operate flares, lifejackets, safety harnesses, liferafts, how to assist the recovery of a man overboard and participate in at least four hours of night sailing during the course. This is the perfect starting point before going on to complete the Day Skipper Theory and Day Skipper Practical courses. If you want to get a head start before taking this course, you can do the Essential Navigation and Seamanship online course (this is not a pre-requisite). At the end of the course, you will be awarded the RYA Competent Crew Certificate and be an asset to any crew you join!
Polka – GBR912R
Polka is a meticulously maintained Beneteau First 34.7, fully race prepared. She has a carbon mast and rod rigging and flies an asymmetric spinnaker from a retractable carbon bowsprit.
We carry a full race sail inventory including:
- Carbon Membrane Main Sail
- Membrane Jibs (No. 1 & No. 3)
- Heavy Weather Jib
- Storm Jib
- TrySail
- Code 0 Asymmetric
- A2 Asymmetric
- A4 Asymmetric
Polka is MCA coded and compliant with ISAF category 1 offshore racing. She carries all the latest safety equipment, above and beyond the requirements of both bodies. All crew whilst onboard have a Spinlock Pro-sensor lifejacket allocated for their use. (The Skippers rules when to wear them will be applied at all times).
Haslar Marina – Portsmouth
This course sails from the fabulous facilities at Haslar Marina..
We run sailing courses from our base in Haslar Marina, Portsmouth. There’s free parking on site and easy access to the Solent.
An amazing week – Marcus is very clear and also very patient, I didn’t feel under any pressure at all. I was quite nervous coming into the week but felt at ease straight away. Marcus explains everything thoroughly and demonstrates all the things you have to do and then helps you do them. The atmosphere on the boat was fun and relaxed the whole time. I’d do it all again for sure!
Having now completed my Day Skipper theory and practical with Marcus it is time to share my experience. There is not a person who is more passionate and knowledgable about the whole sailing experience making it very enjoyable whilst always focusing on safety and best practice. I would thoroughly recommend Polka Sailing for any of your sailing requirements whether absolute beginners or experts. I have already booked further training courses with Marcus. 5 star knowledge and service, with outstanding delivery whether online, virtual or in person so why go anywhere else?
Did what it said on the tin.
If you like sailing, want to expand your knowledge and navigational ability, Marcus at Polka Sailing provides clear, professional and easy follow RYA courses. Enjoyable, beneficial and thoroughly recommended to people of all ages. Doing the RYA Day Skipper theory course was the best thing I’ve done for ages.