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ScotSail® Course Help - Choosing The Right Course
What Are You Interested In?
Whether you are a newcomer to boating, need a qualification to hire a boat,
just brush up your skills or even to gain employment - there is a course and certificate for you!
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The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) is the National Governing Body for all forms of boating in the U.K.
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It is appointed by the MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) , under the Department for Transport to issue licences, certificates, qualifications and commercial endorsements valid for use on yachts, powerboats, motorcruisers, dinghys and keelboats - as well as shorebased navigation certificates, VHF Radio Licences, and other specialist certificates.
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RYA Courses and Certificates are open to all comers - from beginners to the more experienced.
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RYA and RYA/MCA Certificates are internationally recognised and respected, particularly the RYA Day Skipper and International Certificate of Competence - accepted worldwide for the chartering of yachts and powerboats. |
RYA Sailing Courses & Learn-to-Sail Holidays
QuickFacts:
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You can enter the Sail Cruising & Yachtmaster® Scheme at any stage according to your experience. |
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There is no need to start at a beginners level, unless you want to. |
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Course types can be mixed on-board, so couples, friends and families doing different courses can stay together. A maximum of 5 persons per RYA Yachtmaster® Instructor is permitted under national regulations.
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You can choose exactly what type of course you want after you arrive - there is no difference in dates, prices, locations or yachts. Often this can be chosen with help from your RYA Instructor.
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Courses like Competent Crew, Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper are not 'tests', but rather continually-assessed learn-to-sail holidays, with structured RYA Training and Recognised Qualifications. They are designed to be enjoyable sailing experiences.
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Each night is spent on-board, in cabins, at a different island or marina. There are usually discounts for couples, groups or families. |
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This course is a short introduction to sail cruising (yachting) for novices, and those wanting to try out sailing for the first time. It is also used by couples, friends and familiies as a fun weekend sailing activity break. Holders of the Start Yachting certificate can complete the RYA Competent Crew Course in just a further two weekends. It is not necessary to do the Start Yachting before taking the full RYA Competent Crew Course.
In A Nutshell: This course is for you if you want to learn about yachting and have a fun weekend away sailing.
Full Course Details Page | Course Dates Page
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The RYA Competent Crew Course is the first major RYA Sail Cruising Course. It can be taken over 5 Days/Nights Sun-Fri, or any 3 Weekends. It is aimed at those new to sailing, or those with some previous experience that want to build miles and experience towards the next course up - RYA Day Skipper. Each night will be spent on-board, in cabins, travelling to a different place each evening. This is an ideal Learn-to-Sail Holiday for those with no skippering experience.
In A Nutshell: This course is for you if you want to get experience of sailing, and know how to be a useful crew-member on-board a yacht, whilst on enjoyable yachting week.
Full Course Details Page | Course Dates Page
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Our most popular sail yacht cruising course by far - if you have some prior sailing experience and some theory knowledge, you can go for the Day Skipper (Coastal/Tidal) - recognised worldwide, this respected training course and Photo-I.D. Licence card gives you the knowledge to be safe and take charge of a yacht with friends or family - it's accepted by yacht charter companies in the U.K. and abroad, by insurance companies if you want to own a yacht, and can even be Commercially Endorsed to legally take charge of up to 12 passengers + crew. It's normally taken over 5 Days/Nights Sun-Fri, or any 3 weekends, and is a continually-assessed teaching course, not an exam or test.
In A Nutshell: This course is for you if you want to take safely charge of, and navigate, a cruising yacht, and have the certificate needed to charter a yacht worldwide.
Full Course Details Page | Course Dates Page
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This course is designed for those who already have skippering experience, and want to take their skills and qualifications further - the aim is to teach the skills and techniques required to safely skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night, as well as putting into practice some more advanced navigation methods, perhaps learned during the RYA Coastal / Yachtmaster Shorebased Navigation Course.
Also popular with those building miles and skills towards even higher qualifications like the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster® Coastal and Offshore Prep Courses & Exams. Can only be taken over 5 Days/Nights.
In A Nutshell: This course is for you if you want to expand your skippering skills and take on more challenging sailing or travel further afield.
Full Course Details Page | Course Dates Page
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This is a ScotSail® 5 Days/Nights Preparation Week with a Senior RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore Instructor guiding you. It is designed to get you used to the boat and crew, and practice advanced techniques, navigation and crew management methods in the lead up to an Independent RYA/MCA Examiner to come on-board on the Thursday afternoon, to assess your knowledge and ability.
It is a straightforward examination, through day and night hours, and the examiner will want to talk with you to discuss your experience, and to examine your personal logbooks. You should already be an experienced sailor before your put yourself forward for these high-level qualifications. For most, being entitled to use the Yachtmaster® title is the ultimate in personal and professional yachting achievement.
In A Nutshell: These prep-courses + RYA/MCA Exams are for experienced skippers wanting to formalise their skills into RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence, either for commercial reasons, or for a sense of high personal achievement.
Full Course Details Page | Course Dates Page
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Twice per year, we run 7 Days / Nights Adventure Sailing Cruises from our main base at Largs Yacht Haven on the West Coast of Scotland. On-board our largest yacht - an Elan 431 and led by a Senior RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore / Ocean Instructor with extensive round-the-world experience, you will take part in sailing the yacht on much more adventurous passages to further away locations. You will be expected to take a watch and get fully involved, whilst en-route to visiting islands and marinas throughout the week.
In A Nutshell: This adventure sailing cruise and experience milebuilder is for you if you have your RYA Competent Crew or higher already, and want a longer, more adventurous sail and travel much further afield - Ireland? Hebridean Islands? You decide on-board...
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RYA PowerBoat Courses & PowerBoat Experience Days
QuickFacts:
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You can enter the National PowerBoat Scheme at any stage according to your experience. |
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The most popular course is the RYA PowerBoat Level 2 (Coastal/Tidal). You do not need to do the Level 1 beforehand, or have any prior knowledge or experience.
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You can choose exactly what type of course you want after you arrive - there is no difference in dates, prices, locations or yachts. Often this can be chosen with help from your RYA Instructor.
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National PowerBoat Scheme Courses are not 'tests', but rather continually-assessed courses, with structured RYA Training and Recognised Qualifications. They are designed to be enjoyable, but informative, powerboating experiences in addition to important qualifications.
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A maximum of 3 persons per RYA PowerBoat Instructor is permitted under national regulations. |
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This is a fun 1-day introduction to power-boating handling and safety. Low speed, high speed and crew-considerations will be covered and much more - a real "hands-on" basic introduction. Conducted from 9am-5pm on a planing powerboat, this experience includes all safety equipment, light lunch & refreshments and RYA Certificate.
In A Nutshell: This course is for you if you want a quick and fun introduction to powerboating - great for kids.
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The most popular powerboat course - no prior experience or Level 1 is needed, and this 2-Day RYA Course is an internationally recognised qualification and can be used to hire powerboats up to 10 metres worldwide, is accepted by insurance companies for boat owners and can even be Commercially Endorsed to legally take up to 12 passengers to sea - plus it's amazing fun doing it too! No Exam Required.
In A Nutshell: This course is for you if you want to own or hire a powerboat and need the skills to be safe - or if you need to work commercially - and legally - within 3 miles of shore during daylight hours.
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This 2-day course covers the practical use of pilotage and passage-planning by day on coastal waters using both traditional and electronic techniques. More advanced boat handling will also be covered. Candidates will be competent to National PowerBoat Level 2 (Coastal/Tidal) and it is strongly recommended that candidates hold a valid First Aid Certificate and VHF Radio Licence. In A Nutshell: This course is for you if you want to expand your skippering skills and take on more challenging powerboating, or travel further afield during the day.
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A 2-Day RYA Course For leisure or professional powerboaters wanting to undertake more adventurous trips - including navigation by day and night, taking into account weather and crew factors and other skippering techniques. More challenging passages and weather conditions should be experienced. Ability to Intermediate PowerBoat Level and Coastal/Yachtmaster Shorebased Navigation is strongly advised.
In A Nutshell: This course is for you if you want to expand your skippering skills and take on more challenging sailing or travel further afield during day, night and during adverse weather.
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The RYA/MCA Advanced PowerBoat Certificate of Competence Exam is the ultimate goal of many - not least because of the lucrative and abundant employment it opens doors to - being able to operate powerboats up to 24 metres with 12 passengers + crew, up to 20 miles from a safe haven - day or night. The 2-Day courses + Exams run throughout the year.
In A Nutshell: These prep-courses + RYA/MCA Exams are for experienced skippers wanting to formalise their skills into RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence, either for commercial reasons, or for a sense of high personal achievement. Lucrative and exciting employment opportunities await those holding a Commercially Endorsed RYA/MCA Advanced PowerBoat Certificate of Competence.
Full Course Details Page | Course Dates Page | Read About Commercial Endorsements |
Some packages require previous experience or certification. Please contact us for advice.
Related: Terms and Conditions of Booking >