Wetstuff provide the RYA’s sail cruising programme for those wanting to start cruising, or to expand their cruising knowledge. It encourages high standards of seamanship and navigation in pursuit of the RYA’s belief that a system of voluntary education is more likely to achieve higher standards of safety than legislation to control and regulate our sport.

The programme comprises a series of practical courses which are complemented by our navigation courses and other specialist short courses. You can enjoy them simply to increase your knowledge and confidence, or use them as a progression to the RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence which are recognised by maritime authorities worldwide.

Most courses take place over five days, or a series of weekends. By taking your course at Wetstuff's RYA Recognised Training Centre you sre sure of being taught by experienced, qualified instructors on board a very well equiped yacht with a maximum of five trainees although we normally schedule courses for four to allow more time for each trainee to practice the new skills they have learnt. Courses can be taken either onboard a centre’s boat or your own boat.

The Competent Crew Course

This course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers. By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines on board. The minimum course duration is five days, but it is commonly run over three weekends or three days plus a weekend.
No previous experience required. At the end of the course you will have the confidence and practical skills to be a useful member of a yacht's crew. A course completion certificate is issued, but there is no examination as such.

The Day Skipper Practical Sail Cruising Course

This five-day course gives you the chance to take charge on short passages under instruction. You will concentrate on pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation. The course can be taken in tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly. If you plan to charter a boat and be your own skipper, this is the minimum certification you need.
The minimum pre-course experience required is 5 days living on board, 100 miles logged and 4 hours night sailing. Possession of the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased certificate is desirable but is not essential if you have a sound understanding of the principles of navigation and tides. At the end of the course you should have the confidence to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day. A course completion certificate is issued, but there is no examination as such.

The Coastal Skipper Practical Sail Cruising Course

This is a five-day advanced skippering course for those who have considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation, wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night. Each trainee will skipper more challenging passages and learn more about passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations. The course is taken in tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly.

The minimum pre-course experience required is 15 days on board (2 as skipper), 300 miles logged and 8 night hours. You should have the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased certificate or be of equivalent standard. It is assumed that you are already a competent helmsman and have the basic skills of seamanship. At the end of the course you should have the confidence to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night. A course completion certificate is issued, and a separate practical examination can be taken which leads to a Coastal Skipper qualification.

Yachtmaster Preparation

There is no such thing as an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore practical course.

Wetstuff offer a Yachtmaster Preparation course. This is a four or five day course designed to prepare you to pass the Yachtmaster assessment which is completed with an RYA examiner. You will find the course is tailored to each candidate's particular requirements so that we spend time on those areas where you will get the most benefit.

We can arrange the examination for you if you wish and you can use the training vessel for the assessment. If needed, we can even provide a crew.

Short Notice

places available on courses within 6 weeks