RYA Competent Crew

Just Sailing’s RYA Competent Crew course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers.

Our RYA Competent Crew course will give you experience living on board and let you really get to know the boat. Virtually all the course is hands on. You are the crew – without you the sails won’t go up and the boat won’t be steered.

By the end of our Competent Crew course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day duties on board a yacht. You should also have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday. The Competent Crew course is the most important of all courses, get this right and this will provide the best foundation for developing confidence and enjoyment on the water.

At JUST SAILING our aim for you is that upon completion of this course you are indeed a Competent Crew able to join any sailing yacht as a valuable crew member. Of course, we cover the RYA Competent Crew course syllabus but we also introduce you to more advanced skills in order to enhance your confidence. In addition, you will receive basic instruction on how to use the VHF radio, the procedures to follow should someone fall over the side, what to do if your skipper is incapacitated, a brief introduction on traditional and electronic navigation, basic engine maintenance and mechanical checks and much more.

Course Structure

Pre-course experience

None

Assumed knowledge

None

Minimum duration

5 days. Often run over 3 weekends or 3 days plus a weekend. If you have done the Start Yachting course, this course can be completed in 3 or 4 days

Minimum age

None

Course content

Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails, sail handling, rope work, fire precautions and fighting, personal safety equipment, man overboard, emergency equipment, meteorology, seasickness, helmsmanship, general duties, manners and customs, rules of the road, dinghies

Ability after the course

Able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines.