What to Expect on an RYA Competent Crew Course: A Day-by-Day Guide

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to live aboard a yacht while learning to sail? Whether you’re completely new to sailing or just looking to build confidence on the water, the RYA Competent Crew course is your gateway to the world of yachting. In this guide, we walk you what’s involved in a Competent Crew course and exactly what to expect — from the moment you step aboard to the moment you earn your certificate.

What Is the RYA Competent Crew Course?

The RYA Competent Crew course is a 5-day practical sailing course designed for complete beginners. It’s ideal for individuals who want to learn the ropes of sailing, join family or friends as useful crew members, or begin their journey toward more advanced RYA qualifications like Day Skipper.  For full details on the Competent Crew course including a link through to upcoming course dates have a look here.

The course takes place aboard a modern sailing yacht, and participants live on board for the duration — giving you hands-on experience not just sailing, but living life at sea.

– No prior experience needed

– Taught by RYA-certified instructors

– Courses run from locations like Shamrock Quay Marina, Southampton

– Includes all meals, accommodation, and safety equipment

Getting the main sail ready for hoisting

What to Expect Each Day

Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of what your week could look like.

Join on the First Evening before the course starts

We ask students to join around 8pm the evening before your course starts.  This allows you to meet your instructor and fellow student crew mates.  You will be given your bunk/cabin and shown around the yacht – your home for the next five days.  The adventure begins.  After stowing your gear you may have time for a drink ashore and a chat with the instructor about the week ahead – what you will learn, where you might sail to each day and what sort of weather you are likely to encounter.  It will then be time to turn in for your first nights sleep aboard.

Down below on a yacht

🧭 Day 1:  Safety Basics and Sailing Basics

After a hearty breakfast on board your instructor will kick things off with a safety briefing and lifejacket fitting.  You will also go over parts of the boat and what certain things do.

You’ll learn things like:

– How to stow your kit safely

– Key parts of the boat: winches, hatches, galley, etc.

– Basic safety procedures and terminology

– How to use a lifejacket and harness

You will also learn about:

– Handling lines and fenders

– Tying essential knots (clove hitch for fenders and figure-eight stopper knots)

– Raising and lowering sails

Around mid to late morning you will cast off for your first bit of sailing.  Departing from Shamrock Quay you will pass under the huge Itchen Bridge and out of the River Itchen into Southampton Water and the Solent beyond.

Expect a relaxed pace today, with plenty of time to settle in.  You’ll raise and lower sails and get a chance to have a go at steering.

By late afternoon you can expect to be heading into a marina in somewhere like Cowes or Beaulieu or the River Hamble for the night.

Once moored up in a marina there will be a chance use the shower facilities ashore.

Supper will be on board.  As with all our courses we provide food for all meals on board.  You the crew get to make supper – it’s all part of the Competent Crew course and learning to live on board a yacht.

🌊 Day 2: Learning the Ropes

After another hearty breakfast you’ll head out for some more sailing.

Down wind sailing on a Competent Crew course

Today you will likely practice things like:

– Tacking and gybing

– The ‘points of sail’

– Maybe reefing – which is where you make the sails a bit smaller if the wind is strong

– Some more knots – (bowline, a round turn and two half hitches, a sheet bend, a reef knot)

You’ll take short passages along the coast, perhaps anchoring for lunch or visiting a new marina. You’ll also learn how to berth the boat safely — an essential crewing skill.

Again around late afternoon you will head into a marina for the night.

⛵ Day 3: Building Confidence on the Water

By now, you’ll feel more comfortable aboard. Expect more sailing and seamanship exercises:

– Practising sail trim and points of sail

– Man overboard recovery drill (yes, it’s as important as it sounds! – But don’t worry – no one has to go into the water).

– Introduction to charts, navigation, and buoyage

– Taking more initiative as part of the crew

Again you will dock somewhere new — often in another picturesque harbour or marina — where you might enjoy a walk ashore or another cozy dinner onboard.  Other places in to stop of at include Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, Lymington, Portsmouth Harbour and Newtown Creek.

As an aside, it is worth mentioning that the Competent Crew course is designed by the RYA and part of a recognised scheme that enables people to progress and advance in their sailing know how.

💨 Day 4: Crewing Skills – Seamanship in Action

This is the day where everything starts to click.

You’ll put your knowledge into action:

– Tacking and gybing with confidence

– Getting to grips with weather forecasts

– Learning to reef (reduce sail) in stronger winds

– Practising anchoring and weighing anchor

– Helming

– Keeping a good watch and adhering to the rules of the road

You’ll rotate roles with your fellow crew members — a there are chances to lead small tasks and grow your confidence.

Visiting Yarmouth on a Competent Crew course

🏁 Day 5: Final Sail & Competence Check

Your final day is all about consolidating skills and showing how far you’ve come.

You’ll:

– Handle sail hoists, tacks, and gybes.  You may well not need any prompting at this stage

– Take the helm with more independence and steer a course by looking at the compass

– Have chances to show your understanding of the rules of the road

– Assist with final berthing and yacht tidying

At the end of the day, your instructor will debrief you and the crew. There’s no formal test — assessment is ongoing throughout the course — and assuming you’ve taken part and demonstrated the basics, you’ll be awarded the RYA Competent Crew certificate.

What Should You Bring on your Yachting Course?

Here’s a short packing list:

– Sleeping bag & pillow

– Warm, layered clothing (weather can change quickly)

– Non-marking shoes (deck shoes or trainers).  Sailing wellies are a good thing to have and these can be purchased in the chandlery in Shamrock Quay for around £45. (Or any other chandlery).

– Waterproofs – we can supply these free of charge.

–  Toiletries & towel

– Headtorch (optional, but useful!)

– A sense of adventure

A full kit list will be provided before your course.

Student Experience: Richard’s Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Just passed my RYA Competent Crew with Paul – excellent instruction, made wonderfully fun with his top humour. What a great way to learn yacht sailing – a different marina every night, comfortable berths on board a brand new boat, and tremendous company to boot. Even me losing a treasured hat to the wind triggered a full (and successful) ‘man overboard’ drill – priceless!”

Frequently Asked Questions about the RYA Competent Crew Course

Do I need any experience to join?
No! The course is designed for complete beginners.

Will I get seasick?
Some people do, this can happen on the first day — but most adjust quickly. Bring seasickness tablets if you’re concerned.

Do we sleep on the boat?
Yes — it’s part of the fun! You’ll have a berth (bed) onboard and share communal spaces like the galley and heads (toilets).

What if the weather is bad?
Courses go ahead in most conditions, and you’ll learn to reef and sail safely in various weather. If it’s dangerous, your instructor will adjust plans.

Final Thoughts

The RYA Competent Crew course is more than a sailing qualification — it’s an unforgettable experience. You’ll learn practical skills, gain confidence on the water, and share adventures with a small group of like-minded people. Whether you dream of crossing oceans or just want to try something new, this is where it all begins.  Many of our students go on to the more advanced courses and then to charter yachts in places like the Med.  Some go on to sail much further a field and we even have some alumni who having started with Competent Crew have gone on to sail around the world.

👉 Ready to Take the Helm?

Explore available dates and book your RYA Competent Crew course today:

🔗 View Course & Booking Options

Posted by: First Class Sailing