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Competent Crew: An entry-level course which can be combined with other students doing Day or Coastal Skipper on the same boat.

Available 'Competent Crew' courses for the dates 03 Nov 2024 to 03 Nov 2025 (inclusive)

25 NOV 2024

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25 NOV 2024

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02 DEC 2024

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13 JAN 2025

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20 JAN 2025

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20 JAN 2025

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27 JAN 2025

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03 FEB 2025

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03 FEB 2025

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10 FEB 2025

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17 FEB 2025

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24 FEB 2025

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10 MAR 2025

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17 MAR 2025

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17 MAR 2025

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24 MAR 2025

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21 APR 2025

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28 APR 2025

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Please check that this is right for you

Please check this is the correct course for you:

Competent Crew is suitable for anyone who’s new to sailing or who’s been on a sailing yacht just a few times, but is not yet ready to start being in charge as the skipper.

By the end of this course you should have become a useful crew member on board a sailing yacht and be able to steer and carry out sailing and general crewing duties, including on a night passage. You should also have gained an understanding of marine terminology and the principals of sailing and boat handling. Suitable for all ages from 12 upwards.

Skills Builder is a five day course suitable for anyone who would like to gain more experience and sea time under the guidance of an instructor, but without the pressure of achieving any certification. This week is ideal for anyone transitioning between different levels of course or who simply feels a bit rusty after an extended period of not sailing.

You are likely to be sailing alongside other students who are working towards a certificate and your instructor will work with you on the areas where you want to gain further experience and skills.

By the end of this week you will have further developed or gained new skills and valuable sea time to prepare you for future courses and sailing adventures of your own.

Please check this is the correct course for you:

Day Skipper is designed for aspiring skippers who’ve already spent 5 or more days as active crew on board a sailing yacht and already have 4 or more hours experience sailing at night. You might have already done some skippering or perhaps have had limited or no opportunity to be the sole skipper in charge. You will have already completed the RYA Day Skipper shore-based theory course, or at least have knowledge to that level. This course is suitable for all ages from 16 upwards.

By the end of this course you should have the knowledge and skills to be the sole skipper in charge of a sail cruising yacht on coastal passages by day in familiar waters. You will also have some experience of night pilotage. Successful candidates, awarded with the RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate, will also be qualified to skipper bareboat charter yachts in many parts of the world. By selecting this course you are confirming that you have already completed the following pre-requisites:

  • I’ve spent 5 or more days on board a sailing yacht as an actively involved crew member
  • I’ve sailed at night for 4 or more hours
  • I understand sailing terminology and can control a sailing boat on all points of sail
  • I’ve successfully completed the RYA Day Skipper shore-based theory course, or at least have knowledge to that level.

OR

  • I’ve discussed my sailing experience with Sail Nelson and have been approved to attend the Day Skipper course

Please check this is the correct course for you:

Coastal Skipper is an advanced course for experienced sailors who’ve already spent at least 15 days actively crewing on board a sailing yacht, covering at least 300 nautical miles and including a minimum of 8 hours night sailing. A least 2 of your days of existing experience will also have been as skipper. Your boat-handling, sailing skills and knowledge should already exceed those of Day Skipper level and you should have completed the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shore-based course, or at least have the knowledge to that level.

By the end of this course you will have consolidated your existing experience as a skipper and further developed your crew management skills. You should be confident to enter unfamiliar harbours by day and night and navigate more challenging coastal passages in a variety of conditions. Successful candidates will be awarded the Coastal Skipper certificate of competence and will perhaps be considering further developing their skills to become endorsed as a Yachtmaster. Suitable for all ages from 17 upwards. By selecting this course you are confirming that you have already completed the following pre-requisites:

  • I’ve spent at least 15 days sailing a yacht as an actively involved crew member
  • I’ve sailed at night for 8 or more hours
  • I’ve sailed as the skipper, fully in charge on board a sailing yacht, for 2 or more days
  • I’ve successfully completed the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shore-based course, or at least have the knowledge to that level.

OR

  • I’ve discussed my existing experience with Sail Nelson and have been approved to attend the Coastal Skipper course.

RYA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore (sail) practical exam.

IMPORTANT NOTE : This is a very advanced level practical exam for which you must ALREADY have the necessary sea time, skills and knowledge, as explained on our website.

There’s very limited availability for our Yachtmaster Preparation Weeks and they usually take place at the beginning and end of each season, when there are more hours of darkness for night navigation skills.

The week takes the form of five days of preparation, honing your existing skills and practicing the tasks and manoeuvres that the examiner is likely to test you on. After the 5 days of preparation your instructor hands over to the external examiner, who will then conduct the practical 2-day exam.

Guidance and Advice

  • All courses are 5 days long (live-aboard basis).
  • All courses start on Monday.
  • Courses only operate from early November until late April.
  • A $600 NZD deposit is required to confirm your place on the course. Until a deposit is received your booking remains provisional.
  • Complete the booking/enquiry form below to request a place on a course.
  • The Cost of the 5 day (4 nights) practical RYA sailing course is $2595.00 (NZD) including local taxes.
  • A small surcharge applies for Payments made by International Bank Transfer (e.g. via SWIFT).
  • The course is fully inclusive of all food, fuel, berthing fees, tuition, RYA certification and accommodation on board.
  • Terms and conditions are shown at the bottom of the form. We strongly advise you to take out adequate travel insurance.

COVID19 Information

Please note that in these uncertain times we will provide a full refund if we have to cancel a course for any reason, including Covid 19 restrictions.
We also strongly recommend that if booking flights you book well ahead and purchase fully flexible and refundable tickets.

Exceptions

If you have a family group please contact us and we will facilitate things for you