OUR RYA COURSES
RYA Practical Sailing Courses
Whether you’re taking your very first steps into sailing or preparing for advanced offshore passages, our Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Practical Sailing Courses are designed to build real confidence, real skill, and real enjoyment on the water.
Based on the South Coast, Bourne to Sail offers hands-on, practical tuition in a relaxed and supportive environment. Our experienced instructors focus on learning by doing, helping you become a capable, confident sailor — not just someone who’s passed an exam.
RYA Start Yachting Course
Perfect for complete beginners, the RYA Start Yachting Course is your introduction to life on board a sailing yacht. Over the course, you’ll learn the basics of how a yacht works, essential safety skills, and what it’s really like to be at sea. There’s no pressure and no prior experience needed — just a great first step into sailing.
Ideal for: First-time sailors, couples, friends, or anyone curious about yacht sailing and wanting to give it a try without too much commitment.
RYA Competent Crew
The RYA Competent Crew Course is designed to turn beginners into confident, capable crew members. You’ll gain hands-on experience with sail handling, ropework, helming, safety, and living on board — all while sailing real coastal passages.
Ideal for: Those looking to crew confidently on yachts with friends, family, or charter holidays.
RYA Day Skipper Practical Course
Ready to take charge? The RYA Day Skipper Practical Course teaches you how to skipper a yacht safely and confidently by day. You’ll cover navigation, pilotage, boat handling, passage planning, and decision-making — all in real-world sailing conditions.
This is a key qualification for anyone wanting to skipper their own yacht or charter boats at home or abroad.
Ideal for: Sailors looking to take responsibility and skipper confidently.
RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course
The RYA Coastal Skipper Course takes your skills to the next level, focusing on more advanced boat handling, passage planning, and skippering in challenging conditions. You’ll develop the confidence to manage longer passages including night sailing, higher-pressure scenarios and more development of navigation using Radar.
Ideal for: Experienced Day Skippers wanting to broaden their range and confidence offshore and in night hours.
RYA Yachtmaster Preparation Week
The RYA Yachtmaster Preparation Week is an intensive, confidence-building course designed for sailors preparing for their RYA Yachtmaster exam. You’ll refine your boat handling, navigation, skippering skills, and exam techniques under the guidance of an experienced instructor who understands exactly what examiners are looking for.
Ideal for: Skippers preparing for the Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore exam.
MORE THAN A COURSE
Why Sail with Bourne to Sail?
Professional, friendly, and highly experienced instructors who really care about your progression and your enjoyment along the way. Real-world sailing — not just box-ticking Supportive learning environment Small groups and personalised instruction Stunning South Coast sailing grounds
Whether your goal is relaxed coastal cruising, skippering your own yacht, or progressing towards Yachtmaster, we’ll help you get there with confidence