WHAT WE OFFER

Whether you want to be a master skipper or desire a romantic getaway sailing amongst turquoise blue tropical seas and islands, we have what you want. We specialise in personal service coupled with years of expertise to get you back to life as it should be.

RYA Courses

Whether you have never been on a yacht, or you just want to learn a bit more, we offer professionally run courses which will give you internationally recognised qualifications.

Shop

Mainstay Sailing sell items ranging from tenders, winches to first aid kits. Browse the collections and let us know if there is anything we can help you with.

Charters

Come sailing with us for a few days or a few weeks. We organise full service charters to the outlaying uninhibited islands of the Whitsunday Group. Couples are our specialty.

2 day sailing trip

Join our super friendly crew and discover the Whitsunday Islands on a 2 day/1 night sailing adventure aboard Mohawk

Week long sailing trip

This is the trip you have been waiting for! Imagine a romantic trip amongst the Whitsunday tropical islands.

Sustainable Sailing

You’re a young, active person who takes sustainability to heart. You refuse plastic bags in a store, and carry your own reusable water bottle.

Monday, June 15, 2020

Sea Safety and Survival Courses scheduled in Queensland for buildup to Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

2 new course dates have been set for the Australian Sailing Sea Safety and Survival course in Queensland.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

RYA Interactive courses are available now..

The course offers a great introduction to navigation and safety awareness for new or inexperienced skippers and crew.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Remote assessment process for marine radio examinations

Mainstay Sailing has adopted the newly allowed remote assessment method for VHF marine radio, and HF marine radio licences.

Friday, May 8, 2020

Mainstay Sailing adjusts to life in the COVID world

Following a risk assesment on board,we are doing our bit to reduce risk of infection to our students, staff and guests.

ABOUT US

Mainstay Sailing, through its owners, directors and all its staff will deliver the highest level of training and services to its customers and associates. We will keep up to date with the latest available equipment and technology, and share the information and knowledge to improve the enjoyment and safety in sailing, cruising and in boating in general. We will do our best to make it fun and interesting and stimulate a spirit of adventure in the process. We will tailor our teaching style and methods to cater for persons of all abilities and learning styles.

TERENCE SMITH

PRINCIPAL & CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

FAQ's

How about vessel deliveries?

We have the knowledge and skills to safely deliver your boat to its new port.

We respect the trust owners place on us. Years of blue water sailing experience has ensured that careful preparation, regular watch keeping and making sure the boat is safe at all times is essential for the safety of the people on board and the yacht.

At the same time we can provide tuition for you and your crew during the planning of the passage and the actual delivery itself. Extra crew can be arranged if required.There are four stages to a delivery exercise – preparation, leaving port, passage making and arrival with debrief

Our ethos

Our escapades bring you back to the fundamentals of life. Spending a few days on a boat brings out the best in human nature. Living and working together we talk a lot, laugh a lot, and put the world to rights. It is more than an escape from the complexity of life ashore; the fresh air, natural adrenalin and outdoor activity give your body a good physical detox too.

Charters for a couple?

The ultimate getaway for 2! Yacht charters and sailing cruises are one of the best ways to experience beauty of the Whitsundays. Choose from romantic overnight yacht charters for two, sailing cruises with meals and drinks, hands-on sailing trips or something with a touch of luxury. Once out on the glittering waves you'll see why we think yacht charters and sailing cruises are such a treat!

Who is the RYA?

The Royal Yachting Association is the national body for dinghy, yacht and motor cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative for inland waterways cruising.
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Our internationally renowned training schemes steer 250,000 yacht sailors, power boaters, small craft leisure boaters, windsurfers and canal boaters towards confident and successful boating every year.
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So whether your end goal is to spend more quality down time on the water, to travel, to compete, to work, or to advance your career; there’s a course for you.

Payments

Payments are taken prior to course or charter start. We have payments plans to make it easier for you.

REVIEWS

Adrian Comiskey

Epic experiences with a Master Sailor!

Words cannot do justice to the joy, experience and wisdom that Terence gives through his love of sailing, or his superb level of teaching and training with Mainstay Sailing. With his expert guidance, I have been able to realise my own dreams through the RYA Dayskipper, and also share this amazing learning experience with my 13 year old daughter, who Terence coached with great compassion and patience as she grew through her fears. This shared sailing adventure has created a beautiful bond and sense of adventure that has made our lives so much richer-I’m eternally grateful! I can’t wait to continue sailing and learning with Mainstay all the way to Yachtmaster level, out of the rat race and onto the seven seas, ahoy!

brian ryder

Coast to Coast Constructions

Great Course

Can't recommend Terence and Mainstay highly enough. I want to thank Terence for his patience and encouragement with my Day Skipper course which I now have under my belt. I hope to continue and do Coastal next. Thanks for all the great meals and company on "Mohawk" too!

Tobes Merriman

RYA Day Skipper with Mainstay Sailing

Last year I did my RYA Day Skipper Course with Terrence and Mainstay Sailing. Over the course of one year spent in Australia, this was one of the highlights. I’m sure I won’t be able to articulate all the details that made it such a great experience, but I’ll give it a go. 1. Terrence is a great instructor. He has many years of experience on the water and this shows. As well as being able to answer very specific questions about seamanship and navigation, his answer usually comes with a good story too. 2. Terrence is also very generous with his time, and the use of his yacht. His passion for getting people on the water, enjoying sailing, really shines through. Therefore, he will go above and beyond to offer you the time and experience that you need. 3. The sailing area around Gold Coast is beautiful, with lots of interesting nooks and crannies to explore. We were also lucky enough to go to Tasmania, which was amazing. 4. You’d never think you’d be able to eat so well on a yacht. Terrence is an excellent cook and he makes sure you are well filled while you are on your trip. I’m sure there is more that I’ve missed out. However, the general gist is that I couldn’t recommend this enough.

COME SAILING WITH US