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sailing BLOG

Maritime news

Better Boating Expo

Next Friday we are at Coral Sea Marina gardens - 10am -2pm. Come and see us!

Sailing Adventures: Our RYA Competent Crew Course Experience

Ahoy there, fellow landlubbers and sea enthusiasts alike! Last week, our family embarked on an unforgettable journey.

Mainstay Sailing

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/race/standings

Mainstay Sailing

One of our students extraordinaire; Jayden Pendleton went bareboating in Greece this year.

Mainstay Sailing

Known to be one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.

Mainstay Sailing

Last weeks 7 day Coastal Skipper course to Percy Island.

Mainstay Sailing

Only a week ago we took these gentlemen out for a week's sailing on their brand new Bali 4.4 in the Whitsundays.

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Skipper Extraordinaire Terence on his was around the sun again ! Dylan & Shay threw a surprise party at Northerlies last night.

Win a RYA Sailing Course

This week we are joining up with Kristina Travels. Kristina has a YouTube channel with more than 20 million views!

Mainstay Sailing

Mainstay Sailing

Last week's successful Competent Crew / Coastal skipper course from Coral Sea Marina to Percy Island and back to Airlie Beach. looks like the students had a great time as well as learning the ropes. This was the last Percy Island course for 2022. I have setup new RYA Coastal Skipper courses for 2023. Check our website for more information.

Coastal Skipper to Percy Island

Come sail with us to Percy Island and back to Coral Sea Marina.

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Imagine this!

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The maiden voyage to the Percy Isles. The first of the hopefully many RYA Coastal Skipper Courses. Beautiful weather. Thanks Sonia, John, Dennis and Bob - Enjoy yourselves! 😁 If you like to join us on the next course let me know.

Sailing to Thomas Island and Goldsmith Island

A few fun days sailing to Thomas Island and Goldsmith Island 😁

Trip to Goldsmith + Thomas Islands, Whitsundays

Trip to Goldsmith + Thomas Islands, Whitsundays

Tales of the sea

The Coral Sea Academy is an initiative that provides a series of innovative events designed to educate guests, locals and visitors to the Whitsundays about the environment, the Great Barrier Reef, better boating and sustainability.

Mainstay Sailing

Coral Sea Marina to Great Keppel Island RYA Coastal Skipper Course This RYA accredited, 13 Day practical and theory sailing course starts at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach and finishes on Great Keppel Island.

Mainstay Sailing

If you have never sailed a yacht before but want to have a go, then Start Yachting is the course for you. This course teaches you the basics of sailing a cruising yacht whilst you enjoy two days and one night onboard with all meals and snacks provided.

Mainstay Sailing

The First Mainstay Sailing All Girls Course! 😎

Mainstay Sailing

Look what Chantal Henderson sent us from her last RYA Course with Mainstay Sailing ;-) Thank you for the fantastic shots of a cheeky Batfish at Armit Island Chantal!

Mainstay Sailing

Bring your best girlfriend and come sailing!

Mainstay Sailing

2 Day RYA Start Yachting Course commencing 20/21 November. Book now!

Mainstay Sailing

Check this out!

Mainstay Sailing

The last one of the series is tonight!

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Come along

Mainstay Sailing- boating basics

Last Tuesday, Mainstay Sailing gave a talk/presentation about Boating Basics. A collaboration between Coral Sea Marina Mainstay Training and Mainstay Sailing. What could possibly go wrong ....

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Some shots of Airlie Beach Race Week yesterday.

Mainstay Sailing

A great weekend sailing to the Great Barrier Reef and Blue Pearl Bay - Hayman island

Mainstay Sailing

Want to know about the Great Barrier Reef? Come along

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The better boating series continues!

Mainstay Sailing

AFTERNOONS on the boardwalk ~ Enjoy this view with our delicious menu Wed - Fri 3pm-9pm & Sat - Sun 12pm-9pm.

Mainstay Sailing

Learn to Sail now! Due to Covid restrictions in New South Wales we have availabilities for our Comp Crew and Dayskipper courses starting 15 July -19 July

The joining Instructions

This is how we meet prior to leaving shore.

We have a new crew member.- Welcome Oscar

After Bob's sudden demise, we have taken on "Oscar" on to help our students with Man Overboard training.

BOB leaves us after a number of years of loyal service.

BOB moves on after traumatic years aboard Mohawk. When we asked him to stay on his reply was "I'm a frayed knot"

Mainstay Sailing - new office!

We finally did it - we moved into a new office at Coral Sea Marina!

Does Mainstay Sailing only teach sailing skills?

At the end of each course the students get together to celebrate an end to a fantastic week in the Whitsundays. Exhausted but very happy.

A thought for today in a COVID world

This message was received today on board Mohawk after a student posted a picture of us peacefully anchored at Gloucester Island.

Congratulations to James and Bec

James and Bec from Sydney managed to get up to Airlie just before borders closed. They spent a week of interesting sailing around the region.

Sea Safety and Survival Course Changes.

With COVID-19 restrictions around the world as well as the need to move with the times, the official Sea Safety and Survival Course (SSSC) has changed its format to be a blended learning course.

One of our favourite Brazillians drops in for a visit and a sunset sail

Ricardo, who over the last few years has gone from zero to Dayskipper with us, arrived out of the blue in his van "Bella" He was on his way home from an over-land trip to Cape Tribulation when he decided to pop in.

Tony completes his Coastal Skipper Course in the Whitsundays

Tony Stockton from Northern NSW successfully completed his Dayskipper course in the Gold Coast, and went on to breezing through his Coastal skipper course on arrival in Airlie Beach.

Coastal Skipper course from Brisbane to the Whitsundays

Leaving from Rivergate Marina in Brisbane, Mainstay's incredible crew; Tony, Jodi and Dylan, embarked on an epic adventure that would bring many smiles

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.

RYA Interactive courses are available now..

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

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.

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.

FAQ's

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

Payments

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

All Courses

RYA Training (internationally recognised)

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.

If you are planning to charter locally or internationally, we can offer courses which will give you the knowledge and ability to make it safe and enjoyable, as well as the certificate to present to the charter company.

Our practical courses are run on “Mohawk” a Bennetau 40.7, which is ideal for training in a safe and comfortable environment. Our training ground is the Whitsunday region in Queensland. All courses are run from our base at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach.

Your instructors are RYA qualified and will ensure your learning experience is fun, and exciting. We adapt the courses to suit all learning styles and personal preferences. The accommodation and food will set the ideal learning environment to ensure that you have a fantastic week with us.

Current course dates

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