Mainstay Sailing
Mainstay Sailing
RYA Start Yachting Course - 2 days - 1 night in the Whitsundays. No experience is needed for this course
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.
This RYA accredited, 2 Day Start Yachting sailing course starts and finishes at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach.
During the course you will learn the basic nautical terminology, how to steer the yacht and handle the sails. We also teach you how to tie knots, handle ropes and use the winches. You will learn how to be safe on board and use the correct safety equipment.
We start early at 7am for an eventful day sailing the Coral Sea. The yacht has 8 berths, two double aft cabins, two berths in the saloon, and a double berth in the forepeak (usually skipper / instructor's cabin). We spend the night at anchor on one of the many islands.
We will send you a copy of our joining instructions about 2 weeks before the course commencement. This explains what to bring and where our yacht is located. On the last day of the course we are normally back in the marina by late afternoon to allow time to complete the paperwork. We then have a celebratory drink at one of the local bars.
Is there anything I need to do before the course?
The RYA Start Yachting course does not require anything to be done beforehand.
This course is great fun and a fantastic way of seeing if sailing is for you. Bring the whole family along. The minimum age is 8 years old.
Sailing courses operate with a maximum of 5 students and one instructor.
Course cost
Investment of $650.00, GST inclusive.
What's included
- Tuition and a complimentary RYA logbook
- Life-jackets and safety harnesses are provided and we can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
- RYA Start Yachting certificate on completion.
MORE 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.
Mainstay Sailing
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.
Mainstay Sailing
Imagine this!
Mainstay Sailing
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
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!
Mainstay Sailing
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 ....
Mainstay Sailing
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
Mainstay Sailing
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.
REVIEWS
Thank you to Nick at Mainstay sailing for your expert guidance and patience for our very first sailing course. My husband and I were feeling very confident to take out our own catamaran after our 2 half days of sailing with you. Nick was very patient, never stressed and made us feel confident, safe & capable every step of the way. Highly recommend Mainstay sailing and we can’t wait to come back to complete our skippers course.
We recently completed a one-day basic sailing course with Mainstay Sailing, and it was exceptional. Our instructor, Nick—a former commercial pilot—brought a calm, measured, and quietly confident presence to the day that immediately put us at ease. Despite facing a bit of swell and wind, Nick’s unshakable composure gave us both the confidence to push past our nerves. While I was wide-eyed as the boat heeled over in one-metre waves, Nick remained completely unbothered—clearly trusting in our abilities before we even did ourselves. Over the course, we covered an impressive amount: sailing fundamentals, safety, rights of way, and even a man overboard drill (which turned out to be one of the highlights). When the weather turned unfavourable, Nick didn’t skip a beat—he simply split the course over two half days to make sure we got the most from the experience. Mainstay Sailing delivers top-notch, practical training with a personal touch. Highly recommended for anyone looking to dip their toes into sailing or brush up on the basics. Five stars, without hesitation.
I had a great time on my Competent Crew Course! Ron, Nick and Terrance made it an amazing experience for us and I learned so much during these 5 days! We sailed the Whitsundays at day and night and got to see all its beautiful and iconic places. Besides sailing, the program included opportunities for snorkeling, land excursions and good conversation over food and drink. Can only recommend Mainstay highly and I will soon be back to undertake my Day Skipper with them! :-)
A fabulous five days. Great tuition from the skipper Nick. Easy going but informative you were allowed to make your own mistakes and practice in a safe environment. As much a holiday as a sailing course as it should be. Looking forward to chartering my own boat ideally around the Whitsundays. Cheers. M
FAQ's
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 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.
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
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 are taken prior to course or charter start. We have payments plans to make it easier for you.
Coral Sea Marina
Shingley Drive
Airlie Beach
QLD 4802
AUSTRALIA
Postal address
PO Box 890
Cannonvale
QLD 4802
AUSTRALIA
Lat: 20° 16′ South
Long: 148° 43′ East
Phone: +61 402 429 152
