This RYA accredited, 13 Day practical and theory sailing course starts at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach and finishes on Great Keppel Island. The practical all hands on deck 5 days sailing and 6 days theory on Great Keppel Island. 7 days accommodation on Great Keppel Island. Optional Course on Great Keppel Island: Radio licence course.
The first night is spent on board in the marina, ready for an early start the next morning.
We head offshore to Thomas Island in the Smith group anchor overnight. Some say this is a South Seas Paradise! The next day we aim for Mackay Marina. At daybreak we head for Percy Island and explore the island followed by a very early start the next day to navigate towards Great Keppel Island.
This exciting new course allows you many offshore miles and night sailing as well as night navigation. You will be required to plan the passage, provision the boat and manage the crew.
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)
All meals are included, except when we over-night in Mackay where the crew go out for a meal.
This course can also be done in reverse: Great Keppel to Coral Sea Marina with a start of May 16 for theory followed by practical on May 22 -27.
Previous Experience Required for Coastal Skipper- 15 days sea time (2 days as Skipper), 300 miles and 8-night hours. Navigation to Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Shorebased or equivalent and sailing ability to Dayskipper practical standard. The minimum age for award of the certificate is 17.
The aim of this course is to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night. To do this well requires strong navigation, seamanship and leadership skills.
During the week your instructor will guide you through preparations for sea and the safety equipment required for offshore passages, passage planning and pilotage and navigating in restricted visibility. A Coastal Skipper needs good boat handling skills and you will have time to practice berthing and mooring under power and sail in various conditions. You will live onboard during the week and we will be visiting many different ports by night and day and you will learn about preparations for adverse weather sailing and emergency situations.
On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded the RYA Coastal Skipper certificate which is recognised worldwide and can lead to commercial qualifications.
Course cost
Investment of $5,950.00, GST inclusive.
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.
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.
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Mainstay Sailing is a very well oiled machine that has delivered outstanding customer service, communication and support through my sailing qualification needs. I attended the Competent Crew and the Day Skipper courses over a three week period. Both instructors were extremely personable with beautiful yachts in great material state. The food over both weeks offshore was nothing short of outstanding. Whilst I have been sailing since 11 years of age, this 54 year old guy learned a lifetime of skills over this period. The fact that the course is backed by RYA and that the company is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) was very important to me. If I could offer some constructive criticism, I must say there were some minor gaps in what was delivered in the first week’s practical in comparison to the following week. This was primarily due to the incompatible weather. Regardless, a practical syllabus for all staff to follow will ensure this is issue is addressed. Overall, the period spent with Mainstay has been great fun, rewarding and challenging for me. Thanks Terrence, Nick and Ron.
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.