Mainstay Sailing adjusts to life in the COVID world
Mainstay Sailing adjusts to life in the COVID world
Following a risk assessment by Mainstay Sailing on board our training yacht "Mohawk",we are doing our bit to reduce risk of infection to our students, staff and guests.
We identified the helm as a regular contact area, and decided to remove the porous leather cover and have the bare polished stainless steel exposed.
This means the we can wipe down and sanitise very easily. The stainless steel doesn't feel as comfortable in your hands, but students and guests can easily slip on sailing gloves to solve that problem.
MORE MARITIME NEWS
Mainstay Sailing
We wish you a safe, joyful, and peaceful Festive Season, filled with relaxation and time well spent with those who matter most. May the year ahead bring fresh inspiration, new adventures, and many unforgettable memories both on and off the water.
Mainstay Sailing
If your dream is to be happy, sailing and watching sunsets then make it happen.🌅 - Book an adventure with Mainstay Sailing, we’ll make that dream come true.🌴 - - #learntosail #sail #sailing #sailing⛵️ #sailingadventure
Mainstay Sailing
Meet Kayami, the yacht we use for our 5-night / 4-day RYA Day Skipper course here in the Whitsundays.⛵️ - Today, our newest skipper Kate is giving you a quick tour of the boat she called home during her training. - Kayami has four cabins, two bathrooms, and plenty of space to learn the ropes while exploring the islands. Her name means summer in Japanese - fitting for the warm, relaxed sailing life we get out here. - If you’ve been thinking about levelling up your skills or starting your sailing journey, this is a little glimpse into what your week onboard might look like 👀 #whitsundaysailing #dayskippercourse #learntosail #sailingaustralia #sailinglife #boattour #sailingeducation #sailinglifestyle #australiatravel #sailingwhitsundays
Mainstay Sailing
Dreaming of sailing through the Whitsundays? 🌴 With Mainstay Sailing, you don’t just learn to sail — you live it. From helming the yacht to mastering the ropes, every course takes you out on the water and into the adventure. ⚓️ #MainstaySailing #WhitsundaysSailing #LearnToSail #SailingAdventure #RYA
Mainstay Sailing
Get richer with Mainstay🌅 - - - #australia #sailinglife #whitsundays #dayskipper #sailing #sail #sailinglifestyle #learntosail #sailingadventure #boatlife #charteryacht #rich
Mainstay Sailing
Thank you to @amandamatley for creating this lovely video of the latest Mainstay adventure in Greece. 🇬🇷 - To keep up to date with upcoming experiences visit www.mainstaysailing.com.au
Mainstay Sailing
We had some unexpected dinner guests in Nara Inlet this week - A group of curious cockatoos decided to join the crew mid-meal, just another reminder of how special this part of the Whitsundays are. Beautiful water, good company, and the friendliest locals around. 🌅 #mainstaysailing #dayskipper #whitsundays #sailinglife #australianwildlife #narainlet #boatlife #sailing #sail #sailors #birds #australia
Mainstay Sailing
Just 30 seconds on the boat = happiness ⛵️ Nothing makes life’s problems fade away faster than the sea breeze and some wind in your sail. 📲Book now!! Link in bio - - - #sailing #sailinglife #sailinglifestyle #sailingadventure #australia #whitsundays #dayskipper #learntosail #sail #sailing⛵️ #whitsundays #happiness #vitaminsea🌊☀️ #dayskipper #rya
Mainstay Sailing
Meet our newest skippers! 🌅 - This October the crew spent the week with Captain Nick completing their Day Skipper training - learning the ropes, navigating the Whitsundays, and soaking up plenty of sunshine along the way. Such a great group and an even better week out on the water! 🌅 - - #sailinglife #sailinglifestyle #sailingadventure #australia #whitsundays #dayskipper #learntosail
Mainstay Sailing
The Mainstay Sailing Team has arrived in Lefkada, Greece
Demi nailed her Yachtmaster exam!
Demi nailed her Yachtmaster exam! Watch out world, she’s officially licensed to yell at the crew.
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
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!
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.
REVIEWS
I recently completed the RYA Competent Crew Course with Mainstay Sailing. It is the most comprehensive, hands-on, and value-for-money sailing course out there—don’t waste your money going anywhere else! This course is the real deal, delivered to the exacting standards set by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Plus, taking place in some of the most beautiful coastal waters in the world, the Whitsunday Islands provide varied conditions and geography to truly hone your skills and confidence. Safety was paramount throughout, and everyone on board felt completely comfortable. Beyond the incredible wildlife we saw daily—from whales and dolphins to turtles and the largest manta ray I have ever seen—the personal highlights for me were the night sail and anchoring, and the man-overboard recovery drills. To put this review in perspective, I am 62 years old and started sailing two years ago. This course made all the difference in how I feel about my sailing capabilities. You are never too old... as long as you have reasonable fitness and an inquiring mind, sailing is a fantastic pastime supported by a wonderful community of people from all walks of life. I will definitely be back next year to complete my RYA Day Skipper Certificate. A huge thank you to Terrence and Ron—the Dynamic Duo!
Incredible fun meeting like minded travelers and sailing around the whitsunday Islands while learing the ropes. Terance's experience and superb teaching style makes learning natural and leaves plenty of time for a swim at the georgous beaches. Training was regularly interupted by whales, giant mantarays and dolphines. The biggest surprise is Terance's cooking skills. 5 star meals.
Great instructor and really well run Day Skipper course in a beautiful part of the world, would recommend and will come back!
I really enjoyed the Day Skipper Practical course. I sailed with Clarence and Amanda in April, and they were fun to be around and I learned a lot in the process. And the Whitsundays is such a gorgeous place to learn how to sail. I definitely recommend it.
FAQ's
Not necessarily. RYA Start Yachting and RYA Competent Crew are designed for beginners. If you’re considering Day Skipper or a more advanced course, some prior sailing experience is recommended.
If you’re completely new to sailing, Start Yachting or Competent Crew are great places to begin. If you already have sailing experience and want to progress towards skippering, Day Skipper is the natural next step. From there, you can progress to Coastal Skipper and eventually Yachtmaster.
Yes. RYA qualifications are internationally recognised and are widely used by sailors and charter companies around the world.
Our RYA courses depart from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach, right in the heart of the Whitsundays.
A lot! Our courses are practical and hands-on. You’ll be involved in helming, sail handling, navigation, anchoring, rope work, safety and other aspects of running a sailing yacht.
We keep our courses small so you get plenty of time at the helm and meaningful one-on-one guidance throughout your sailing experience.
Absolutely. Private RYA training can be tailored around your experience, goals and confidence on the water. It’s particularly popular with couples, families, friends and sailors who want a more personalised experience.
Yes. We also offer private sailing experiences for those who want to experience the Whitsundays without undertaking an RYA qualification.
You’re learning in a genuine cruising environment, sailing between islands, navigating anchorages and experiencing real-world conditions — all surrounded by the spectacular Whitsunday Islands.
You can continue your sailing journey through the RYA pathway: Competent Crew → Day Skipper → Coastal Skipper → Yachtmaster.
Still not sure which course is right for you?
Tell us a little about your sailing experience and what you’d like to achieve, and we’ll help you choose the right course.
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: +61402429152
