Private RYA Training

Professional RYA training, tailored entirely to you.

Whether you’re a new yacht owner looking to build confidence, preparing for extended cruising, working towards an RYA qualification or simply wanting to refine your sailing skills, private training gives you the freedom to learn exactly what you need, at your own pace.

Train aboard your own yacht or one of ours, with a programme designed around your experience, your goals and the way you want to sail.

Why Choose Private RYA Training?

Training Built Around You

A standard RYA course follows a structured syllabus and is an excellent way to develop your sailing skills alongside other sailors. But sometimes you need something more personal.

Private RYA training gives you the opportunity to focus specifically on your experience, your yacht and your goals.

Rather than spending time covering skills you already understand, we can concentrate on the areas where you want to become more confident and capable. Your training can be tailored to your pace, your level of experience and the type of sailing you intend to do.

Whether you are preparing to take your own yacht cruising, working towards an RYA qualification, learning to handle a larger vessel or simply want to become a more confident skipper, private training puts the focus firmly on what you want to achieve.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Your programme is developed around you.

Your Yacht or Ours

Train on the Yacht You Actually Sail

One of the greatest advantages of private training is the ability to train aboard your own yacht.

Every yacht has its own characteristics. Sail plans, engine controls, electronics, handling, manoeuvring and systems can all differ considerably between vessels.

Learning on the yacht you intend to sail means you can develop skills that are directly relevant to your own boat and your own cruising plans.

We can work with you on everything from leaving the marina and handling the yacht under power to sail trim, reefing, anchoring, mooring and manoeuvring in confined spaces.

Don’t Have Your Own Yacht?

No problem.

Training can also take place aboard one of our yachts, giving you an excellent platform on which to develop your sailing and skippering skills.

This can be particularly useful if you are preparing to purchase a yacht, transitioning to a larger vessel or simply want additional experience before taking responsibility for your own boat.

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Your yacht. Our yacht. your goals

What Can We Train You In?

Practical Skills for Real-World Sailing

Private training allows us to concentrate on the skills that matter most to you and the type of sailing you plan to undertake.

Depending on your experience and objectives, training can include:

Yacht Handling

Build confidence handling a yacht under sail and power, including close-quarters manoeuvring and marina departures and arrivals.

Sail Handling & Trim

Develop a better understanding of sail trim, reefing, headsail handling and how to get the best performance from your yacht.

Berthing & Manoeuvring

Practise marina manoeuvring, coming alongside, leaving a berth, reversing and handling your yacht in tight spaces.

Anchoring & Mooring

Learn practical techniques for anchoring, picking up moorings and safely setting up for overnight stays.

Navigation

Develop practical navigation skills using charts, electronic navigation systems, GPS and the information available around you.

Passage Planning

Plan and execute passages appropriate to your yacht, crew, weather conditions and experience.

Weather & Tides

Learn how to interpret forecasts, understand local weather patterns and incorporate tides, currents and conditions into your sailing plans.

Night Sailing

Build confidence operating your yacht after dark, including navigation, watchkeeping, lights and the practical considerations of night passages.

Coastal & Offshore Preparation

Prepare yourself and your yacht for longer passages, including passage planning, crew preparation, safety procedures and boat management.

Skippering & Decision Making

Develop the confidence to take responsibility for the yacht, crew and passage — making informed decisions before and during a voyage.

Training can be as broad or as focused as you need it to be.

Who Is Private RYA Training For?

Designed for Sailors at Every Stage

Private training isn’t only for experienced sailors.

It can be valuable at almost any stage of your sailing journey.

New Yacht Owners

You’ve bought your first yacht — now you want to feel confident taking her out yourself.

Private training can be built around your specific yacht, helping you understand her handling, systems and characteristics while developing the practical skills you need to skipper safely.

Couples & Families

Learn together and develop the skills needed to operate your yacht as a team.

Training can be tailored so that everyone aboard understands their role, from sail handling and manoeuvring to navigation and safety.

Cruising Sailors

Planning a coastal cruise, extended passage or offshore adventure?

We can focus your training on the practical skills you’ll need for the type of cruising you’re planning.

RYA Qualification Candidates

If you’re working towards an RYA qualification and would benefit from additional preparation or focused practice, private training can help you strengthen specific areas before undertaking your assessment or course.

Experienced Sailors

Even experienced sailors sometimes want to refine particular skills.

Perhaps you want to improve your marina manoeuvring, become more confident with sail trim, prepare for night sailing or learn to handle a different type or size of yacht.

Private training lets you focus on exactly that.

Australia & Beyond

Private Training Wherever Your Sailing Takes You

Although Mainstay Sailing is based in the Whitsundays, private training doesn’t have to be limited to Airlie Beach.

We can arrange private sailing training throughout Australia, subject to availability and the location of the yacht.

For yacht owners preparing for a major passage, taking delivery of a new yacht or simply wanting professional guidance aboard their own vessel, we can work with you to develop a practical training programme around your circumstances.

International Training

Planning a sailing adventure overseas?

Private training may also be available internationally by arrangement.

If you’re taking delivery of a yacht overseas, preparing for an extended voyage or want to develop your skills before heading off on your next sailing adventure, talk to us about what you have in mind.

Tell us where you’re sailing, what you’re sailing and where you want your skills to take you — and we’ll help you work out the training you need.

Your Training. Your Yacht. Your Goals.

Private RYA training is about more than ticking boxes on a syllabus.

It’s about developing the confidence, practical skills and decision-making ability to take responsibility for your yacht and the people aboard her.

Whether you’re learning your new yacht, preparing for your next qualification or getting ready for the adventure of a lifetime, we’ll build the training around you.

Let’s Talk About Your Training →