Choosing the Right Course

The RYA Sail Cruising Scheme

Your route to Yachtmaster

Skippers can take the course that suits their experience, or work through the scheme step by step.

  • Competent Crew Practical
  • Day Skipper Shorebased
  • Day Skipper Practical
  • Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Shorebased
  • Coastal Skipper Practical Course
  • Yachtmaster Coastal Practical Exam
  • Yachtmaster Offshore Practical Exam

Sail Cruising RYA Recommended Pre-Course experience

Competent Crew

No experience needed, just enthusiasm!

Day Skipper Practical

Practical experience : 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours

Assumed knowledge: Basic navigation & sailing ability.

Ideally you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory Shorebased course or at least have a good understanding of the following:

Tidal heights, Tidal streams, Course to steer, Passage planning, Compass variation, Pilotage, Clearing bearings, 3 Position fixes, Rules of the Road, Lights & Shapes and Knots. * See note

Coastal Skipper Practical

Practical experience: 15 days (2 as skipper), 300 tidal miles, 8 night hours.

Assumed knowledge: Navigation to Coastal Skipper Shorebased standard.

Sailing to Day Skipper Practical standard. * See note

Yachtmaster Coastal Exam

Minimum sea time (within 10 years of exam). 30 days, two days as skipper, 800 miles (half of which must be tidal), 12 night hours, Yachtmaster Theory, SRC/GMDSS Radio Operators Certificate, First Aid Certificate

Yachtmaster Offshore Exam

50 days seatime, 5 days as skipper, 2500miles (half of which must be tidal), 5 passages over 60 miles including two overnight and two as skipper.  Yachtmaster Theory, First Aid Certificate, VHF license

Canary Sail are an official RYA training centre and are able to offer all courses from Competent Crew
through to Yachtmaster Preparation. We can only offer the final Yachtmaster exams by prior arrangement.

* Note: All prospective skippers should understand that without the required theoretical knowledge, it is
unlikely that you will be able to successfully complete the course. Our instructors are there to help you if
your theory is rusty but they cannot teach a theory course at the same time as a practical course.

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Courses

A wide range of practical and theory courses offered all year round

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Cruises

Choose from a variety of sail cruises around the Canary Islands and beyond

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Charter

From Bareboat to skippered charter, we have an option to suit your needs

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ACCOMMODATION

Recommended accommodation options in La Gomera and Tenerife

Get in Touch

Phone any time on our UK Divert No. (UK call cost): 0044 1252 837648
Phone (USA): 001 855 866-5566
Phone (Spain): 0034 922 141 967

Company Address:
Marina San Miguel
Urbanizacion Amarilla Golf
38639
San Miguel de Abona
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Islas Canarias
Spain

Office opening hours:

Monday-Closed

Tuesday-Friday: 08.30-15.30

Calls diverted outside of office hours, excluding Mondays. Please send us an email and your enquiry will be dealt with promptly.

Office opening hours:
Monday-Closed
Tuesday-Friday 08.30-15.30

Calls diverted outside of office hours, excluding Mondays. Please send us an email and your enquiry will be dealt with promptly.

Quick Contact

Please use the form below to email us with your enquiry

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Looking to hire a yacht, take sailing courses or maybe just relax on a boat in the Canaries?
With over 20 years experience we offer an unrivalled range of RYA Courses.