RYA Practical Sailing Courses
RYA practical sailing courses are the hands-on way to learn to sail, building real skills and confidence on the water. From our Southampton base, these courses take place on yachts in the Solent and cover everything from beginner level through to Yachtmaster.
RYA Competent Crew Course – Southampton & Solent
Learn to sail with our RYA Competent Crew course in Southampton. No experience needed. Liveaboard training on the Solent.
Learn MoreRYA Competent Crew Course – Southampton & SolentRYA Day Skipper Practical Course
Learn to skipper a yacht in Southampton. RYA Day Skipper Practical course in the Solent. Small groups, expert instructors.
Learn MoreRYA Day Skipper Practical CourseRYA Coastal Skipper Course
An advanced sailing course that teaches skippering techniques for those wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night.
Learn MoreRYA Coastal Skipper CourseYachtmaster Offshore Practical Course
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore prep course to prepare you for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence exam.
Learn MoreYachtmaster Offshore Practical CourseYachtmaster Ocean
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean courses. Preparatrion for Yachmaster Ocean exam and certification.
Learn MoreYachtmaster OceanCruising Instructor Course
> RYA Cruising Instructor Course. The entry course for those wishing to teach RYA courses in the RYA Cruising Scheme
Learn MoreCruising Instructor CourseYachtmaster Coastal Course
Prepare for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal exam with focused training in the Solent out of Southampton. Expert instructors, tidal experience and exam readiness.
Learn MoreYachtmaster Coastal CourseRYA Day Skipper Theory & Practical Combined
This 9-day course is excellent for aspiring skippers and is taught on the Solent by friendly instructors with bags of experience
Learn MoreRYA Day Skipper Theory & Practical CombinedRYA Practical Courses With First Class Sailing
All our RYA practical sailing courses start from Southampton, right in the heart of the Solent — widely recognised as one of the best areas in the UK to learn to sail. If you’re specifically looking for sailing courses in Southampton and the Solent, you can explore more options here. The varied conditions, tidal waters, and busy shipping lanes provide the perfect environment for developing real-world sailing skills.
With expert guidance from our friendly instructors, these RYA practical courses are designed to build confidence step by step. Whether you are learning the basics or progressing towards Yachtmaster, you’ll gain hands-on experience that prepares you for sailing independently.
Beginners often start with the RYA Competent Crew course
Many people progress to the RYA Day Skipper practical course
Our RYA yacht courses in the Solent run over five days and are available in these different formats:
- Two weekends (one standard weekend and one long weekend including Friday or Monday)
- Five consecutive weekdays (Monday to Friday)
- Five consecutive days including a weekend (e.g. Thursday to Monday)
Fantastic Week
Fantastic week, would highly recommend this school and the Solent. Very knowledgeable and friendly instructor who was able to tailor learning to suit each person (challenging you when you could do the basic skills). Boat was in good condition, food provisioning was excellent and visited lots of fantastic marinas. Wish I could do it again this week!
Eleanor P
Verified Customer
Our Yachts
Our RYA practical sailing courses are held on a range of yachts, from 32ft to 46ft. Makes of yacht include Jeanneau, Bavaria, Beneteau, and Westerly yachts, to name just a few. Whichever course you choose, you’ll be learning aboard vessels perfectly suited to hands-on training.
Our modern yachts are high-performance cruising yachts built for comfort and ideal for learning. They are the type of boats many people go on to charter in the Mediterranean or Caribbean, making your training directly relevant to real sailing experiences.
On board, you’ll find top-quality equipment including modern electronic chart plotters, radar systems, and traditional paper charts. All yachts are equipped and maintained to the high standards required for teaching by the RYA and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Below deck, the yachts have fully equipped galleys and heating in each cabin, ensuring a comfortable experience while you learn.
All of them are:
- Clean and comfortable
- Equipped and maintained to the highest standard
- Well known and trusted by our instructors
As part of your preparation for an RYA practical sailing course, we’ll let you know a few days in advance which yacht you’ll be sailing on.
First Class Sailing is a leading sailing school in Southampton and London, delivering hands-on training and real offshore experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About RYA Practical Sailing Courses
What is an RYA practical sailing course?
An RYA practical sailing course is hands-on training carried out on a yacht, where you learn boat handling, navigation, seamanship, and safety in real conditions while living onboard.
Do I need experience to take a practical sailing course?
No experience is required for entry-level courses such as Competent Crew. More advanced courses build on existing knowledge and experience.
How long do RYA practical sailing courses take?
Most RYA practical sailing courses run over five days, either as consecutive days or split across weekends.
Where do practical sailing courses take place?
Courses take place on the Solent from Southampton, one of the UK’s most popular sailing areas, offering ideal conditions for learning.
Our Yachts
