16-19 yrs RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper Practical – 5 Night Course from Plymouth

Gain practical sailing experience and earn your RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper Practical qualification on board Moosk, a classic gaff yawl. Over five nights, you will take part in hands-on training covering helming, sail handling, navigation, and watchkeeping, guided by professional instructors. No prior experience is required, and the course helps you build confidence, skills, and sea miles in a supportive environment.

Key Details

Age group: 16-19
Duration: 5 nights
Group size: 1-5
Start/finish point: Plymouth

Key Skills

Sail handling and ropework
Helming and navigation
Meteorology and pilotage
Watchkeeping and passage making
Emergency procedures and safety at sea
Teamwork, leadership, and communication

What to Expect

The course begins with embarkation at Plymouth Yacht Haven, including a full orientation of Moosk and a safety briefing. From the start, you will get involved in helming, sail handling, and learning the basics of navigation, ropework, and watchkeeping under the guidance of experienced instructors. Evenings are spent reviewing the day, planning the next day’s activities, and enjoying shared meals on board.

Practical exercises throughout the week cover all Competent Crew or Day Skipper requirements, including meteorology, emergency procedures, man overboard drills, and yacht handling under both sail and engine. You will experience life at sea first-hand, sharing responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, and keeping the vessel tidy, while also having downtime to relax on deck or in communal areas.

The course is structured to gradually build confidence and competence at sea. By the end of the five nights, you will have the skills to take part in future voyages, pursue further RYA qualifications, and accrue valuable sea miles. Professional instructors provide ongoing support to ensure safety and progression for all participants.

Location

Departing from Plymouth, the course sails along the south Devon and Cornwall coast. Depending on weather conditions, the route may include sheltered bays, harbours, and stretches of open water, offering a range of sailing experiences.

The area provides excellent opportunities for practical seamanship exercises, coastal and offshore navigation, and occasional stops to explore, swim, or enjoy the shoreline.

Accommodation

Accommodation is on board Moosk in shared bunks, with communal areas for meals and relaxation. Meals are included, and the yacht is equipped with all necessary safety equipment and waterproof clothing.

Life on board encourages teamwork and active participation, from cooking and cleaning to maintaining watches. Downtime can be spent socialising, observing the coastline, or relaxing on deck. The combination of historic surroundings and practical learning makes for a rewarding experience.

Vessel

Moosk – a gaff yawl built in 1906 – is known for her seaworthiness, handling, and comfort. She provides an ideal platform for both Competent Crew and Day Skipper Practical courses, allowing participants to practise sail handling, navigation, and all aspects of life at sea.

Her strong oak frames and teak planking create a safe and sturdy platform, while spacious decks allow everyone to participate in helming, sail trimming, and ropework. Below deck, comfortable cabins and communal areas provide a supportive environment for learning and socialising.

Prerequisites

For the Day Skipper Practical qualification, participants must have completed the Day Skipper Theory course and logged at least 100 nautical miles on a sailing yacht. Competent Crew has no prior experience requirements.

Participants should be in reasonable health and able to take part in hands-on sailing activities. Full instruction is provided, with guidance throughout the course to ensure safety and confidence at sea.

Why Choose Us

This course offers the chance to gain internationally recognised RYA qualifications on a traditional gaff yawl, combining practical seamanship training with historic surroundings. Professional instructors ensure a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment.

With small groups, hands-on experience, and a focus on developing skills, confidence, and sea miles, this course is ideal for 16–19-year-olds seeking a thorough and engaging sailing experience along the south Devon and Cornwall coast.

Accommodation on board Moosk
All meals during the course
Use of waterproofs and safety equipment
Professional RYA instruction and supervision
Hands-on sailing experience

Transport to and from the meeting point
Personal insurance
RYA Day Skipper Theory course (required for Day Skipper Practical)
Personal spending money
Sleeping bag and pillow

This course is open to young sailors aged 16–19, whether you’re completely new to sailing or have some previous experience. Competent Crew has no prior requirements, while Day Skipper Practical requires that you have completed the theory course and logged at least 100 nautical miles.

On board Moosk, everyone gets involved in sailing and daily boat life, making it a fully practical and engaging experience. Small group sizes mean instructors can give personalised guidance throughout the five nights.

No experience is needed for the Competent Crew course. Beginners will learn the essentials of sailing, including handling sails and ropes, steering, and navigation, all under expert supervision.

For Day Skipper Practical, you need to have completed the theory course and sailed at least 100 nautical miles beforehand. Both courses provide step-by-step instruction to help you gain confidence and competence at sea.

Competent Crew students will gain basic skills in sail handling, ropework, helming, navigation, meteorology, watchkeeping, and safety procedures. These skills prepare you for future RYA qualifications.

Day Skipper Practical students advance to passage making, pilotage, night sailing, yacht handling under sail and engine, maintenance, and provisioning. Both courses also build teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

Life on board is hands-on and lively. Students share responsibilities for cooking, cleaning, and looking after the boat, while also taking part in all sailing tasks.

There’s downtime to relax on deck, chat with the group, or enjoy the views. This mix of work and leisure gives a real sense of what it’s like to live and sail on a traditional gaff yawl.

Each day starts with breakfast and an introduction to the day’s sailing activities, such as helming, sail handling, and navigation exercises. Breaks are included for meals and progress reviews, with instruction following the RYA syllabus.

Evenings are used for planning the next day’s route, watch briefings, and practising skills like chart work or ropework. The schedule balances structured learning with time to enjoy life at sea.

The course departs from Plymouth Yacht Haven and sails along the south Devon and Cornwall coast. Routes may include sheltered bays, harbours, and stretches of open water, depending on weather conditions.

This area is ideal for practical seamanship training, with opportunities for coastal and offshore navigation, wildlife spotting, swimming, or short shore visits when conditions allow.

Moosk is a gaff yawl built in 1906, known for her seaworthiness, balance, and handling. Her strong oak frames and teak planking provide a safe platform for learning and practising sailing skills.

Spacious decks allow all participants to take part in sail handling, steering, and ropework, while the comfortable cabins and communal areas below deck offer a supportive and sociable environment for living and learning on board.

Founded in 1973, this registered charity has spent over 50 years helping young people access the life-changing benefits of sailing, regardless of financial or social barriers. Operating a small fleet of traditional sailing vessels from Plymouth, the team provides day sails and residential voyages for young people aged 10–25, with a focus on those facing hardship, disabilities or additional educational needs. On board, participants learn to sail, navigate and passage plan, while also building independence, confidence, teamwork and communication skills. Bursaries are awarded entirely on need, with up to 100% of costs covered to ensure no one is excluded. In addition to youth programmes, the organisation runs RYA training courses, team-building days, and seasonal voyages for independent teenagers and adults, with income supporting its charitable work. With over five decades of experience and the support of donors nationwide, it remains committed to inclusion, opportunity and empowering young people through sailing.