Sunscape offer four solutions for boat handling and sail training:
RYA sailing school courses in Poros, Greece and Marmaris Turkey - a wonderful way to learn to sail
Formal sailing and boat handling tuition on flotilla by our RYA Cruising Instructors in Turkey
Take a skipper on board to show you the ropes and act as a guide, available in all areas
RYA training in the UK– great to built confidence before your holiday – Please call for details
Sunscape Yachting is not a sailing school. Instead we are acting as an agent. Sunscape Yachting is here to find the best course for you at the best training centre for you. Please call us for more information on the RYA schools we work with.
Our partners in Greece operate the Poros Yachting Academy, an RYA recognised training centre, located on Poros island with a range of courses suitable for all abilities, from complete beginners through to Coastal skipper and Yachtmaster.
Learn to Sail in Turkey
In Turkey we can offer several options for Learn to Sail training and RYA formal instruction. Courses are offered at RYA Training centres in Marmaris and Gocek. Also popular is our less formal instruction provided by RYA Cruising Instructors who provide training in a fun and social environment whilst sailing on our flotilla holidays.
All courses are run by English speaking, professionally qualified instructors. Live Aboard courses are on dedicated tuition yachts accommodating up to a maximum of 5 candidates per course. Course fees include: 3 or 6 days tuition and accommodation on board a fully equipped tuition yacht, fuel and water. Live Aboard courses in Greece include breakfast and one light meal daily. In Turkey meals are not included.
Pre Flotilla courses are run to allow you to join a flotilla with the skills you need to have a safe and enjoyable holiday. The short (3 day) course for those who just need a refresher course. The longer (6 day) course for those with little or no experience.
Pre Flotilla (3 Days)
Own Boat Tuition - the course is run on your own charter / flotilla yacht.
This is a refresher course so that you can participate in a flotilla with confidence.
The course includes:
Basic boat handling under power, including "Mediterranean mooring" and anchoring.
Sail handling.
Simple navigation.
An awareness of safety on board.
Any specific area where you need additional sailing training.
The 3 day pre flotilla course is run on boats that have been chartered by you for a flotilla holiday. When possible the course runs following the flotilla, this has the advantage that you will be able to participate in the flotilla social activities. Of course, if you want your training "out of sight" of the other clients that is also possible.
If during the 3 day course your instructor and the flotilla skipper, in discussion with you, agree that you need extra tuition we will endeavour to make an instructor available, this will normally be the instructor you start the course with. You will have two options depending on the amount of additional tuition you need; you can simply have the instructor on board for as many additional days you need, or you can upgrade to our 6 Day Pre Flotilla course.
Pre Flotilla (6 Days)
Own Boat Tuition - the course is run on your own charter/flotilla yacht.
This is more than a refresher course. It is designed to take students with little or no experience to the level that they can participate in a flotilla holiday (non-tidal waters) on their own.
The course includes:
Parts of a boat, her rigging and sails
Ropework, including various knots
Sail trimming
Basic boat handling under power, including "Mediterranean mooring" and anchoring.
Simple navigation
Collision regulations
An awareness of safety on board -
First Aid
Flares
Radio (VHF)
Fire precautions
Man overboard recovery
The 6 day pre flotilla course normally runs on boats that have been chartered by you for a flotilla holiday. When possible the course runs following the current flotilla, this has the advantage that the clients will be able to participate in the flotilla social activities. Of course, if you want to have your training "out of sight" of the other clients on the flotilla that is also possible.
If during the 6 day course your instructor and the flotilla skipper, in discussion with you, agree that you need extra tuition we will endeavour to make an instructor available, this will normally be the instructor you start the course with. You simply have the instructor on board for as many additional days you need.
Recommended reading: RYA Competent Crew handbook (ref. CCPCN), RYA Day Skipper - Shorebased handbook (ref. DSN)
This course will teach you how to be a competent crew member of a cruising yacht. With successful completion of the course you will be able to steer the yacht under sail and power, understand the principles of sailing and points of sail, sail trim, safety routines such as 'man over board', understand knots and rope-work, row a dinghy and generally safely contribute to daily routines. Children over 9 can be awarded a Competent Crew certificate, whilst learning to sail in such an attractive and warm environment is a pleasant holiday in its own right
This is the ideal course for novices and for dinghy sailors who want to start sailing on cruising yachts.
Previous experience required:
None
Recommended reading:
RYA Competent crew handbook (ref CCPCN)
Duration of Course:
6 days
Day Skipper (non-tidal)
This course is for those who already have some sailing experience and knowledge of navigation, and wish to progress to skipper level. The course provides a good foundation for you to safely and confidently skipper a cruising yacht, skipper a flotilla yacht and is recognised by charter companies in Greece and elsewhere.
On this course you will learn to skipper a yacht safely in non-tidal waters. In addition to boat handling and pilotage, the emphasis is on giving you experience of being in charge. You will be asked to skipper the yacht on a short passage, with the instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement. The course also covers preparation of a yacht for sea, yacht handling under sail and power, navigation, pilotage and passage making, rules of the road, emergency situations, meteorology and basic boat maintenance.
As we are in the Mediterranean, you will get plenty of practices in techniques like stern-to ("Med mooring") so you will be able to moor safely and competently and look professional and look professional when you bring your own boat into the quay.
Previous minimum experience:
5 days / 100 miles, including 4 night hours. This experience should have been in the form of active participation in the sailing of a similar sized yacht - ideally a Competent Crew course.
Theoretical knowledge:
RYA Day Skipper Shorebased, or equivalent level from experience/self study. For students requiring additional assistance with areas of the shorebased course some extra tuition can be given but this is no substitute for being properly prepared before you arrive.
Recommended Reading:
RYA Day Skipper-shorebased handbook (Ref DSN), for students who have completed the shorebased course. The Complete Day Skipper (Tom Cunliffe), RYA Navigation handbook (Ref G6) & exercises (ref G7)
Duration of Course:
6 days
Coastal Skipper (non-tidal)
This sailing course is for experienced skippers only. This is an advanced course for those with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation. It is the highest level of non-tidal course under the RYA scheme. You will learn the skills needed to skipper a yacht safely, by day or night, throughout the Mediterranean and other non tidal waters. As well as advanced boat-handling under power and sail, dealing with heavy weather passage planning and pilotage, at least one long night passage will be undertaken.
RYA/MCA Coastal Skipper examinations for those who have successfully completed the practical course and have the appropriate theory certificates can be arranged.
Previous minimum experience:
15 days (2 days as skipper) / 300 miles, including 8 night hours. Ideally you should hold a day skipper certificate.
Theoretical knowledge:
RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased or equivalent. For students requiring additional assistance with areas of the shore based course some extra tuition can be given but this is no substitute for being properly prepared before you arrive.
Many countries require visiting yachtsmen to hold the International Certificate of Competence (ICC). If you are planning to sail or cruise within Europe and the Mediterranean the RYA recommends to hold the International Certificate of Competence.
The ICC is issued for Coastal Waters, Inland Waters, Power Vessels and Sailing Vessels. We can issue an ICC for sailing vessels (coastal & inland waters).
The qualification is available to BRITISH CITIZENS or bona fide BRITISH RESIDENTS.
There are two ways you can obtain an ICC:
By completing an ICC application form and attaching a copy of your practical certificate at Powerboat Level 2, Day Skipper or above. The application form can be obtained from and is returned to the RYA.
By taking a practical test at a RYA Training Centre. The test includes; questions on safety, collision avoidance and for coastal waters navigation and piloting.
Course and Assessment
The course is designed to bring you up to the required standard to pass the assessment. The assessment being carried out on the last day of the course.
Previous minimum experience:
Basic boat handling under power and sail.
Theoretical knowledge:
The "International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea. Basic navigation, including plotting visual and electronic fixes. Tidal heights and tidal streams.
Recommended Reading:
RYA Day Skipper-shorebased handbook (Ref DSN), for students who have completed the shorebased course. The Complete Day Skipper (Tom Cunliffe), RYA Navigation handbook (Ref G6) & exercises (ref G7), RYA European Waterways Regulations (G17)
Duration of Course:
3 days (Greece), 6 days (Turkey)
Assessment
If you feel you have sufficient knowledge and experience to simply take the assessment we can arrange for a one day evaluation.
International Certificate of Competence (ICC) (6 Days)
27th April to 7th June & 14th September to 25th October
£545
£485 (3 days)
£700
£970
08th June to 13th September
£605
£535 (3 days)
£700
£1,030
Competent Crew, Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper (all 6 days)
27th April to 7th June & 14th September to 25th October
£595
£1,035
£700
£1,025
08th June to 13th September
£659
£1,145
£700
£1,125
Sunscape Yachting is not a sailing school. Instead we are acting as an agent. Sunscape Yachting is here to find the best course for you at the best training centre for you. Please call us for more information on the RYA schools we work with.
Own yacht tuition: Prices in £ per yacht (maximum two students; additional students 16 years and over – extra £140 per person) Live aboard school yacht: Prices in £ per person. All prices exclude flights and transfers. Extras: ICC certificate: £25, Competent Crew and Day Skipper certificate: £75. RYA G15 Log Book available from Sunscape at £10 including P&P UK Sail Training: Sunscape can advise on UK providers of both RYA Theory and Prtactical sailing training courses. Prices start from as little as £130 per day - Please call us on 01737 300 805 for details.
Croatia, Sardinia, Sicily, Balearic Islands
In all our sailing areas Sunscape can provide a skipper to sail with you aboard your charter yacht whether on flotilla or cruising independently on Bareboat charter. Their role can be to provide just a helping hand, some local knowledge, a little instruction or to take over completely.
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