RYA Sailing Courses on wonderful gaff cutters

"Learning to sail should be on everybody's list of things to do in a lifetime"
Nikki. Competent crew student and editor of Cornwall Today

A Unique Sailing School

Classic Sailing School in Cornwall is a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Recognised Training Centre offering practical RYA sailing lessons and courses like Competent Crew, Day Skipper, and exam preparation courses for Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate (used to be called Coastal Skipper) and Yachtmaster Offshore on gaff rigged wooden boats. We also run RYA theory courses you can do at home through distance learning so you can use your precious leave for more important things like getting out on the water.

Classic Sailing also have a great selection on mini 'courses' where you can learn maritime subjects and practical skills whilst on a sailing holiday from photography to setting stun'sails or advanced lugger sailing techniques.

RYA Courses With Classic Sailing - 10 Page Colour Brochure (see inset photo right)

RYA Sailing Schedules - dates and prices

Three traditional boats make learning to sail easy.

'Eve of St Mawes', traditionally built in 1997 and based in the seafaring village of St Mawes near Falmouth. Eve has easy access to the South Cornish Coast with infinite variety of sailing destinations. On her doorstep are unspoilt coves, wooded creeks, wild and windy headlands and tiny harbours steeped in history.

Join a RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper Practical course on Eve in Cornwall, courses throughout the year. Following the 1st successful RYA Yachtmaster Preparation Course and exam on Eve in 2012 we are pleased to be running the same course in 2013 on our classic boat with highly experienced yachtmaster instructor James MacKenzie.

Golden Vanity

We will also be offering Competent Crew and Day skipper Practical courses on Golden Vanity operating an RYA sailing school in Devon.  Golden Vanity has quite a history and has taken thousands of people sailing since she was built in 1904.  She is gaff rigged like Eve, but has her own very charming character.

Annabel J

For the first time in the Solent you can do a RYA Competent Crew or Watch Leader course on a real gaff sailing boat. Annabel J is a replica of a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter and has as an elegant mahogany interior. Phil the skipper has been sailing Annabel J in all the best places in the Solent and along the South Coast of Hampshire and Dorset.

Why Boats with Bowsprits are Better

The voyages are 6 or 7 days long rather than the minimum 5 days so you have more time to enjoy sailing a classic boat. The skills you learn combine traditional seamanship with modern technology like radar and GPS, with the added bonus of a holiday on a beautiful boat.

The advantages of sailing onboard a traditional boat are many fold:
Deep keeled gaff cutters are great for beginner which gives them a sea kindly motion, un-cluttered decks and high sides so you can walk safely down the deck without sidestepping down a narrow strip of plastic deck.

All the ropes are in the open so you can see were they go and what they do, nothing is hidden in masts and booms. Without the mechanical advantage of winches you are more aware of the forces of nature and working as a team builds friendships and adds to the pleasure. Why fight nature when you can harness it in safe traditional ways.

For skippers, the stable motion of a deep keeled vessel and a large chart table makes learning to navigate a lot easier than on many modern vessels. Manoeuvring under power you learn how to glide effortlessly and gently to a pontoon or quay.

Success aboard cutters comes with a sense of achievement unmatched on a modern yacht. Your colours fly just that little bit higher.

Classic Sailing can also offer the following:

• sailing lessons and tuition on all our vessels as part of your holiday

• Gaff rig master classes and racing – big boat handling under sail

• Pure wind power voyages on Eve - aiming not to use the engine

• Learn to sail a lugger courses - some courses with racing events

• Square rig training from basic bracing to setting stun'sails

• Over 60 mile passages for your Yachtmaster Offshore qualifying experience

• Over 600 mile ocean passages for astro nav / ocean yachtmaster - ask us, as you have to be a watch keeper

• Mates Training and voluntary mate berths on Eve

• MCA / STCW 95 Eligible sea time for super yachts and tall ships

• Advice on Super Yacht / Sail Training Professional Career Path- from Yacht Rating - Officer of the Watch - Chief Mate - up to Master (yacht 3000 ton)

RYA Learning the ropes

"You are more aware of the forces of nature and how you must work with the wind rather than fight it"

RYA Competent Crew Course

Best for beginners covering the basics of sailing theory, rope and sail handling safety and knot work. Step aboard any vessel and become a useful part of the crew.
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RYA Watch Leader Course

This a practical course for those wishing to run a watch on deck of a sail training vessel. ie all Classic Sailing's fleet. Assumed knowledge is navigational theory up to Day Skipper Theory and a basic sailing ability. Watch Leader Course Schedules

RYA Day Skipper Practical

Are you hungry for command? This programme teaches skippering skills and the practical application of navigation theory. With the support of your instructor, you take charge of Eve for short passages.
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RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Yachtmaster Offshore

Prep Course & optional MCA exam

6 days of intensive tuition on eve before you take your exam at the end of the week.  Pre exam requirements MORE DETAILS

RYA Long Distance Theory Courses

You choose the course, the location, the duration and when you take the exam. 

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