Learn to Sail in New Zealand
with BaySail NZ

RYA accredited sailing courses

Sailing School in New Zealand


Explore the sea - learn to sail with a group of likeminded people in one of the worlds foremost cruising grounds.

BaySail NZ is a practical Sailing School running the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) courses, Start Yachting, Competent Crew, Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper onboard our 40' yacht She's A Lady.

Great learn-to-sail spot

The Bay of Islands is a perfect base, with sheltered around the island sailing, to challenging and stunning coastal passages. Ideal whether you are a complete beginner, who wants to get a taste for sailing, on-the-water life and the opportunity to explore an amazing cruising ground, through to those of you wanting to focus on developing your boat handling, navigation, skippering and general seamanship skills. Our aim, whatever your ability, is to introduce you to a range of techniques and teach skills that may otherwise take years to learn without instruction. Thereby making sailing more enjoyable, and giving you confidence in your ability to crew or skipper a yacht.

RYA Accredited Sailing School

RYA Course Completion Certificates and Certificates of Competency are internationally recognised and accepted by most charter companies worldwide. You can gain the RYA/MCA commercial qualifications further down the track once you complete your Coastal Skipper, Offshore and Ocean Yachtmaster Examinations, which leads on from the practical courses we offer. All our instructors are fully RYA qualified and vastly experienced in coastal and ocean sailing, enthusiatic and very keen to pass on their knowledge.

Become a skipper

Courses are for 5 days and liveaboard for the duration, with the exception of Start Yachting (2 days, less miles). We aim to cover at least 100 miles which includes one night sail of 4-5 hours during this time. All meals are provided on board and you can relax after a satisfying day at sea with a cold one. The yacht is fully equipped for offshore conditions including full harness inflatable life jackets, for your safety and comfort. Courses are currently held in March, April, May, June and from mid August until the begining of October and subject to demand. Certificates are awarded on the successful completion of each course and applicable to the level of competency achieved for your particular course.

Sailing courses

• • RYA Start Yachting Course
• • RYA Competent Crew Course
• • RYA Day Skipper Course
• • RYA Coastal Skipper Course

The aim of the RYA Sail Cruising and RYA Yachtmaster Scheme is to encourage high standards of seamanship and navigation. The practical sailing courses give you the opportunity to receive expert instruction and advance you to a level of seamanship in 5 days which may otherwise take years to achieve. The Sail Cruising Scheme courses can be entered at any stage according to your knowledge and experience; there is no need to start at beginners level. You can enjoy them to simply increase your knowledge and confidence , or use them as a progression to the RYA/MCA Certificates of Competence, which are recognised by maritime authorities world wide.

Start Yachting

The RYA Start Yachting course - this two-day course introduces the novice to the world of sail cruising and best suited to people who have never experienced being out on a yacht for a few days. By the end of the course participants will get to know the basics of sailing, learn the boat from one end to the other, sailing the yacht on all points of sail, handling under power, assist with docking, tying some useful knots, get to know rules of the road, a little meteorology, emergency situations, including man overboard recovery and understand the importance of safety. Holders of a Start Yachting Certificate can obtain a Competent Crew Certificate by completing a further 3 days of the Competent Crew Course.

Competent Crew

The RYA Competent Crew course - this course is for beginners and those who have had a previous brief introduction to sailing and would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers. At the conclusion of the course you should be able to take the helm, trim and handle sails, keep a lookout, assist in emergency situations with knowledge of fire fighting, using distress flares, know rules of the road on the sea, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines of life onboard a cruising yacht. Plus you should be able to make a great cup of coffee! The 5 day course takes you to the required level of seamanship and helmsmanship to be a useful member of the crew.

Day Skipper Practical

The RYA Day Skipper course - this five-day course will take you to the level where you can skipper a small yacht on short passages by day and be in charge and responsible for the safety of your crew. You will be instructed on boat handling under power and sail, deck work, navigation, seamanship, meteorology, rules of the road, engines, maintenance, pilotage, emergency situations and passage making. In 5 days you will gain the knowledge and experience that may otherwise take a number of years to obtain without expert instruction and the confidence to take on the challenge of being a skipper for friend and family.

Coastal Skipper Practical

The RYA Coastal Skipper course - a five-day advanced course for those skippers wanting to undertake coastal voyages by day and night. You will skipper more challenging passages and it is assumed trainees attending this course will be competent sailors with a good knowledge of the theory of navigation and meteorology. You will learn more about passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, including preparation for adverse weather conditions, safety and emergency situations. There is not sufficient time during the course to instruct the basic skills of seamanship and navigation, as well as teach how these skills should be applied by the skipper of a yacht. You will be instructed and assessed on your ability to take charge of a yacht and direct and organise the crew for a yacht on a coastal passage.

→ Go to Baysail NZ website to find out more and enquire about sailing courses and dates

NOTE

After a successful course you will be awarded a Course Completion Certificate.
An RYA/MCA Certificate of Competence for Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Offshore and Yachtmaster Ocean can be gained by examination conducted by RYA Yachtmaster examiners who are independant of sailing schools. We can offer exam preparation tuition and then arrange for the Certificate of Competence examination at the conclusion of your prep course.
To obtain a MCA commercial endorsement you will also need to have a medical fitness certificate and attend a basic sea survival course.
An RYA/MCA Certificate of Competence is recognised by maritime authorities throughout the world and is often one of the required qualification options for professional skippers.

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