RYA Sail Cruising courses 2025
RYA Sail cruising courses available from April until mid October 2025.
2025 course candidate feedback
Day Skipper July 2025 - 'Debbie was patient and considerate, taking time to help everyone on the 2 different courses. Thank you.' 'Instruction really good and course enjoyable, thanks.' 'Communication was always clear and we were given a good amount of trust. The boat was clean comfortable, well equipped and organised, Food was good quality, tasted good, plenty and spare was bought when needed. Great week, built up loads of new skills, particular highlight was the trust when bringing on to pontoons.' 'Debbie has been really clear and instructive, keeping it simple! and gradually introducing more complex skills, knowledgeable.' Many thanks for a great week of instruction and sailing.'
Day Skipper June 2025 - 'Clear, calm, gentle but firm instructing, and kind. Left enough room for us to learn independence. I'll recommend you to others :)' 'Clear instruction delivered by Debbie in a friendly style, at a level appropriate to the student and repeated/reinforced whenever necessary. Debbie exudes complete confidence and unflappability (and I did test this!) aboard Alcuin. This was very reassuring and made for a relaxed atmosphere amongst the crew. Food excellent. Great quality, variety and quantity.' 'Debbie’s knowledge and teaching style is excellent. She really brought all of us on and played to our
strengths. Debbie listened to our ideas and was always willing to take these on board. Having done the Day Skipper theory first was very helpful. Really great catering - well done Chris. I really enjoyed the course - thank you so much.' 'An uplifting memorable experience. Confident, knowledgeable explanations for all levels of experience, patience and calmness in all situations.'
Day Skipper April 2025 - 'Thankyou Debbie and Glencoe, great course, I learned a lot and its set me up for coastal skipper goal. Debbie is very adaptable, energetic and passionate to teach.' 'Very clear instructions, Debbie allowed us to work things out for ourselves and was more than happy to explain if we didn't understand anything.' ' Debbie is very empowering and very patient, very clear instructions for the week. Made sure we all had sufficient practice time but left us to decide for ourselves which is great.
never ate so well on a boat, really lovey that it was prepared and only had to be reheated.'
2024 course candidate feedback
Coastal Skipper April 2024 - 'Debbie is one of the best instructors I've ever had the privilege of spending time with. Empathetic but really on the ball when the going got tough. I basically think you nailed it - Debbie is at the top of her game. Lovely boat, very spacious and handled well even in the extreme conditions. Excellent meals with no preparation required meaning all time was spent learning'. 'Debbie was patient, knowledgeable and took the time to go through a learning point'.
Day Skipper June 2024 'Debbie is extremely experienced, willing to discuss and debate etc. Really great week. Much more adventure then expected, which really made the difference'.
'Excellent course methodical and just the right depth of information at correct intervals'.
'Debbie is very informative and trusting. Provided lots of good tips and tricks. I did not feel judged or worried if I made mistakes, I felt very empowered by her teaching style. Thank you for an amazing course and experience. Thank you for trusting me with your boat. I really enjoyed our week long tour of Scotland and have learnt tonnes and tonnes. Hopefully see you for Coastal Skipper :)'
Day Skipper August 2024 'Debbie was great – knowledgeable, experienced, able to give constructive feedback, and open to others’ ideas'. Very clear, calm, bags of common sense & happy to repeat points over time so they are embedded.' Debbie was always positive, cheerful and happy to answer questions.' 'Overall 5*, challenging and fun (even in the rain!). Great mix of people'
Day Skipper September 2024 'Excellent course, well paced, great teacher, learnt a lot.' 'Really had a good week :)' 'Engaged, clear, excellent course has enthused our motivation further.' 'Many thanks Debbie for all the excellent instruction, demos, explanations and patience.'
Glencoe Outdoor Centre is an RYA Recognised Training Centre
We offer comprehensive RYA training and qualifications. Whether you have never set foot on a yacht or dream of skippering your own yacht, we can help you take the next step
Why book your RYA sail cruising course with Glencoe Outdoor Centre?
The spectacular sailing environment of the West coast of Scotland is unrivalled; Meals are fabulous; Well maintained yacht; Highly-qualified and experienced instructors.
Introductory sailing skills or skills development leading to RYA certification which can set you up to charter your own sailing boat.
Debbie Williams Principal and Chief Instructor of our school is an RYA Yacht Master Instructor with commercial endorsement.
Our vessel is 'Alcuin', a Westerly Oceanranger 38 based at Dunstaffnage marina, just north of Oban.
RYA Practical cruising courses: RYA Competent Crew; RYA Day Skipper; RYA Coastal Skipper and RYA Yacht Master Coastal/Off-Shore preparation course.
RYA Shore based courses: RYA Day Skipper/Watch Leader theory; RYA Coastal Skipper/ RYA Yacht Master Off-Shore theory.
RYA Competent Crew
A 5 day certificated residential on yacht course introducing the complete beginner to cruising. The skills you learn will equip you to be a useful member of the crew of a cruising yacht. Minimum age 12 years (minimum unaccompanied 16 years).
RYA Day Skipper
A 5 day certificated residential on yacht course during which you will learn the skills required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in waters which you are familiar. Minimum age is 16 years.
RYA Coastal Skipper
A 5 day certificated residential on yacht course during which you will learn the skills required to skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night. Minimum age is 17 years.
Candidates for Competent Crew courses may complete their training alongside either Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper courses.
2025 Dates: Availability: Prices:
6 - 11 April Completed £845 Day Skipper & Comp Crew
15 - 20 June Completed £845 Day Skipper & Comp Crew
13 - 18 July Completed £845 Day Skipper & Comp Crew
17 - 22 August Fully booked £845 Coastal Skipper & Comp Crew
16 - 21 September 2 places £845 Day Skipper & Comp Crew
12 - 17 October Fully booked £795 Day Skipper & Comp Crew
RYA Day Skipper/Watch Leader Theory
A 6 day certificated shore based course. The syllabus for this course covers the following: seamanship, coastal navigation and pilotage, chart work, electronic charts, position fixing, plotting a course to steer, weather forecasting and meteorology, tides, collision regulations.
The RYA describe the anticipated ability of the student following the course as follows: "possess the background knowledge to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day".
Day Skipper/Watch Leader Theory: (6 days)
16th-18th January and 6th-8th February 2026 £395
Residential option available
RYA Coastal Skipper/Yacht Master off-shore theory
A 6 day certificated shore-based course. Advanced training for more experienced skippers building on the Day Skipper course. This course equips you to navigate safely on coastal and offshore passages. This course will take your theory knowledge to the standard required for the Yachtmaster™ Coastal and Yachtmaster™ Offshore practical exams, concentrating on advanced navigation and meteorology skills.
Please enquire for availability
Prefer to study via an on-line RYA theory course? Contact Ardent Training based in Tobermory. Ed and Charly Hewitt run their RYA courses from their boat Mipha in Tobermory harbour.
Prices based up on a maximum of 5 students sharing a 38' Westerly Ocean Ranger
What's included?
5 days & nights aboard the yacht
Tuition from an RYA instructor
Fully catered - delicious meals prepared.
All fuel and marina fees
You will be allocated a berth upon our school yacht and should be aware that you will be sharing the yacht with other students. The maximum ratio of participants to instructor will be 5:1.
You will be asked to complete an application form prior to confirming your booking to ensure that you meet the course pre-requisites / recommended pre-course experience.
Learn with family and friends
If you and your family or friends wish to book the whole boat and a private instructor, this can be arranged. Call us for details.
What we can organise for you that is not included in the course price:
Towels & bed linen
RYA log book and handbook
Waterproof hire
RYA theory courses
A £200 deposit is required for our RYA 5 day courses. The balance of fees is payable 2 months prior to course start date or immediately if booking at less than 2 months notice.
RYA Yachtmaster off-shore exam preparation course
Pre exam preparation and coaching for those looking to take an RYA Yachtmaster exam at Coastal or Offshore level. Please contact us to arrange a bespoke course.
To enquire about any of our RYA Sail Cruising courses please email office@glencoeoutdoorcentre.org.uk
or call us on 01855 811350
