RYA Keelboat Sailing

Bridge the gap between small boats and yachts with our keelboat courses

MANY COURSES AVAILABLE

2 day courses and tasters

Ratio: Max 3 persons

Beginners through to experienced

Legacy is a Colgate 26 designed specifically for teaching. She has a large cockpit and can accommodate up to four people.

Keelboats are the largest of the small sailing boats and designed to be sailed by two or more people. They tend to be dryer and more stable than dinghies and multihulls, due to the weighted keel under the hull which reduces the likelihood of the boat capsizing.

Whether you are interested in an experience, taster or refresher or want to sign up for our 2 day RYA courses we can guide you through your complete sailing journey within the wonderful waters of The English Riviera.

Come and enjoy Torbay from the water in a completely different way and see whether sailing is for you !

  • Experiences + Refreshers
    • Join us for an experience, taster and/ or refresher which is suitable for up of 4 people for a half day (3 hours) or a full day (6 hours).
  • RYA Level 1 – Start Sailing
    • This course is a gentle introduction to keelboat sailing, where you will learn to sail in all directions, leaving and returning the marina, and master the skills of tacking and gybing.
  • RYA Level 2 Basic Skills
    • Build on your previous knowledge whilst building confidence and be able to sail a keelboat confidently, on all points of sail, making decisions in good conditions.  You will also learn more about rigging.
  • RYA Level 3 – Better Sailing
    • This course is designed to bridge the gap between Basic Skills and the Advanced Modules, giving you the opportunity to practice techniques introduced at earlier levels and for competent dinghy sailors who want a change of direction.
  • RYA Seamanship Skills
    • An excellent course which is all about boat control, solving problems afloat and becoming a more confident and accomplished sailor.
  • RYA Day Sailing
    • Explore the wonderful English Riviera coastline whilst under sail, it’s a great location to spend time learning basic navigation and the planning skills needed to enjoy a day trip.

 

1 on 1 tuition is available on all the above offerings.

If you don’t see a date to suit below then please get in contact.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age for our sailing courses is 16 years old.

How long is the licence valid?

Your licence will be registered with the RYA so the is always a record, there is no revalidation required.

Can I expect to capsize lots?

Absolutely not.  Keelboats are not the same as a dinghy.  A different design and a weighted keel means they are dryer and much more stable.

  • Lunch money or packed lunch, there are plenty of local places to get a bite
  • Small bag with extra layers, there is storage on the boat
  • Non slip or trainer style shoe
  • Waterproofs/ warm clothes/ dry suits
  • Sun block and hat for those sunny days
  • Wooly hat and gloves for those cooler days

RYA Level 1 - Start Sailing

A 2 day course for complete beginners. Learn how to sail in all directions with an awareness of leaving and coming alongside.

By the end of the 2 days you will be able to sail on all point of sail, master the skill of tacking and gybing in light winds, and able to leave and return the marina under supervision.

  • 2 Day Course
  • £275 per person
  • Learn whilst exploring the whole of Torbay
  • South Devon makes for an incredible setting for any RYA courses.

RYA Level 2 - Basic Skills

A 2 day course to build your confidence and gain the skills needed to sail and make decisions in good conditions. We will cover rigging of the vessel, leaving the shore and building confidence and improved sailing in all directions, including essential safety knowledge.

By the end of the 2 days you will be able to sail a keelboat confidently, on all points of sail, making decisions in good conditions.

  • 2 Day Course
  • £275 per person
  • Sailing skills to be to the standard of Level 1 in a keelboat.

RYA Level 3 - Better Sailing

Improve your sailing, consolidate skills and try new ones in a variety of conditions.

This 2 day course is further coaching to consolidate Level 1 and 2 skills and to enable you to be more confident in sailing skills and techniques.  We will then introduce taster sessions from the advanced modules to ensure you are ready to progress.

  • 2 Day Course
  • £275 per person
  • Sailing skills to be to the standard of Level 2 in a keelboat.

RYA Seamanship Skills

Improve your keelboat handling and manoeuvring skills using a range of seamanship skills in all circumstances. You will learn about leaving and returning to shore in different circumstances, stopping, reducing sail, recovering a man overboard, picking up a mooring and anchoring.

  • 2 Day Course
  • £275 per person
  • Sailing skills to the standard of the Level 3 Better Sailing or Stage 4 as part of a team on a keelboat

RYA Day Sailing

Aimed at sailing further afield we will master passage planning and decision making for going on a day sail in a keelboat.

Prepare and plan a day sail or short journey, undertake the sail in a keelboat, including pilotage tuition.

  • 2 Day Course
  • £275 per person
  • Sailing skills to the standard of the Level 3 Better Sailing or Stage 4 as part of a team on a keelboat

Taster/ Refresher Experience

Our experience taster or refresher is available for up to 4 people and is available as a half day (3 hours) or full day (6 hours) plus lunch break.

A great way to experience Torbay from the water, see if sailing is for you or to practise a particular skill.

Please get in touch to discuss dates.

Title

star rating  A blast from start to finish, sit down, hang on and feel the buzz. Doubt if you’ll ever go faster on the water, if you love speed, this will do... read more

davidmH8901WD
May 3, 2021

star rating  Our family group (of 5) went on the 1-hour rib 'seafari', and I can genuinely say it was the highlight of our trip to Torquay. We were lucky enough to... read more

75abif
September 23, 2021

star rating  Brilliant ride around the bay - the water was flat calm on Sunday 20th August and therefore not too bumpy (which I was pleased about!!).

Grandson aged 11... read more

D4678PLtimb
August 23, 2022