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Adult Keelboat Training

The Australian Sailing Keelboat Scheme is an exciting development for sailing in Australia and offers the perfect Adult Learn to Sail introduction to the sport. It provides a fun and accessible entry into sailing and gives participants the opportunity to improve and develop advanced skills and techniques. It is ideal for those wishing to learn to sail but are not interested in capsizing or going for a swim! The Scheme is broken up into five courses that you can progress through to achieve your personal goals. Each unit involves 12 hours of tuition and covers both theory and practical, with the emphasis being on practical “Time on Water”. The Royal Yacht Club of Victoria was the second club in Australia to be accredited by Australian Sailing (formerly Yachting Australia) to run this scheme and, as such, we are able to offer the courses below. We run these courses with a ratio of three students to one instructor, so everyone gets plenty of time to develop the three main skills of sailing; helming, main sheet and headsail trim.

The courses are generally run over two 6 hour sessions and can be over one weekend, successive weekends or during the week. However, we have the ability to tailor these times to suit you, so if you have a group of two or three people who would like to learn, or advance their sailing skills, then please contact us to tailor a program that suits you.

Contact our Sail Training & Development Manager, Ian Fox at on (03) 9397 1277 or at training@rycv.asn.au for dates, further information and to enrol in any of the courses below. If you are confident that you know which course is right for you, online enrolment is available by clicking on the date of the course that you are interested in attending. 

Gift Vouchers

Gift Vouchers are available for both Discover Sailing Experiences and Keelboat Courses.  Please click the link below.

 Gift Vouchers

 How to register for an Australian Sailing course at RYCV…

To register for all sailing courses at RYCV, you will need an Australian Sailing number. This is your unique identifier that recognises you as a member and/or course participant. If you already have an Australian Sailing number, you can look it up here. If you do not have one, then there is an option to Sign Up for an Australian Sailing number when registering for a course or Discover Sailing experience for the first time (follow the links via course registration).   There is no charge to get an Australian Sailing number.

Once registered, you will receive a number, a username and an online profile. The benefits of this include being able to enrol in any national sailing courses, register for a ‘SailPass’, and to keep a record of your memberships, courses and qualifications. 

 

New training vessel 2023

3 HR DISCOVER SAILING EXPERIENCE

The 3hr Discover Sailing Experience is a chance to dip your toe in the water and discover the sport of sailing.  You will head out for a 3 hr session under the supervision of one of our Australian Sailing accredited instructors.  While the Discover Sailing Experience is not a training course you will be given a safety briefing and will be actively involved in sailing the vessel.  After your session you will have the opportunity to return to the Club Bar for a debrief and a complimentary drink.  If we don’t have a date listed that suits, please contact us as we are able to schedule courses as required.

Duration: 3hrs

Cost: $120

Dates:

2024

 

 

Sat 16th Mar 2024 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Sun 7th April 2024 3:30pm – 6:30pm

Sat 13th April 2024 3:30 – 6:30pm

 

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START  CREWING

The Start Crewing course is the first of the Australian Sailing Keelboat Courses and is best place to start if you haven’t tried sailing before, or if you’re looking to refresh your crewing skills after a break from the sport.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

At the end of this course you will have a basic understanding of:

  • safety equipment and practices (including man overboard as crew)
  • sailing terminology and parts of a boat
  • how to rig a boat
  • basic knots
  • wind and weather
  • how to tack and gybe (turn) a boat
  • how to trim (adjust) sails
  • basic rules of the road
Duration: Two 6hr sessions.

Cost: $310 for RYCV members | $340 for non-members


START HELMING

The Start Helming is the second of the Australian Sailing Keelboat Training courses and builds on all the skills learnt in Start Crewing. This course takes these skills to a higher level as well as introduces some more advanced techniques and gives the participant the skills needed to confidently take control of the helm. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

At the end of this course you will have a basic understanding of:

  • rigging the boat unaided
  • helming the boat around a triangle course
  • anchoring
  • general and racing rules of the road
  • how heel and sail trim effect helming
  • recover person overboard while helming
  • weather forecasts
  • reduce sail while underway
Duration: Two 6hr sessions.

Cost: $310 for RYCV members | $340 for non-members


KEELBOAT SPINNAKER

Once you have a good understanding of the roles on a keelboat (i.e. crewing and helming) you can start to fine tune your skills and learn how to use a spinnaker effectively.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

At the end of this course you will know how to:

  • hoist and drop a spinnaker
  • trim a spinnaker effectively
  • gybe a spinnaker
  • pack spinnakers

The course includes instruction for asymmetrical spinnakers only.

 

Duration: Two full-day sessions, spread over two weeks. 

Cost: $310 for RYCV members | $340 for non-members

 


START  RACING

The Start Racing course is perfect for individuals who have a reasonable understanding of sailing and would like learn or fine tune their racing skills.

 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

At the end of this course you will have an understanding of:

  • race structure
  • racing rules
  • advanced sail trim
  • boat equipment
  • balance
Duration: Two full-day sessions, spread over two weeks. 

Cost: $310 for RYCV members | $340 for non-members

Dates: Please contact the office for upcoming dates.


KEELBOAT SEAMANSHIP

This course aims to equip participants with advanced sailing and boat handling techniques which will enable them to skipper a small yacht in sheltered waters and light conditions.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

At the end of this course you will have an understanding of:

  • assessing risks on board and how to avoid them
  • handling a boat in confined areas under sail
  • coming alongside a jetty under sail
  • interpreting charts
  • sailing backwards
  • sailing without a tiller
  • basic maintenance
  • different properties and care of synthetic ropes
Duration: Two full-day sessions, spread over two weeks. 

Cost: $310 for RYCV members | $340 for non-members

Dates: Please contact the office for upcoming dates.

 

 

Have a question?

You can find out more about trying sailing by contacting our Sail Training Development Manager on (03) 9397 1277 or by email.

Contact us