Course and qualification

RYA Keelboat Sailing with Spinnakers

IntermediateAdvancedAfloat

About this course

Everything you need to know to sail a keelboat confidently with conventional or asymmetric spinnakers, including rigging, hosting, gybing and drop. Learn how to rig the boa; Host; Gybe and drop/recover one type of spinnaker; Either conventional or asymmetric; Gaining the knowledge and understanding to sail the best possible course downwind

Course fundamentals

Minimum age	No RYA minimum age · Providers may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s
Duration	Approximately 2 days, 16 hours or equivalent number of sessions
Course content	Learn how to rig the boa; Host; Gybe and drop/recover one type of spinnaker; Either conventional or asymmetric; Gaining the knowledge and understanding to sail the best possible course downwind
Certificate or qualification	The appropriate RYA course completion certificate is awarded following successful completion of the course and its prescribed assessment.
Award type	Course completion certificate
Separate assessment	Not required

Prerequisites

Knowledge or skills to a stated level

Sailing skills to the standard of the Level 3 Better Sailing or Stage as part of a team on a keelboat

Check the official RYA prerequisite information (opens in a new tab)

Recommended course progression

Starting from the beginning

We have not assessed your existing qualifications, knowledge or experience yet, so every step is shown as still to do.

View your course roadmap7 steps · Starts from the beginning

Follow these courses in order to build the course knowledge or certificates described above.

Once you tell us what you already know or hold, we can recognise equivalent knowledge or skills and adjust this route.

Step 1 · To do
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 1
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 1
An introduction to the parts of the boat and the basic principles of how to get a boat sailing. Launching and recovery; Sailing across the wind; Turning around; Steering and…
Age requirement varies by training centre.
Level:Beginner
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 2 · To do
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 2
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 2
Develop the skills needed to sail around a course and understand the basic principles needed to become a confident sailor. Improved sailing skills on all points of sail. Tacking, gybing,…
Age requirement varies by training centre.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 3 · To do
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 3
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 3
Build your confidence and develop the skills needed to sail in different directions in moderate conditions. Improved rigging; Sailing theory; Launching and recovery; Building confidence in a range of sailing…
Age requirement varies by training centre.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 4 · To do
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 4
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Youth Sailing Scheme – Start Sailing Stage 4
Learn how to sail a double-handed boat as crew or helm and solve a variety of problems afloat. Transferring pre-learnt skills; Techniques and manoeuvres to sail crewed boats; Enhance rigging;…
Age requirement varies by training centre.
Level:BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 5 · To do
RYA Keelboat Level 1 – Start Sailing
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Keelboat Level 1 – Start Sailing
A course for complete beginners specific to learning to sail a keelboat, teaching you how to leave and return and sail in all directions. Learn to sail in all directions,…
No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:Beginner
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 6 · To do
RYA Keelboat Level 2 – Basic Skills
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Keelboat Level 2 – Basic Skills
Fine tune the basics, and build confidence increasing knowledge in rigging, sailing on all points and developing essential safety knowledge. Rigging, leaving the shore and building confidence and improved sailing…
No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 7 · To do
RYA Keelboat Level 3 – Better Sailing
RYA schemes:Small Boat Sailing RYA
RYA Keelboat Level 3 – Better Sailing
Improve your keelboat sailing, consolidating skills and trying new ones in a variety of conditions, getting you ready to progress onto the advance modules. Further coaching to consolidate Level 1…
No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course