RYA Competent Crew

Become an active crew member — not just a passenger.

Who this course is for

Designed for beginners and those with limited experience, the RYA Competent Crew course teaches you how to function as an active, capable crew member on a cruising yacht. You’ll learn by doing — steering, handling sails, managing lines, keeping watch, and taking part in the day-to-day operation of the boat. No previous sailing experience is required, making this course ideal whether you’re completely new, have sailed a little but want real understanding, regularly sail with friends or family, or are building a solid foundation toward RYA Day Skipper.

What you’ll learn whilst living onboard

This course is all about learning by doing. You’ll be actively involved in sailing the boat — steering, helping with the sails, handling ropes, keeping a lookout, and understanding how everything works onboard. You’ll learn how to sail safely, work as part of a crew, deal with common situations at sea, and make good decisions based on the weather and conditions, with the focus firmly on real, hands-on sailing rather than classroom learning.

A key part of Competent Crew is also learning how cruising yachts operate day to day. You’ll become comfortable with sailing terminology, the parts of the boat, living onboard safely, watch systems, personal safety equipment and emergency procedures. These practical details are what turn uncertainty into confidence and help you feel at home onboard.

3 ways to complete RYA Competent Crew with SCY – course formats

The RYA designed the Competent Crew course as five full days of training. How you complete those five days is flexible, provided all required time onboard is completed. The learning outcomes and certification are the same.

5-Day Liveaboard – 9am, day 1 until 4pm on day 5

The original design and most immersive RYA format!
Living onboard for the full week allows skills to build naturally, with daily sailing, repetition, and continuity. For those who can take the time off work, this is the most immersive and effective way to complete RYA Competent Crew.  Strongly recommended!

$2550/person inc GST & meals onboard (excluding 1 crew meal ashore) or $2450/person when booking for 2-4 people OR $2400/weekend/person when booking 5 people

3-Day + 2-Day

The most time-efficient option for those that can’t take many days off work!
The three-day plus two-day format is the most efficient alternative to completing three separate weekends and can be completed in any order.

This option combines one three-day liveaboard, typically running from Saturday morning through to Monday afternoon, with one standard two-day weekend. You still complete the full five days required for certification, but with fewer separate bookings and better continuity between training blocks.  Many students find this format allows skills to develop faster, as there is less time between sessions and more opportunity to consolidate learning. It’s a popular choice for people balancing work, family, and travel, while still wanting a more immersive sailing experience than three separate weekends.

$1700/3-day pp OR $1770 if falling on a public holiday long-weekend + a weekend.

3 × 2-Day Weekends

The three-weekend format suits those who are unable to commit to longer blocks of time.
Training is delivered over three separate weekends, running from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. All three weekends must be completed to gain certification. Weekends do not need to be consecutive, however completing the course within six months is strongly recommended so skills remain fresh.

While this format runs across three weekends, it effectively requires six days onboard due to essential start and end procedures such as safety briefings, settling onboard, food onboarding and clean-up, resulting in less uninterrupted sailing time than the five-day or three-day plus two-day formats.

$900/weekend/person  OR  $850/weekend/person when booking for 2-4 people OR $800/weekend/person when booking 5 people

What’s included

Your course includes the RYA Competent Crew eBook and logbook, practical instruction from experienced RYA instructors, training aboard our well-maintained cruising yachts and certificate (if awarded).

If you have previously completed RYA Start Yachting, you may be eligible to complete Competent Crew in a reduced timeframe. Please contact us to discuss your options.

Cabin sharing may be required, particularly during peak periods.

Useful Links
Packing list
General Joining Instructions – Brisbane, QLD:  2 & 3 day weekends
General Joining Instructions – Brisbane, QLD:  5-day course