RYA G20Sail · beginner

Start Yachting

A weekend afloat introducing basic sailing skills, safety, and life aboard a cruising yacht. No prior experience required.

Read the guide: RYA Competent Crew: your first step into sailing

New to the terminology?

Syllabus Highlights

4 sections · 5 topics · 151 outcomes

Key topics & assessment areas

Knowledge of Sea Terms and Parts of a Boat3
Sail Handling4
Ropework2
Safety on Board3

Full RYA syllabus →Shareable preview page →

Prerequisite Knowledge

Before you book

No prior experience required. This course is suitable for complete beginners.

Level · beginner

Where we run it

Available locations

Fornells, Menorca
Menorca
RCMB, Barcelona
Barcelona

See scheduled dates →

Enrollment

Enroll on Start Yachting

Enrolling creates your course record so you can follow the syllabus, access course materials, track competencies and book practical sessions when dates suit you.

Delivered by Mt Sail & Power. Questions before you start? sail@mtsail.com

Course Content

What you'll cover

Welcome aboard & boat familiarisation

3 lessonsOpen

Parts of the yacht, safety brief and life aboard.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Ropework and safe line handling

3 lessonsOpen

Essential knots, cleating and taking a turn safely.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Sail handling as crew

3 lessonsOpen

Hoisting, trimming, reefing and stowing sail.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Helming and boat handling under power

3 lessonsOpen

Steering to a course, engine basics and berthing awareness.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Safety, man overboard and next steps

Video3 lessonsOpen

MOB awareness, emergency equipment and where you go next.

Watch — training videos

Man overboard crew training: Prevent, Practise, Prepare
RYA guidance on preventing a man overboard and preparing the whole crew to respond.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

RYA Syllabus

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of Sea Terms and Parts of a Boat

3 outcomes

Boat & rig terminology3

1.1aNames the main parts of a yacht and rigging
1.1bIdentifies sails and their controls
1.1cUses correct terms for direction and points of sail

Sail Handling

4 outcomes

Setting and handing sails2

2.1aHoists, sets and lowers mainsail and headsail
2.1bReefs sails under instruction

Basic boat handling under sail2

2.2aSteers a compass course and by the wind
2.2bTacks and gybes the yacht

Ropework

2 outcomes

Knots2

3.1aTies figure-of-eight, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, clove hitch, reef knot
3.1bHandles and coils a rope safely

Safety on Board

3 outcomes

Personal safety3

4.1aWears a lifejacket correctly and knows when to wear one
4.1bUnderstands the safety brief and location of safety equipment
4.1cResponds appropriately to a man overboard alarm

Upcoming Sessions

Book your place

No sessions are currently scheduled. Contact us at sail@mtsail.com to request one.

Watch & explore

Training videos

Essential Navigation and Seamanship: course taster
A taste of the RYA online navigation course.
A look inside the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship online course.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Videos produced by the Royal Yachting Association.