The Start Yachting Practical Course
This two-day course provides a short introduction to sail cruising for novices. By the end of the course you will have experienced steering a yacht, sail handling, ropework and be aware of safety on board.

The Competent Crew Course
This course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers. By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines on board. The minimum course duration is five days, but at New Horizon Sailing it will more commonly be over six days. If you have previously completed the Start Yachting course, the Competent Crew course can be completed in three or four days.

The Day Skipper Practical Sail Cruising Course
This course gives you the chance to take charge on short passages under instruction. You will concentrate on pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation. The course can be taken in tidal or non-tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly. New Horizon Sailing offers Tidal courses only and normally over six days.

The Coastal Skipper Practical Sail Cruising Course
This is an advanced skippering course for those who have considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation, wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night. Each trainee will skipper more challenging passages and learn more about passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling, safety and emergency situations. The course can be taken in tidal or non-tidal waters and your certificate will be endorsed accordingly. New Horizon Sailing offers Tidal courses only and normally over six days or possibly three weekends.

“A lovely atmosphere on board and training well matched to our different sailing experience. Many thanks for a really excellent week.”
Chris (Day Skipper)

We know that there are many other RYA Training Centres both within and outside the UK and that you must have good reason to choose us.

• Courses are conducted on yachts which offer a level of comfort, quality, character and equipment which is substantially higher than can be found in almost all other Training Centres.
• Courses are run on Stormdancer and Brandy of Troon in Scotland, and Magritte in Scotland and Norway i.e. in areas considered amongst the most rewarding and scenic sailing areas in the world.
• Courses are delivered by experienced and mature Instructors who know their yachts and the area and want you to not only succeed but also to have a great time aboard.
• Courses are often over six, rather than the standard five, days. This gives you time not only to repeat and practice, but also to enjoy the area and the yacht.
• Certain dates in the Programme are dedicated to RYA Practical training which allows for individuals and small groups to come along with similar interests and enjoy good company, good food and great sailing.
• But you don’t have to leave friends and family at home when you take your course. Many participants are part of a group or family chartering the whole boat. With quality boats in these sailing areas and with experienced Instructors and hosts aboard, it means that everybody can enjoy a wonderful holiday even if only one or two of the group are receiving formal RYA tuition.

Please click on the yacht name to find RYA Practical Training Course and dates and locations:

“Far exceeded my expectations”
Julian A, Day Skipper, Skipton UK

“We had a really brilliant time and would like to thank you for being such a patient and helpful teacher.”
Alex R, Beginner, Leeds UK

Milebuilder programmes are designed for people who want to learn new skills, enjoy covering long distances and/or want to build their logbook miles and “qualifying passages” working towards their RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster qualification.
The RYA requires that candidates for Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster have accumulated an appropriate level of sea time.
For Coastal Skipper this is thirty days, of which two as skipper, 800 miles and twelve night hours.
For Yachtmaster Offshore it is 50 days, of which five as skipper, 2500 miles, five passages over 60 miles including two overnight and two as skipper.
Our Sailing Areas are ideal for both long passage making and for practising good boat handling.
Depending on your current experience, you will be given the opportunity to prepare passage plans as well as skipper the yacht, including on overnight passages.
On a milebuilder programme it will be the tides and the weather which dictate the daily routine and this may limit time ashore.
Both Stormdancer and Magritte provide an ideal platform for long passage making with their displacement hulls, good levels of equipment, practical galleys, central heating etc.

Please go to the Programme page for Milebuilder and Explorer dates

“I have to say I thought it was pretty spot on, also considering the fact that all of us hadn't sailed together before and didn't know each other”
Andrew (Milebuilder)