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AIRLIE BEACH WEATHER

Welcome to Mainstay Sailing Adventures – Your Gateway to the Whitsundays!

Located in the heart of Airlie Beach, Mainstay Sailing is more than just an adventure company – we are an RYA-accredited sailing school dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences on the water. Whether you’re dreaming of earning your stripes as a sailor or simply seeking a breathtaking escape in the Whitsundays, we’ve got you covered.

From private charters to hands-on RYA-certified courses, we cater to sailors of all levels, ensuring you gain confidence, skills, and memories to last a lifetime. Explore the turquoise waters, pristine islands, and vibrant marine life of this tropical paradise with our expert team at the helm.

Are you ready to hoist the sails?

check out our COURSES

Coral Sea Marina to Percy Island

Coral Sea Marina to Percy Island

RYA Coastal Skipper Course: Coral Sea Marina to Percy Island

7 days + 7 night

Percy Island is part of the Northumberland group, 70 nautical miles south-east of Mackay, the Percy Isles are a stunningly beautiful place of shimmering beaches and wooded hilltops - a Robinson Crusoe island rising from the indigo depths of the Coral Sea.

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RYA Start Yachting

RYA Start Yachting

RYA Start Yachting - Whitsundays

2 days + 1 night

This 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.

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RYA Competent Crew Course

RYA Competent Crew Course

RYA Competent Crew Course - Whitsundays

5 days + 5 nights

This 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.

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RYA Dayskipper

RYA Dayskipper

RYA Dayskipper - Whitsundays

5 days + 5 nights

The RYA day skipper practical is for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.

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LATEST REVIEWS

Anthony Wills

Mainstay Sailing is a very well oiled machine that has delivered outstanding customer service, communication and support through my sailing qualification needs. I attended the Competent Crew and the Day Skipper courses over a three week period. Both instructors were extremely personable with beautiful yachts in great material state. The food over both weeks offshore was nothing short of outstanding. Whilst I have been sailing since 11 years of age, this 54 year old guy learned a lifetime of skills over this period. The fact that the course is backed by RYA and that the company is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) was very important to me. If I could offer some constructive criticism, I must say there were some minor gaps in what was delivered in the first week’s practical in comparison to the following week. This was primarily due to the incompatible weather. Regardless, a practical syllabus for all staff to follow will ensure this is issue is addressed. Overall, the period spent with Mainstay has been great fun, rewarding and challenging for me. Thanks Terrence, Nick and Ron.

Elisa Forghieri

5 stars are not enough to rate these guys, Terrence, Nick and Ron are such lovely and caring people!! Learning always in a fun way, 100% recommended!!

Raúl Avilés Poblador

We have done the 1 week RYA Day Skipper pracical course, chartering the Mohawk 40ft just for my wife and myself, with Terence as instructor. From the moment we started booking everything Ron was great. And then our week with Terence was fantastic. Despite lots of rain, he always had a smile in his face and went not an extra mile but 10 extra miles! to make us feel comfortable, looking for the best sheltered anchorages, moorings, and best spots for snorkel (he was a diving instructor too so he knows them all!). He is also a great and patient teacher. And a great cook, I can't emphasize that enough! He is sociable, has great conversation, and a plasure to sail with. We would come back, 100%!

Silvia Ortiz Miñarro

Best course ever, I learned so much. The instructor was very patient, had lots of sailing experience, and was a great cook! I recommend Mainstay for any kind of sailing, great value, lots of joy.

Benjamin Loftus

Terence was very knowledgeable on all things maritime and has a wealth of experience to share. Taking part in this training has motivated me to do more. I would highly recommend Mainstay Sailing for your sail and maritime training needs.

Dmitry Gorshechnikov

Captain Terence is a wealth of knowledge. Definitely huge value for money.

Colin McDonald

Competent Crew/Day Skipper course 20 – 25/10/24. Terrence and Ron went out of their way to make this course a fantastic experience. Everyone was made to feel very welcome and Mohawk was the perfect boat. Terrence customised the itinerary to suit the crew, which meant that we spent a lot of time at isolated locations and did some adventurous sailing – tacking between Hamilton and Dent Islands was a highlight. Terrence is highly experienced and has a way of passing on his knowledge that is both respectful and easy to absorb. He obviously enjoys his work and takes it very seriously. He is also an excellent cook, whipping up a string of delicious meals in trying circumstances. I learnt a lot on this course – everyone got to have a go at pretty well everything and we all learnt from each other’s mistakes. One of the reasons I chose Mainstay is their range of courses. This is one of the few companies that can take you to Yachtmaster level, but even if this is not your goal, the wealth of knowledge and experience on offer will help you to ramp up your sailing skills. The spectacular backdrop of the Whitsundays was an added bonus. Highly recommended!

Samantha Yates

My husband and I completed the Competent Crew course. We have absolutely nothing but praise for the professionalism and way the entire course was run from the first enquiry until the last. Ron and Terrence were so friendly and helpful. Terrence was our instructor on this trip and his knowledge and willingness to teach us as much as possible in a clear and concise way was just what we needed. A thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience. Thank you so much to you both and thanks to the awesome crew we were lucky enough to spend 5 days with. Oh and did I mention the food was fantastic.

Willy de

What an amazing experience, absolutely loved it, I cannot speak highly enough of Terrence and Ron. Not only did I gain the sailing knowledge passed on through Terrence, I got to meet an amazing group of people. Looking forward to coming back in the new year to advance my sailing certification, and for more laughs, great food, beautiful sunsets and amazing people.

Glyn Williams

Five strangers, 40ft yacht, 5 days, strong winds, what can go wrong? It was a fantastic learning experience doing my RYA Dayskipper with them. The Mainstay crew's many years of knowledge shines thru in every aspect of the week. A really professional operation. Oh, and the food, wow, wow, wow. Never eaten so well at sea. Thank you Ron and Terrence.

Anthony Cohen

Fantastic experience! Even though I managed to jam the propellor only 30 seconds after leaving the dock, Terence didn't bat an eye, took control, fixed the problem and never looked back! An amazing Captain, great instructor, awesome chef, and plenty of stories too! We had a great time and learnt so much. Thanks Terence and Ron. We'll be back for our Day Skipper soon!

Martha Furucho
Martha Furucho

I had an amazing time! Terrance is an excellent instructor! And chef!! One of the best experience ever!

More reviews

All RYA Courses

RYA Training (internationally recognised)

Whether you have never been on a yacht, or you just want to learn a bit more, we offer professionally run courses which will give you internationally recognised qualifications.

If you are planning to charter locally or internationally, we can offer courses which will give you the knowledge and ability to make it safe and enjoyable, as well as the certificate to present to the charter company.

Our practical courses are run on “Mohawk” a Bennetau 40.7, which is ideal for training in a safe and comfortable environment. Our training ground is the Whitsunday region in Queensland. All courses are run from our base at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach.

Your instructors are RYA qualified and will ensure your learning experience is fun, and exciting. We adapt the courses to suit all learning styles and personal preferences. The accommodation and food will set the ideal learning environment to ensure that you have a fantastic week with us.

Current course dates

Maritime news

Mainstay Sailing

Only a week ago we took these gentlemen out for a week's sailing on their brand new Bali 4.4 in the Whitsundays.

Mainstay Sailing

Last weeks 7 day Coastal Skipper course to Percy Island.

Mainstay Sailing

One of our students extraordinaire; Jayden Pendleton went bareboating in Greece this year.

Mainstay Sailing

Known to be one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet.

Sailing Adventures: Our RYA Competent Crew Course Experience

Ahoy there, fellow landlubbers and sea enthusiasts alike! Last week, our family embarked on an unforgettable journey.

Mainstay Sailing

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/race/standings

ABOUT US

Meet Terence & Ron – The Faces Behind Mainstay Sailing

At the heart of Mainstay Sailing are two passionate seafarers – Terence Smith and Ron van Schaik – who bring a wealth of experience, a love for adventure, and a deep respect for the ocean to every charter.

Terence is a seasoned skipper with decades of experience on the water. Known for his calm presence, practical knowledge, and deep connection to the Whitsundays, he’s happiest with the wind in his sails and guests onboard discovering the magic of life at sea. With a background in training and marine education, Terence has a knack for making everyone feel capable and confident – whether it’s your first time on a boat or your fiftieth.

Ron brings a unique blend of creativity and precision. A graphic artist by trade and an adventurer at heart. Ron’s attention to detail, and warm sense of humour make him a natural host on board, always ready with local insights or a good laugh.

Together, Terence and Ron have created Mainstay Sailing to share their passion for sailing, the sea, and the unforgettable beauty of the Whitsundays. Whether you’re joining for a day trip or an extended charter, their goal is simple: to give you an experience that feels personal, authentic, and just the right amount of adventurous.

Step aboard, and let’s set sail.


FAQ's

Who is the RYA?

The Royal Yachting Association is the national body for dinghy, yacht and motor cruising, all forms of sail racing, RIBs and sports boats, windsurfing and personal watercraft and a leading representative for inland waterways cruising.

Our internationally renowned training schemes steer 250,000 yacht sailors, power boaters, small craft leisure boaters, windsurfers and canal boaters towards confident and successful boating every year.

So whether your end goal is to spend more quality down time on the water, to travel, to compete, to work, or to advance your career; there’s a course for you.

Our ethos

Our escapades bring you back to the fundamentals of life. Spending a few days on a boat brings out the best in human nature. Living and working together we talk a lot, laugh a lot, and put the world to rights. It is more than an escape from the complexity of life ashore; the fresh air, natural adrenalin and outdoor activity give your body a good physical detox too.

How about vessel deliveries?

We have the knowledge and skills to safely deliver your boat to its new port.

We respect the trust owners place on us. Years of blue water sailing experience has ensured that careful preparation, regular watch keeping and making sure the boat is safe at all times is essential for the safety of the people on board and the yacht.

At the same time we can provide tuition for you and your crew during the planning of the passage and the actual delivery itself. Extra crew can be arranged if required.There are four stages to a delivery exercise – preparation, leaving port, passage making and arrival with debrief

Charters for a couple?

The ultimate getaway for 2! Yacht charters and sailing cruises are one of the best ways to experience beauty of the Whitsundays. Choose from romantic overnight yacht charters for two, sailing cruises with meals and drinks, hands-on sailing trips or something with a touch of luxury. Once out on the glittering waves you'll see why we think yacht charters and sailing cruises are such a treat!

Payments

Payments are taken prior to course or charter start. We have payments plans to make it easier for you.

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