RYA Coastal Skipper Course: Coral Sea Marina to Percy Island

7 days + 7 night

This RYA accredited, 7 Day practical sailing course starts and finishes at Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach.

The first night is spent on board in the marina, ready for an early start the next morning.

We head offshore to Thomas Island or Goldsmith Island and anchor overnight. Some say this is a South Seas Paradise! The next day we aim for Mackay Marina and stay overnight. At daybreak we head for Percy Island and explore the island and find a sheltered anchorage at Middle Island. 

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. Although only a day or two's sail from the southern Whitsunday islands, the islands are rarely visited except by cruising yachts and has never been exposed to tourism.

This exciting course allows you many offshore miles and night sailing as well as night navigation. You will be required to plan the passage, provision the boat and manage the crew.

The yacht has 8 berths, two double aft cabins, two berths in the saloon, and a double berth in the forepeak (usually skipper / instructor's cabin)

All meals are included, except when we over-night in Mackay where the crew go out for a meal.

Previous Experience Required for Coastal Skipper - 15 days sea time (2 days as Skipper), 300 miles and 8-night hours. Navigation to Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Shorebased or equivalent and sailing ability to Dayskipper practical standard. The minimum age for award of the certificate is 17.

The aim of this course is to teach the skills and techniques required to skipper a cruising yacht safely on coastal and offshore passages by day and night. To do this well requires strong navigation, seamanship and leadership skills.

During the week your instructor will guide you through preparations for sea and the safety equipment required for offshore passages, passage planning and pilotage and navigating in restricted visibility. A Coastal Skipper needs good boat handling skills and you will have time to practice berthing and mooring under power and sail in various conditions. You will live onboard during the week and we will be visiting many different ports by night and day and you will learn about preparations for adverse weather sailing and emergency situations.

On successful completion of the course, you will be awarded the RYA Coastal Skipper certificate which is recognised worldwide and can lead to commercial qualifications.

Previous Experience Required for Competent Crew -  none

Course cost

Investment of $2,895.00, GST inclusive.