The RYA Competent Crew course is great for dinghy sailors, those new to sailing or for anyone who has been on a boat a few times but wants to learn a bit more. 

In this course, you will learn the skills needed to be a useful crew member. We will also add in some extras to your training, and you will be helping to moor and navigate the boat each day. This means that you will finish your training with us knowing that you have done that little bit extra, making it a great foundation if you want to go on and do more courses. 

The RYA Compentent Crew course is 5 days of hands-on sailing fun and all for £499pp. Whether you are following the flotilla or joining daily from Vounaki Beach Club, it's smooth sailing but spots are limited with our flotilla guests at the front of the queue.  If you are staying at the Beach Club, hop on board if there's room, just check with the team when you arrive. 

The Lowdown

  • 5 days sailing
  • Learn the skills to be a useful crew member
  • Great foundation for future courses
  • Available from Neilson Vounaki Beach Club and Marina
  • £499pp and must be pre-booked
Teaching on a Neilson yacht

What to expect

Busy but fun-filled days. There is a long syllabus to cover, so getting going in the morning is very important. Our instructors will always try to make time for a quick dip, or maybe even a lunch stop in a bay, however, you must remember we have a limited time to get through the course.

This can also mean getting into the harbour a little later than some other yachts, so you must be prepared to longline or anchor off, instead of being on the town quay every night. 

Your yacht will be fully MCA-coded for training.  All our RYA courses are taught in English.

Your Competent Crew instructor will stay on the yacht with you on day 6 to skipper the yacht back to base as the Competent Crew certificate does not allow you the skipper the yacht. 
 

Yachts moored in the Ionian

What is the Competent Crew Syllabus

The RYA Competent Crew syllabus will cover everything you need to do to successfully complete the course.

This will include knowledge of sailing terms and parts of the boat, knots and rope handling, rigging, points of sail and sail handling, helmsmanship under sail and power, mooring techniques, how to use a dinghy, fire precautions and prevention, emergency and personal safety and basic weather and meteorology. 

Full details of each aspect of the syllabus can be found here.

Neilson yacht crew

Course information

  • Centre name: Neilson Vounaki Marina
  • Centre location: Vounaki Marina, Paleros
  • Course duration: 5 days
  • Maximum student-to-instructor ratio: 5:1
  • Course material: Students will have access to appropriate RYA literature for the duration of the course. This can also be purchased in the marina office.
  • All courses will be delivered in English
  • How to book: You will need to pre-book your RYA Competent Crew prior to departure, available for £499pp.
  • Please note: Your Competent Crew instructor will stay on the yacht with you on day 6 to skipper the yacht back to base as the Competent Crew certificate does not allow you the skipper the yacht. 
sailing on a Neilson yacht

What does the course include?

  • 5 days sailing
  • Access to appropriate RYA literature for the duration of your course (RYA books available to purchase from the Marina Office)
  • Charts and navigation equipment
  • Certificates (upon successful completion)
  • Fully RYA-coded yacht
  • Fuel
  • Yacht Insurance
  • Calm and experienced instructor
  • Available for £499pp