An RYA Competent Crew course provides a comprehensive introduction to yachting and leads to an internationally recognised certificate. 

You can complete your Competent Crew course over 3 weekends or 5 days straight. If you are booking weekends you should first book a Start Yachting Weekend and then follow with 2 x Competent Crew Weekends. 

If you add 3 or more courses to a single order with Flying Fish you will receive a 10% discount on the order total. You can book your weekends at any time of your choosing.

If you are not worried about the certification you can also book this as a refresher or stand-alone training adventure. 

Course content

• Understanding sea terms, and parts of the boat.
• Sail handling (bend on, set, reef, trim, flake)
• The use of winches, clutches, and halyards 
• Ropework (coiling, stowing, use of cleats, knots)
• Helming and sail trimming on all points
• Steering to a compass under power and sail. 
• Crew duties during mooring, berthing, and anchoring. 
• Personal safety, safety on board
• Man overboard. and emergency situations
• Rules of the road
• Basic meteorology
• Night sailing

Expert instruction, quality yachts

Our experienced instructor will guide you and your fellow crew members through the course in a friendly and relaxed manner.

You sail on board one of our Beneteau 40.7 cruiser-racer yachts with your fellow students and take part in all aspects of running the boat. 

The group is limited to five students to ensure you get maximum hands-on experience. 

Location and sailing conditions 

We sail from our base at Middle Harbour Yacht Club and explore beautiful Sydney Harbour.

Subject to weather conditions we sometimes head a little way offshore for a taste of the mighty Pacific Ocean. 

Private course - great value 

Arrange your own group of up to 5 people, and pay for 4 places. 

This is a great thing to do with family or friends. Kids are welcome too.

If you are interested in a private course contact us using the enquiry button at the top of the page. 

• Tuition, logbook, pre-course reading.
• Life-jackets and safety harnesses are provided and we can loan you wet weather clothing if required.
• All vessels have an enclosed bathroom on board.
• Please bring your own lunch and snacks.
• We provide tea and coffee and pizza takeaway before the night training exercise. 

Qualifications and experience

• RYA Competent Crew certificate (once you have completed a Start Yachting Weekend and two Competent Crew Weekends)

• No previous experience is required to book this weekend.
• If you are new to sailing and want to achieve your RYA Competent Crew certificate you should first book a Start Yachting Weekend 

• Once you have completed the Competent Crew course you are ready to start taking control and learning the role of the Day Skipper. 
• Join Day Skipper Shore-based, for a comprehensive introduction to the underlying theory knowledge you will need as a Day Skipper. 
• Then go on to the Day Skipper Practical course. 
• If you don't have time for the full shore-based theory course you could complete Essential Navigation and Seamanship self paced online course, and then go on to Day Skipper Practical
• Once you have your RYA Day Skipper you are ready to charter your own yacht.

• Wil Kavanagh
• Competent Crew Weekend
• 
• "The Competent Crew weekend with Tom was fantastic. Highly recommend both him and the Flying Fish group!"
• Courtney Lenzo
• Competent Crew Weeekend
• 
• “A lovely couple of weekends sailing for the RYA Competent Crew! Whether the weather was a sunny, breezy day or overcast and rainy, it was a ton of fun and very informative. Thanks to our instructor, Tom, for a great time! ”
• Jessie Williams
• Start Yachting Weekend 
• 
• “Matt is a deadset legend. He took a group of 5 adults who knew absolutely nothing about sailing to a place where we all felt proud and exhilarated! He was calm, funny, specific, and clear. He tracked us as individuals, offering reminders and tips on the things we got wrong (without telling us that we got it wrong)”