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RYA Essential Navigation

RYA Essential Navigation

Online navigation and seamanship, three months to complete

  • 7 hours
  • Royal Findhorn Yacht Club

An introductory online course covering the key skills and knowledge required for safe navigation and seamanship: charts and publications, buoyage and navigation, safety equipment and procedures, tides and tidal streams, the rules of the road (IRPCS), weather forecasts and passage planning, and electronic navigation and visual pilotage.

Start any time and learn at your own speed, with up to 3 months to complete. A course pack including essential learning materials and plotting tools is delivered to you, and an experienced RYA instructor is available by email or phone throughout. Ideal for new and aspiring sailors or powerboaters, inland and coastal recreational boaters, and anyone building a foundation before more advanced RYA training.

What's included
  • Online course access with up to 3 months to complete
  • Course pack delivered to you, including learning materials and plotting tools
  • Instructor support by email or phone throughout
  • RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Certificate on successful completion
Additional details
  • Fully online and self-paced
  • Start any time - begin the course at your convenience
  • Up to 3 months to complete
  • Course pack posted to you

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2x kids booked on an RYA stage 2 course all week. They had a fantastic time despite some testing (very windy) weather conditions. I wouldn’t trust anyone else except Jane to enthuse the joy of sailing into my offspring. Will 100% be back — already planning how we can escape the hustle & bustle of normal life again before the end of the summer! The water taxi was a huge hit with our younger and older members who weren’t up for the sailing. It even came with some fantastic local tour guiding for good measure.

All in all, a great week was had by all in the most incredible surroundings with a brilliant facility, well maintained quality kit and some excellent tuition.

Oli Webster

Completed our level 1 as a group of four adults. The staff and facilities were great and they really tailored the course to meet our needs. Would definitely recommend.

Owen McDonald

Needed to cross the bay for a run between Elgin and Nairn. They agreed to take me across even though they are closed in Winter. Really helpful and great communication. Thanks guys.

Joe Dolden

My 8 year-old daughter and 2 friends just completed the Stage 1 RYA dinghy sailing course with Findhorn Watersports. I’d give them 6 stars if that was an option! Everything was spot on — good value for money, positive young staff who were great role models, and all safety & equipment side of things clearly top notch. Highly recommended.

Johannes Petersen

We had a trip on the water taxi yesterday, it’s great! Took us across to a secluded part of Culbin beach where we able to see seals. Sam who took us over was lovely, helpful and really knowledgeable. Jane, the owner is fab, very welcoming and would do anything to help. We’ll definitely be back on the water taxi again!

Jacqueline Main