These hands-on courses are for yachting beginners looking to gain the skills and experience to become fully active crew members.
About the course
We offer a 5-day course as well as a combined 2-day and 3-day Competent Crew course. You will need to have completed the 2-day course first in order to book and take part in the 3-day course.
The 2-day course is an introduction to yacht sailing. You will learn skills like hoisting, sailing and helming a yacht. These two days are day sailing from the Town Quay in Southampton, which means you will return to Southampton each night.
On the 3-day course you will take the skills you have learnt from the 2-day Competent Crew course and put them into practice on a sailing adventure. You will spend two evenings in different ports around the Solent.
The 5-day course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers. You will experience living on board and really get to know the boat. Virtually all of the course is hands on. You are the crew, without you the sails won't go up and the boat won't be steered.
By the end of this course you should be able to:
to steer a yacht
to handle the sails
to keep a lookout
to row a dinghy
assist in all the day to day duties on board
You should have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss whether this is the right course for you, email the Watersports team at southamptonsport@soton.ac.uk.
Dates and times
2 day courses run from 9am to 5pm each day.
3 day courses run from 9am Saturday to 4pm Monday (staying onboard).
5 day courses run from 9am Monday to 4pm Friday (staying onboard).
Competent Crew - Part 1
Competent Crew - Part 2
2 days - 2026
3 days - 2026
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
17 and 18 January
Competent Crew - Part 2
:
24 to 26 January
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
14 and 15 February
Competent Crew - Part 2
:
21 to 23 February
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
11 and 12 April
Competent Crew - Part 2
:
18 to 20 April
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
9 and 10 May
16 to 18 May
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
6 and 7 June
Competent Crew - Part 2
:
13 to 15 June
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
1 and 2 August
Competent Crew - Part 2
:
8 to 10 August
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
12 and 13 September
Competent Crew - Part 2
:
19 to 21 September
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
17 and 18 October
Competent Crew - Part 2
:
24 to 26 October
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
7 and 8 November
Competent Crew - Part 2
:
14 to 16 November
Competent Crew - 5 days
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
8 to 12 September 2025
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
6 to 10 October 2025
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
27 to 31 October 2025
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
10 to 14 November 2025
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
9 to 13 March 2026
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
27 April to 1 May 2026
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
25 to 29 May 2026
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
22 to 26 June 2026
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
20 to 24 July 2026
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
17 to 21 August 2026
Competent Crew - Part 1
:
5 to 9 October 2026
Prices
Our courses are available to everyone, but Southampton Sport members can book at a discounted rate.
In 2025 parts 1 and 2 must be booked at the same time, so the cost will be the same as for the 5 day course.
Membership type
Competent Crew Part 1 (2 Days)
Competent Crew Part 2 (3 Days)
Competent Crew (5 Days)
Membership type
:
Southampton Sports Membership
Competent Crew Part 1 (2 Days)
:
£202.50
£303.75
Competent Crew (5 Days)
:
£506.25
Membership type
:
Non-Member
Competent Crew Part 1 (2 Days)
:
£270
£405
Competent Crew (5 Days)
:
£675
Included in the course fee:
Certificates upon successful completion
Use of lifejackets and lifelines
Morning breakfasts, snack lunches and tea/coffee/soft drinks
Two evening meal on board (5 day courses)/One evening meal onboard (3 Day Courses)
Boat fuel
Not Included in the course fee:
Other evening meals
Mooring fees for berths other than Southampton Town Quay Marina
Cruising Scheme Logbook is available for purchase on the course for £7.99
You can cancel or reschedule a booking by contacting the Jubilee Sport and Recreation Centre. Your options depend on how much notice you give us. Notice periods are based on the date of your booking, not on the start time.
Notice given
Refund options
Notice given
:
7 days or more
Refund options
:
Full refund or reschedule to another date
Notice given
:
Between 48 hours and 7 days
Refund options
:
Full refund if you present a doctor’s note stating why you can't complete your booking
Notice given
:
Less than 48 hours
Refund options
:
No refund available
When we might cancel your booking
We might need to cancel a booking if:
the weather means we cannot safely run a course
staff members are sick and their absence cannot be covered
we cannot meet our minimum student-instructor ratio
If we need to cancel your booking, we’ll always try to give you at least 24 hours' notice. We’ll also offer to reschedule your booking.
