Adult RYA Courses

Gain your RYA qualification aboard a traditionally rigged classic yacht

Train, build miles, and gain qualifications aboard our beautiful gaff yawl Moosk – a classic yacht with a proud history and exceptional sailing qualities.

Throughout the sailing season, we run a range of RYA sailing courses for adults, welcoming everyone from complete beginners to experienced sailors working towards Yachtmaster qualifications. Whether you are learning the fundamentals or refining advanced skills, you’ll enjoy hands-on training in a supportive and professional environment.

A Classic Yacht, perfectly suited to learning

Built in 1906 as a gentleman’s cruiser, Moosk remains timeless, elegant, and a pleasure to sail. Gaff yawls are renowned for their seaworthiness, balance, manoeuvrability, comfort, and speed, making Moosk an outstanding platform for both training and mile building. Sailing a traditional yacht also develops sound seamanship, confidence, and a deep understanding of boat handling.

RYA Courses Available

With us, you can work towards the following RYA Practical qualifications:

• RYA Competent Crew
  Ideal for those with little or no prior sailing experience, or for refreshing existing skills.
• RYA Day Skipper Practical
• RYA Coastal Skipper Practical
  Undertaken as part of the Yachtmaster course.
• RYA Yachtmaster Coastal
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore

Mile Building and Skill Development

If your aim is to build sea miles, increase confidence, and hone your sailing skills, you are welcome to join any suitable course for focused mile building while sailing in varied conditions and real passages.

Sail with Purpose

Training aboard Moosk offers something special: traditional seamanship, meaningful experience, and recognised qualifications – delivered aboard a yacht that rewards good sailing.

Life on board

You and the rest of the crew are responsible for all aspects of life on board, from helming and navigation, to getting the sails up and rowing ashore. Our professional sailing staff will instruct you every step of the way through the course requirements.

Join us on board and take the next step in your sailing journey.

Location

We sail in the magnificent waters along the south Devon and south Cornwall coast, sailing east or west depending on the weather conditions.

All courses start and finish in Plymouth, unless stated otherwise, and follow the RYA Cruising syllabus.  Our course prices include accommodation, use of waterproofs, safety equipment and all meals on board.

DofE Gold Residentials

If you are aged 18 or over and wish to fulfil your DofE Gold Residential on a sailing activity, we are a DofE Approved Activity Provider and you can do this on one of our adult RYA courses. In addition, 18 and 19yr olds can also join one of our adventure sailing voyages.

Handy learning aids for RYA courses

Before you embark on your RYA sailing course you could buy yourself some easy to learn marine Flip Cards. A handy pocket size learning aid to teach yourself about the codes and nautical rules. We suggest these, which can be purchased direct from Flip Cards or from any chandlery in-store or online:

• Rule of the Road
• IALA Buoyage – Area A
• Lights and Shapes

RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus and Logbook

An RYA logbook can be purchased from us during your voyage, currently £8.50. If buying from elsewhere you will need the G158 version.

All courses are operated by The Island Trust’s trading subsidiary Island (Cutter) Ltd.