Courses

First Class Sailing runs the full range of RYA shorebased courses at CA House. Classes are run in the evenings or at weekends or a combination of both.  Very much geared towards cruising, their instructors are often boat owners themselves and selected for their vast experience and tremendous enthusiasm for sailing and imparting their knowledge. They have a base in Shamrock Quay in Southampton, from where they run RYA practical courses. You can see their RYA Course Progression Plan here to help select the right course for you.

First Class SailingReduced prices for CA Members on all shorebased courses at CA House are offered (see individual courses for details). Please enter the discount code below on the First Class Sailing website before going to the Checkout at the 'Redeem a discount code prompt'. Non-members joining the CA during a course (and paying by Direct Debit) will also receive the discount.


Full details of the theory and the practical courses offered by First Class Sailing can be found on its website at: www.firstclasssailing.com You can also phone on 0203 006 3717 and email on: info@firstclasssailing.com


Forthcoming Theory Courses


 "For anyone nurturing the dream of an ocean voyage there is no better place to take that first step from dream to reality than the Cruising Association."
Jimmy Cornell, Three times circumnavigator, best-selling author, founder of the ARC


First Class Sailing
10% off to CA Members on our practical courses with the exception of any that run over a Bank Holiday.

https://www.firstclasssailing.com/Competent-Crew/
https://www.firstclasssailing.com/Day-Skipper-Practical/
https://www.firstclasssailing.com/Coastal-Skipper/
https://www.firstclasssailing.com/Yachtmaster-Coastal/
https://www.firstclasssailing.com/Yachtmaster/

We also run weekend trips across to France and back – great mile builders for people to get experience.
https://www.firstclasssailing.com/Weekend-Channel-Hops/

To claim the CA Member discount please use the appropriate code when booking online or call or email First Class Sailing on 0203 006 3717
info@firstclasssailing.com

 

RYA Theory Courses

Day Skipper Course

Details: The Day Skipper shorebased course is for those that have done little or no actual navigation, regardless of whether you have a lot of sailing experience or none. The course includes lots of navigation (including use of GPS and electronic charts), meteorology, collision regulations and safety procedures.

 

Details of this course can be found on the First Class Sailing website or on the link below to the course on the specified dates.

Forthcoming courses: TBA

Cost: TBA

CA members' discount code: TBA


Yachtmaster Theory Course

Details: This is a course in more advanced navigation techniques. It is assumed you will have done the Day Skipper theory course. The course teaches you about navigating safely on coastal and offshore passages.

 

The course is run by First Class Sailing and full details can be found here.

Forthcoming courses: TBA

Cost: TBA

CA members' discount code: TBA


Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course

Details: The RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Theory Course examines astro-navigation, the use of the sextant and worldwide meteorology. It assumes a knowledge of all the subjects covered in all the other shorebased courses.

 

The course is run by First Class Sailing and full details can be found here.

Forthcoming courses: TBA

Cost: TBA

CA members' discount code: TBA


 

One and two day courses

RYA Sea First Aid at Sea

Details: First aid at sea is an essential skill, as in the unlikely event of a medical emergency, prompt action and a little sailing first aid knowledge can save lives. The one day RYA First Aid at Sea Course provides a working knowledge of First Aid for people using small craft, and support to skippers of yachts and small craft working within 60 nautical miles of a safe haven.

 

The course is run by First Class Sailing and full details can be found here.

Forthcoming courses: Saturday 6 April 2024
Saturday 18 May 2024
Saturday 15 June 2024
Saturday 13 July 2024
Sunday 11 August 2024

Cost: £149 - £22 discount for CA members.

CA members' discount code: CAFIRSTAID.


VHF Course

Details: The RYA VHF Radio Course is also known as the Short Range Certificate (SRC) Course. It is a 1 day course in how to operate a VHF Radio and all the procedures associated with using a radio, for example calling marinas, how to send a Mayday or a PanPan and how to ‘relay’ either of these. The VHF Course covers Digital Selective Calling (DSC) – the method of calling other yachts electronically, as well as the traditional method of calling by voice.

 

The course is run by First Class Sailing and full details can be found here.

Forthcoming courses: Saturday 13 April (assessment Sunday 14 April) 2024
Saturday 11 May (assessment Sunday 12 May) 2024
Saturday 8 June (assessment Sunday 9 June 2024
Saturday 6 July (assessment Sunday 7 July) 2024
Saturday 10 August (assessment Sunday 11 August) 2024

Cost: £149 - £22 discount for CA members. To attend an assessment costs £30. There is also a £70 licence fee payable to the RYA beforehand.

CA members' discount code: CAVHF


Diesel Engine Maintenance Course

Details: Mechanical failure is the main cause of rescue callouts to cruisers. Basic maintenance and engine care will help ensure that you are not part of this statistic.

 

The course is run by First Class Sailing and full details can be found here.

Forthcoming courses: Saturday 6 April 2024
Sunday 19 May 2024
Sunday 16 June 2024
Sunday 14 July 2024
Saturday 10 August 2024

Cost: £149 -15% discount for CA members.

CA members' discount code: CADIESEL


RYA Yacht Electrics and Marine Systems (two day) Course

Details: This 2 day Yacht Electrical and Systems Course is designed to help you understand marine electrics and the electrical systems you might find on board a yacht.

 

The course is run by First Class Sailing and full details can be found here.

Forthcoming courses: TBA

Cost: £250 - £37 discount for CA members

CA members' discount code: CAEMS


RYA Sea Survival Course

Details: This is a one day course held in a classroom and a swimming pool. You will learn about and handle safety equipment. You will learn how to use it in an emergency. This has two elements. It starts at 9.30am with a classroom based course. There you will learn about crucial safety equipment, flares, life-rafts, distress beacons, lifejackets. You will learn the use of and operation of them and actually have the opportunity to examine the equipment at close quarters.

The second element is in a swimming pool. There, wearing clothes, you will put on our lifejackets and practice boarding a liferaft from the water. A lot of fun and quite revealing how difficult it would be in extremis.

 

The course is run by First Class Sailing and full details can be found here.

Forthcoming courses: TBA.

Cost: £180 - 15% discount for CA members

CA members' discount code: TBA .


RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course

Details: The aim of the 1 day RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course is to provide skippers and crews of yachts taking part in offshore races with the necessary skills and knowledge to deal with an emergency. The course will give you a good knowledge of the safety equipment carried on small boats and the seamanship techniques needed to survive at sea in heavy weather.

 

The course is run by First Class Sailing and full details can be found here.

Forthcoming courses: Sunday 9 June 2024, 1000 - 1700
Saturday 27 July 2024, 1000 - 1700

Cost: £149 - £20 discount for CA members

CA members' discount code: CAOPS