RYA Start Motor Cruising

The RYA’s Motor Cruising program is for those wanting to start cruising, or to expand their cruising knowledge. It encourages high standards of seamanship and navigation.

You can expect to be taught by an experienced, qualified instructor on board a seaworthy boat with a maximum of five trainees. Courses can be taken either onboard a centre’s boat or your own boat.

You can enter our program at any level, provided that you have the prerequisite amount of experience beforehand. Be realistic when assessing your current experience and abilities and, if in doubt, drop in and discuss your requirements with us before booking your course.

Helmsman’s Course

This two-day course covers essential boat handling, helmsmanship, safety and basic engine maintenance. It is ideal for the new owner who is conscious of the difficulty and potential hazards of boat handling in the marina. Your ability after course is to be competent to handle a small motor cruiser in enclosed waters. No previous experience is required, but some practical experience is desirable.

Motor Cruising Day Skipper

This course gives you the chance to take charge on short passages under instruction. You will concentrate on pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation in tidal waters. Following the course you should be competent to skipper a motor cruiser in familiar waters by day. It is highly recommended that you attend the Day Skipper Shorebased Course before taking this practical course covering basic navigation, pilotage, chart work, safety and meteorology.

Motor Cruising Coastal Skipper

This course is for the more ambitious and knowledgeable motor cruising skipper wanting to undertake coastal passages by day and night. On the course each trainee will skipper a passage in a variety of situations and learn more about safety, passage planning, pilotage by day and night, boat handling and emergency situations, all in tidal waters.

A suggested pre-course requirement is 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours, and we would assume your knowledge would be at least to the standard of the Day Skipper practical course and navigation to the standard of the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster shorebased course. The Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster shorebased course is highly recommended prior to completing this practical course. Following the course you should be competent to Skipper a motor cruiser on coastal passages by day and night.

What will I learn?

– Preparation

– Seaworthiness & buoyancy

– Pre departure checks

– Safety equipment & weather

– Manoeuvring

– Berthing

– On water rules & seamanship

– Emergency response

– Fire, person overboard

– Emergency communications

– Distress signals, marine radio

What do I bring?

Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bathing suit, a warm jumper, change of clothes (minimal wardrobe needed), towel, sleeping bag and pillow, spray jacket, toilet kit and any personal medication you may require all packed in a flexible soft bag.

What about meals?

All meals are provided. If you have special dietary needs, please be sure to indicate this in advance when you register for the course

Where are we?

Our office is located at The Mooloolaba Marina on Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba just an hour north of Brisbane. There’s ample parking. Click HERE to see a map. The location can be accessed from 33-45 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba. Course location will be advised for individual courses.

Course Cost?

The course cost for the 2 day Helmsman’s Course, 4 day Motor Cruising Day Skipper and the 5 day Motor Cruising Coastal Skipper is $1,500 per day. Please note prices can be shared with other candidates. Please note a minimum 25% deposit is required at the time of booking and the balance to be paid prior to the course commencing.

Own boat tuition available for all courses

Cost: $550/day. Meals are to be provided for any overnight course for all crew and instructor.