Irish National Sailing School
Competent Crew
This course is hands on. You are the crew – without you the sails won’t go up and the boat won’t be steered. The course is 5 days long. Not sure you want to commit to 5 days? Then we recommend taking the Start Sailing course on our Keelboats prior to this course.
The course covers the RYA Competent Crew syllabus.
- Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Safety on board
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard
- Emergency equipment
- Manners and customs
- Rules of the road
- Dinghies & tenders
- Metrology
- Seasickness
- Helmsmanship and sailing
- General duties
Course Outcome
By the end of the course you should be able to
- Steer the yacht
- Handle the sails
- Keep lookout while underway
- Assist in all the day to day duties on board.
- You will have also enjoyed scenic passages along the East Coast of Ireland and had a memorable holiday!
BOOKINGS
The course fees are €865.
Highlights
- No sailing experience needed – you'll be part of the crew from the first morning
- Home each night: we aim to berth in Dun Laoghaire every evening or a Marina with mainline train connections, stay aboard or head home.
- Small group on a modern 36-foot cruising yacht
Who it's for
This is the course for you if you've always wanted to sail a yacht but don't know where to start. It suits keelboat beginners, dinghy sailors moving up to bigger boats, and anyone who's been a passenger on a friend's boat and wants to be genuinely useful on deck. It's also a great way to build the confidence and sea time you'll need for Day Skipper.
Not sure about committing to five days? Try our Keelboat Level 1 weekend course first. We'd strongly recommend gaining this sailing experience first!
What do Graduates think?
The course was absolutely fantastic!
Rob is a genuinely great instructor. He was brilliant at creating a calm environment and ensuring that everyone on the course was following the curriculum and putting it into practice - It was also really easy to see the joy that he got not just from sailing, but also passing on that passion to his students - he's a real credit to INSS!
Thoroughly enjoyed our five days on board, three days with Jane who is very knowledgeable and accommodating and two days with James who is very experienced and really challenged us. Overall a very worthwhile experience.
The course I took was the Day Skipper and there were two others onboard completing the same qualification. We all agreed that the Compentent Crew course was excellent and were impressed with how much they were taught during the week.
Where to meet
All courses meet at Dun Laoghaire Marina at 9.30am on first day of course. The finish times of the course each day will vary depending on destinations and weather conditions.
Sleeping arrangements & berthing port overnight
We will aim to berth overnight in Dun Laoghaire each evening, so that you will be free to head off home and re-join the boat in the morning. Alternatively, you are welcome to stay on board if you are not living locally. There will be one late evening sail which will be agreed with the Skipper at the beginning of the week.
We do not supply sleeping bags or sheets for the bunks, we require clients to bring their own sleeping bag and pillow for all courses.
The Boat
This course is held on board our Elan 36 ‘Beaufort Venture.’ It is a 36-foot cruising yacht with 6 berths, full kitchen including stove and fridge, as well as toilet and shower facilities.
Gear Provided
We provide foul weather waterproofs and lifejackets.
Meals Aboard - Food and Drink
At all times on board there will be a large stock of tea, coffee and biscuits as well as drinking water. Breakfast, lunch and dinner (if required) will also be provided. (See sample menu below). We may also head ashore for meals to get a break away from the boat.
Breakfast:
- Muesli
- Yoghurt
- Orange Juice
Lunch:
- Soup
- Sandwiches prepared onboard
Dinner:
- Pre-cooked oven bake tray
- Shepard’s Pie
- Lasagne
- Beef Stroganoff
- Head ashore to a restaurant or pub
