Start Yacht Sailing (Cruising Level 2) Syllabus

On completion of our Start Yacht Sailing course (Level 2 cruising) you will have a good practical foundation in yacht sailing and be able to helm and crew a cruising yacht with a skipper on board. The course can be done in 16 hours (2-3 days) for guests living aboard our tuition yacht or staying at our Vassiliki Beach Club.

We recommend taking the Level 1 and 2 courses together as a complete week-long ‘Start Yachting’ course - whilst living aboard our tuition yacht - so you will have an extra day to practice important yacht handling techniques and yacht manoeuvres. The syllabus below (although not exhaustive) contains many of the things that you will learn.

Practical Syllabus

Rigging

Knowledge of spars and rigging, parts of the sail and sail controls. Understands the use of halyards and their associated winches   

Reefing

Understands how to rig according to weather and conditions. Can reef the boat when afloat.

Ropework

Can tie a figure of eight knot, round turn half hitches. Tie a bowline, clove hitch and reef knot. 

Sailing Techniques and Manoeuvres

Has basic practical understanding of the following:

• The Five Essentials - Course made good, Trim, Balance, Sail setting, and Centreboard/keel* (*n/a Keelboats)
• Sailing on all points
• Getting out of irons
• Tacking and Gybing - turning the back of the boat through the wind
• Leaving and returning to a beach, jetty or mooring
• Coming alongside a moored boat. Mooring stern-to.
• Knows basic rules of the road: power/sail, port/starboard, windward boat, overtaking boat
• Aware of lee shore dangers, sailing in close company with others and man overboard recovery
• Able to paddle a sailing dinghy and row a boat around a short triangular course, come alongside and make fast
• Has wind awareness
• Controlling speed

Use of Engine

Has knowledge of engine checks, starting, stopping and running procedures. Able to come alongside and pick up a mooring.

Launching and Recovery/Departure and Arrival

Understands leaving and returning to a jetty or mooring. Coming alongside a moored boat, sailing in close proximity to other vessels, performing a man-overboard recovery, lee shore dangers. 

Man Overboard Recovery

Understands action to be taken to recover a man overboard 

Emergency Equipment and Precautions

Awareness of potential hazards of fuel and gas, Has knowledge of stowage and use of fire extinguishers.

Understands:

• Use of VHF Radio and how it could be used for distress signalling
• How to launch and board a life raft
• How cold-water shock can affect a casualty in the water
• The importance of first aid kits and flares, including stowage

Theory Syllabus

Sailing Theory and Background

• Has awareness of other water users
• Has basic knowledge of rules of road - power versus sail, port versus starboard, overtaking boat, windward boat
• Has knowledge of: Points of sailing and ‘No Go Zone’
• How a sail works - basic aerodynamic theory
• Sea Sailing - Basic advice for inland sailors, including taking local advice. Speed over ground with/against tidal flow
• Inland sailing - basic advice including local bylaws, permits, overhead power lines, locks and weirs
• The dangers of hypothermia and the importance of first aid training, particularly cardio pulmonary resuscitation

Meteorology

Knows sources of weather and shipping forecasts, when to reef. Understands Beaufort Wind Scale. How to apply weather forecasts in coastal waters 

Knowledge of

• How a sail works
• How a sailing boat moves (basic theory)

Clothing and Equipment

Knows importance of personal safety, clothing and buoyancy, boat buoyancy and basic equipment, depending on boat type (may include anchor, paddle, bucket, bilge pump)

Emergency equipment and precautions

Knows importance of first aid kit and flares (if included) including stowage. Visual methods of attracting attention, action to help those in distress