Hazeltine
Well-Known Member
As a dinghy sailor and wanting to get into the big boats would you advise the competent crew course? Does it really teach you that much? Will it teach me all I need to go yachting?
Rya competent crew
- Thread starter Hazeltine
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nigelmercier
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As Competent Crew, yes. Get some books before you do the course.
VicS
Well-Known Member
A lot of the course content should already be familiar to you but if you have no experience of sailing and living on a "yacht" you should get some benefit from the comp crew course before going on to the day skipper and coastal skipper courses.
Its always good fun to do something like this anyway. Approach it in that light, realising that you will already know much of the course content and you wont be disappointed at going over stuff you already know.
Get hold of the course syllabus and have a read http://www.rya.org.uk/shop/pages/pr...Sail+&+Power+Cruising(RYA+Main)&type=&course=
http://www.rya.org.uk/shop/pages/pr...(RYA+Main)&type=BK(RYADefaultCatalog)&course=
Its always good fun to do something like this anyway. Approach it in that light, realising that you will already know much of the course content and you wont be disappointed at going over stuff you already know.
Get hold of the course syllabus and have a read http://www.rya.org.uk/shop/pages/pr...Sail+&+Power+Cruising(RYA+Main)&type=&course=
http://www.rya.org.uk/shop/pages/pr...(RYA+Main)&type=BK(RYADefaultCatalog)&course=
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prv
Well-Known Member
I reckon it does pretty much what it says on the tin - teaches you to be a useful member of crew on a boat. It doesn't teach you to skipper that boat if that's what you're after.
If you already sail dinghies you'd probably learn all you need to know in a week's general cruising as opposed to a course, but if you don't know anyone with a boat then a course might be as good a way as any of doing that week's sailing.
Pete
If you already sail dinghies you'd probably learn all you need to know in a week's general cruising as opposed to a course, but if you don't know anyone with a boat then a course might be as good a way as any of doing that week's sailing.
Pete
marklucas
Well-Known Member
Assuming you're a competent dinghy sailor then go straight to Day Skipper, IMHO.
Other than a few minor differences in technique and method {don't ever make off a warp off on a cleat by locking it under itself - 5+ tons will mean you'll never undo it) then it's all about boat / crew management and manouervering (which iwith an engine is quite different).
Other than a few minor differences in technique and method {don't ever make off a warp off on a cleat by locking it under itself - 5+ tons will mean you'll never undo it) then it's all about boat / crew management and manouervering (which iwith an engine is quite different).
OGITD
Well-Known Member
As what Pete & Mark said
Read the RYA Competent Crew booklet (30min max) (lots of pictures) go sailing for a couple of weekends & as you already know how to sail etc you can then go onto your Day Skipper if you so wish.
And if you live within proximity (ish) to the Clyde you can sail with me, as I almost always sail with people who haven’t sailed before & yes! they do still want to sail.
Read the RYA Competent Crew booklet (30min max) (lots of pictures) go sailing for a couple of weekends & as you already know how to sail etc you can then go onto your Day Skipper if you so wish.
And if you live within proximity (ish) to the Clyde you can sail with me, as I almost always sail with people who haven’t sailed before & yes! they do still want to sail.
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Rigger Mortice
N/A
Discuss it with the sailing school you decide to go with. Most schools would be happy to discuss your experience and then advise you whether to go for CC or DS.
Just about, but you'll probably need to do an evening class to gain confidence with navigation.
saltylegs
Well-Known Member
Read the RYA Competent Crew booklet (30min max) (lots of pictures) go sailing for a couple of weekends & as you already know how to sail etc you can then go onto your Day Skipper if you so wish.
And if you live within proximity (ish) to the Clyde you can sail with me, as I almost always sail with people who haven’t sailed before & yes! they do still want to sail.
Yip get along to a local club that does cruiser racing and you will find lots of boats looking for crew.
racing is agreat way to learn, but dont limit yourself to one boat, if you can race twice a week try doing it on different boats and only "sign up" for 1 season so if you are not fussed on a particular boat/crew you can switch at the end of the season.
after 1 season i bet you will be able to suss out the good from the bad.
Seajet
...
I did my ym offshore along with 2 others doing the same, a chap doing Coastal Skipper ( who now commands a rather fancy RN Destroyer ! ) and a chap doing Competent Crew.
I have to say - and I was with TOP instructors with impeccable C.V.'s, I thought the CC course looked of very little benefit; 'how to tie on a fender', 'how to blow up an inflatable dinghy and row it' seemed the sort of thing a decent skipper would brief a crew on within a few minutes of joining the boat ( along with normal safety briefing ) or teach as things happened.
I think the rest of the RYA courses are basically right, but I can't help thinking Competent Crew is a bit of a worthless exercise designed at making money; people so inclined would be a lot better off asking to crew at sailing clubs...
I have to say - and I was with TOP instructors with impeccable C.V.'s, I thought the CC course looked of very little benefit; 'how to tie on a fender', 'how to blow up an inflatable dinghy and row it' seemed the sort of thing a decent skipper would brief a crew on within a few minutes of joining the boat ( along with normal safety briefing ) or teach as things happened.
I think the rest of the RYA courses are basically right, but I can't help thinking Competent Crew is a bit of a worthless exercise designed at making money; people so inclined would be a lot better off asking to crew at sailing clubs...
toad_oftoadhall
Well-Known Member
+1
That's the way to decide. Actually look at what the courses cover and make a decision based on that.
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
SWMBO did Competent Crew whilst I was doing the Yachtmaster prep... On board our boat.
I thought it was invaluable as there was absolutely no pressure on her to perform and, at the end of the week she was ..... A Competent Crew
The instructor made it clear that, if she didn't understand something, it was his fault, not hers.... and he had to find a better way of showing or explaining whatever it was. Ideal approach for my SWMBO, and probably many others.
There is no way I could have covered everything with her and, just like teaching a SWMBO to drive, we would have fallen out at a variety of points.
So I'm a supporter of CC, albeit it has it's place.
At the end of a week of Day Skipper, you are expected to be able to Skipper a boat on a reasonable length of trip, during daytime - quite a lot to pick up if you haven't done much yacht sailing, particularly navigation and skippering. CC would ease you into the RYA way, and not bad prep. for gearing up for DS.
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
Its one of the most underrated courses that the RYA offers and deserves to be pushed more. A fully competent crew can do far more than a poor Day Skipper.
Your are being very selective in the use of your examples to rubbish this course. The examples below would be better demonstrate the usefulness of this course.
It is a common belief, quite naturally of course, that folks think they are better than they actually are. The Competent Crew course, taught at a good sailing school will produce very good sailors who can confidently handle yachts at that level. Compare this to a candidate who thinks they can handle a yacht but can't really sail upwind that well and who's sail trim is poor. They will loose valuable teaching time on the Day Skipper Course trying to master these skills at the expense of the Navigation. The end result is a poor skipper who can only navigate by looking at a plotter and can barely handle a yacht. These dolts then proceeded to teach their wives and friends at Clubs and the whole competency level of the general cruising population plummets. The end result is that they become Yachtmasters, end up as Instructors, and still can't pick up a mooring under sail at the Instructor Refresher week. A Fact, a truth, swear on my Grannies Grave, cross my heart and hope to die, my pants are not on fire.
My advice to the OP is get yourself on a Competent Crew Course with a good school. The school will push you further and can sign off against certain aspects of the Day Skipper syllabus if you are good enough at that element.
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D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
Competent Crew The Most Underrated RYA Course
Its one of the most underrated courses that the RYA offers and deserves to be pushed more. A fully competent crew can do far more than a poor Day Skipper.
Your are being very selective in the use of your examples to rubbish this course. The examples below would be better demonstrate the usefulness of this course.
It is a common belief, quite naturally of course, that folks think they are better than they actually are. The Competent Crew course, taught at a good school school will produce very good sailors who can confidently handle yachts at that level. Compare this to a candidate who thinks they can handle a yacht but can't really sail upwind that well and who's sail trim is poor. They will loose valuable teaching time on the Day Skipper Course trying to master these skills at the expense of the Navigation. The end result is a poor skipper who can only navigate by looking at a plotter and can barely handle a yacht. These dolts then proceeded to teach their wives and friends at Clubs and the whole competency level of the general cruising population plummets. The end result is that they become Yachtmasters, end up as Instructors, and still can't pick up a mooring under sail at the Instructor Refresher week. A Fact, a truth, swear on my Grannies Grave, cross my heart and hope to die, my pants are not on fire.
My advice to the OP is get yourself on a Competent Crew Course with a good school. They school will push you further and can sign off against certain aspects of the Day Skipper syllabus if you are good enough at that element.
Its one of the most underrated courses that the RYA offers and deserves to be pushed more. A fully competent crew can do far more than a poor Day Skipper.
Your are being very selective in the use of your examples to rubbish this course. The examples below would be better demonstrate the usefulness of this course.
It is a common belief, quite naturally of course, that folks think they are better than they actually are. The Competent Crew course, taught at a good school school will produce very good sailors who can confidently handle yachts at that level. Compare this to a candidate who thinks they can handle a yacht but can't really sail upwind that well and who's sail trim is poor. They will loose valuable teaching time on the Day Skipper Course trying to master these skills at the expense of the Navigation. The end result is a poor skipper who can only navigate by looking at a plotter and can barely handle a yacht. These dolts then proceeded to teach their wives and friends at Clubs and the whole competency level of the general cruising population plummets. The end result is that they become Yachtmasters, end up as Instructors, and still can't pick up a mooring under sail at the Instructor Refresher week. A Fact, a truth, swear on my Grannies Grave, cross my heart and hope to die, my pants are not on fire.
My advice to the OP is get yourself on a Competent Crew Course with a good school. They school will push you further and can sign off against certain aspects of the Day Skipper syllabus if you are good enough at that element.
Hazeltine
Well-Known Member
So, I should probably do it then? Only just to get the absolute basics, and then do the day skipper course? As I don't know anybody with yachts. Does anybody know any decent schools in hull or on the Yorkshire coast?
Natterjack
Member
I would recommend doing the CC if you can't get access to a yacht, you will learn and have a great week.
If you can get yourself on a yacht with a half decent skipper you will learn all you need to know about crewing and would recommend doing day skipper THEORY instead.
Do not go straight into Day skipper practical without extensive knowledge of the theory or time will be wasted bringing you up to speed.
Cheers, Dan
Seajet
...
Hazeltine,
I'd suggest going to local sailing clubs and crewing for people - there's almost always someone looking for crew, not necessarily experienced, often for company ( and possibly sharing berthing fees ! ).
You could download the CC sylabus and make sure you covered it, and reading sailing stuff in general will always help; a good skipper will give a thorough briefing on the boat, its' sail, anchor & engine handling and safety kit, if faced with a skipper who doesn't do that make a point of asking or working it out yourself, as you may end up saving them and their boat !
You already know how to sail, probably quite well, so the cruiser systems & navigation should be of interest.
I'd suggest going to local sailing clubs and crewing for people - there's almost always someone looking for crew, not necessarily experienced, often for company ( and possibly sharing berthing fees ! ).
You could download the CC sylabus and make sure you covered it, and reading sailing stuff in general will always help; a good skipper will give a thorough briefing on the boat, its' sail, anchor & engine handling and safety kit, if faced with a skipper who doesn't do that make a point of asking or working it out yourself, as you may end up saving them and their boat !
You already know how to sail, probably quite well, so the cruiser systems & navigation should be of interest.
alant
Well-Known Member
If your a competant dinghy sailor, then the sailing bit (including trimming) will come easier than a total non-sailor, as will your reading of the water, leeway, positioning, etc, so you should have a head start.
However, a yacht will be much heavier & so will the gear, so some more likely to bite if you get it wrong. Also, as has already been mentioned, fenders/cleating off/MoB/heads/gas use/etc. All basic stuff & found in RYA website.
Why not simply try a weekend on a school boat & decide what is best for you.
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
Whilst I agree that the route of getting some cruising time in and then doing the Day Skipper course is probably the best route, if you can't get time aboard a yacht then the CC course is an excellent way of getting some supervised sailing in.
So, if you can, do a week or two cruising with someone on their boat, then do the Day Skipper. If you can't achieve that, then I'd suggest doing CC then Day Skipper; do them back to back if you can so that you don't have any skill fade and have the same instructor for both courses.
Whatever you do, enjoy it!
So, if you can, do a week or two cruising with someone on their boat, then do the Day Skipper. If you can't achieve that, then I'd suggest doing CC then Day Skipper; do them back to back if you can so that you don't have any skill fade and have the same instructor for both courses.
Whatever you do, enjoy it!
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
Do schools run CC courses as a single entity?
I (maybe totally incorrectly) had the impression that a CC course was combined with a DS or CS course so the instructor can be left to instruct.
I (maybe totally incorrectly) had the impression that a CC course was combined with a DS or CS course so the instructor can be left to instruct.