Sailing tuition in majorca

At Saracen Sailing we are not great believers in the “fast track” programs, however, we really enjoy training people to an advanced standard of sailing and seamanship. This is especially gratifying when we see our clients/friends go on to realise their dreams, be it sailing off into the sunset on their dream cruise or making sailing their new career. We do, however, like to see variety in training and a greater breadth of overall experience. If we were to do something similar to a “fast track” program, I guess that we’d call it “Slowtrack®” but we’re not too sure what the marketing department would make of that! (For those of you who know us….yes the marketing department is sitting on the chair next to me!) Anyway, we will help you all we can with both training and advice so here are some of the more advanced courses that will hopefully form a part of your journey to becoming an accomplished, happy and safe sailor.

Boat Handling - a 2 day course for anyone who would like to practice their close quarter handling skills. This course is ideal for Day Skippers, boat owners or for prospective Yachtmasters confident in their other sailing skills. It will increase your confidence and knowledge in handling a boat in the marina, in a man overboard situation or any other boat handling situation where you would like some practice and guidance in order to increase your confidence.

Own Boat Tuition / Skippered Charter - Your own professional instructor on board your vessel can take you through an RYA practical course familiarising you with your vessel, boat handling, negotiating unfamiliar harbour entries, passage planning and sail trimming. Or we can help you as required with certain aspects in which you may feel you need help. This is ideal training for all members of the family as own boat tuition builds confidence and so allows you to enjoy your vessel to its full potential.

RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased Theory - This is a 6 day advanced course for Skippers preparing for their Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster exam or who simply plan to venture a little further from the home port. The course covers more complex aspects of tides, navigation, meteorology and passage planning.

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical - This 5-day course introduces the more experienced skipper to the skills required to command a vessel on longer passages by day and night where passage planning, provisioning and crew welfare become more important. Your knowledge should be at Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory level.

Mileage Trips – if you need to gain experience after a Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper course then this is for you. There will be opportunities to skipper 60 mile coastal passages, experience the management of watch systems and to enhance your seamanship skills. The course will take 5 days and you can expect to cover in excess of 200 miles.

Short Range Certificate inc. VHF & GMDSS - The law requires that you must have an operators license to be in charge of VHF radio transmission. This one-day course provides you with the skills to use your radio correctly with an understanding of the new Digital Selective Calling (DSC) system.

GMDSS Update - This half-day course for holders of the old VHF (restricted) certificate teaches the new technology of DSC and GMDSS and how it interfaces with your existing knowledge of VHF operation in order to qualify for the new Short Range Certificate.

Coastal Skipper Exam - you will be asked by an independent RYA examiner to demonstrate your ability as a Coastal Skipper. The qualification is the same whether the exam is taken in tidal or non-tidal waters, however, expect your examiner to test your ability to navigate and manage a tidal situation. At the time of the exam you must be 17 or over. You should also have your radio operator’s qualification and first aid before a certificate can be issued. You should have 800 sea miles logged within 10 years prior to examination, 30 days living on board, 2 days as skipper and 12 night hours. At least half of the qualifying sea time must have been conducted in tidal waters. For holders of the Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate, the sea time required is reduced to 400 miles, 20 days living on board, 12 night hours, 2 days as skipper.

Yachtmaster Prep - This course helps to prepare the already experienced skipper for the RYA/Dot Yachtmaster exam. Your instructor will coach you in any areas where you feel you may be a little weak and you will gain experience and confidence in handling the vessel in the waters where your exam will be conducted. Usually run over 5 days. You should allow a further two days for the exam.

Yachtmaster Exam - Yachtmaster exams are now being conducted by the RYA in the Mediterranean. To take this exam, candidates must be aged 18 or over and should have logged at least 2500 miles, preferably during the last 10 years, of which at least half should have been in tidal waters. Ideally this experience should be as varied as possible both in terms of weather conditions, boats sailed, harbours and anchorages. Your experience should include at least 5 passages of 60 miles, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and at least two of these passages should have been overnight. It is important to remember that the examination is essentially a test of ability to take charge of a yacht. You should be able to enter a well-charted harbour for the first time, with sufficient depth, by day or night. The qualification is the same whether it is gained in tidal or non tidal waters. There is no such thing as a non-tidal Yachtmaster. Candidates taking their exam in non-tidal waters will be expected to show that you can plan and manage a tidal situation. You can also be expected to be asked questions on any aspect of the RYA syllabus. You will also need your radio operators and first aid qualifications.

RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased Theory - This 6 day course covers astro-navigation, worldwide meteorology and passage planning in preparation for the Ocean endorsement on your Yachtmaster certificate.