A liveaboard practical course is different from attending lessons ashore. The yacht is your classroom, transport and accommodation, while each passage creates opportunities to practise steering, sail handling, navigation, pilotage and teamwork.
For a normal five-day practical programme, boarding begins on Sunday evening. Training runs from Monday to Friday, with checkout by Saturday morning. The published course run and joining instructions remain the final reference for your dates.
Boarding and settling aboard
The first evening is for meeting the instructor and crew, finding your berth, stowing luggage and becoming familiar with the yacht. Safety equipment, shared spaces, heads, galley routines and the plan for the week are introduced before departure.
Bring a soft bag rather than a rigid suitcase aboard. Large hard luggage can be difficult to stow safely and may be left at the school by prior arrangement.
Cabins and shared spaces
Cabins on a cruising yacht are compact. Depending on the tariff you book, you may share a double cabin, reserve a private cabin, use the saloon berth or book the full boat. Heads, the saloon, cockpit and galley are shared working spaces.
A typical training day
The exact rhythm depends on weather, route, crew progress and training objectives. A day commonly includes:
- Weather, route and safety briefing.
- Preparing the yacht and allocating crew responsibilities.
- Sail handling, helming and practical exercises during the passage.
- Navigation, lookout and position monitoring.
- Arrival pilotage, anchoring or mooring.
- Debrief, meal preparation and planning for the following day.
The instructor adjusts the programme to conditions. Changing an anchorage or passage is normal seamanship and often provides one of the most useful lessons of the week.
Food and galley routines
Preparing food and keeping the galley organised are part of life aboard. The crew agrees provisions and dietary requirements before or at the beginning of the course. Tasks are shared, and simple meals work best when the yacht is moving or the training day has been demanding.
There may be opportunities to eat ashore, but these depend on route, timing and conditions. Do not assume the yacht will return to the marina each evening.
Learning as a crew
Every participant rotates through practical responsibilities. You will sometimes helm, sometimes handle lines, sometimes navigate, keep lookout or help with everyday routines. The aim is not merely to watch an instructor demonstrate skills, but to become a more capable member of the yacht's crew.
Read the joining instructions
