Learning to sail in Weymouth: your first RYA Competent Crew week
You do not need previous sailing experience to join an RYA Competent Crew course. It is a practical starting point for people who want to take an active part on board a sailing yacht: handling ropes and sails, steering, keeping a lookout and helping with everyday routines.
At BH Marine in Weymouth, the course runs over five days with a maximum of four learners. The shared-cabin course price is £799 per person. If you are thinking about your first sailing week, here is what to expect and how to choose a suitable date.
Is Competent Crew the right course for you?
Competent Crew is aimed at beginners and people who have been sailing as passengers but would like to become useful members of the crew. You are not expected to arrive knowing the names of every rope or how to set the sails. Those are skills you will practise during the course.
If you already have sailing experience, tell us what you have done and what you would like to achieve before booking. We can help you choose an appropriate starting point, whether that is Competent Crew, further practical training or tuition focused on a particular skill.
What will you practise on the water?
The course covers the main parts of a sailing yacht, basic sailing terms, sail handling, ropework and helmsmanship. You will also work on keeping a lookout, general duties on board and helping the crew operate together.
Safety forms part of the practical training, including personal safety equipment, fire precautions, man-overboard awareness and emergency equipment. Weather, seasickness and considerate behaviour on board are also covered. The aim is to help you take an active, informed part in the day-to-day running of a yacht.
Upcoming five-day course dates
The current schedule includes 7–11 December 2026, 11–15 January 2027 and 8–12 February 2027. Further advertised weeks are 8–12 March, 12–16 April and 10–14 May 2027. Course hours are shown as 09:00–17:00 each day.
Use the live booking calendar to check availability for your chosen week. If it opens on a week with no sessions, select Check Next Availability to move to the next scheduled course. The listed dates are course options, rather than a guarantee that a place will remain available.
Shared cabin or your own cabin?
The standard online booking price is £799 per person for the full five-day course with a shared cabin. An own-cabin option is £990 per person in total, subject to confirmation. Please contact BH Marine before booking or paying if you would like your own cabin; the standard online booking is for the shared-cabin option.
Before travelling, confirm your joining instructions and ask about anything you need to bring, including clothing, footwear and bedding, and the arrangements for meals. If you have a particular access, dietary or accommodation requirement, discuss it with us before booking so we can advise on suitability.
If the advertised dates do not suit
More dates, private courses and tailored training may be available by arrangement. Send us your preferred dates, previous sailing experience and the number of people interested. That gives us the information needed to advise on the next step.
Book your first sailing week
Ready to join us? Check the course page for current dates, availability and booking details. If you would like advice first, contact BH Marine with your preferred week and cabin choice.
You can also call 01305 564204 or email admin@bhmarine.co.uk. Course dates and prices checked on 30 October 2026; please check the live course page before booking.
