Andrew Simpson talks us through the basics of getting into cruising under sail.

Yacht cruising is sailing on boats that are big enough to sleep on. Trips undertaken can be from short inshore passages to round the world voyages. A cruising yacht will normally be over 6 metres long and will almost always have an auxilliary engine for getting in and out of port or for making headway against contrary winds or tides.

As well as developing sailing skills, a cruising yacht will also require its skipper to have knowledge of tides, pilotage, meteorology and other related disciplines.

One of the delights of cruising under sail is that it s a pastime that can be enjoyed at any age. Yes, those youngsters fortunate enough to have started in dinghies do have some advantages, but there s no reason why latecomers should not become very skilled, skippering or crewing aboard cruising yachts where knowledge and wisdom counts for much more than strength or agility.

It s one of the RYA s most vital roles to provide properly structured training paths so aspiring sailors who have the will to learn can become entirely competent in every aspect of boating. These include shore-based theory courses and hands-on tuition afloat all under the supervision of qualified instructors and skippers.
Learn more about the RYA Sail Cruising Scheme.

So, you want to go cruising?
We shall be dealing with the various training options in greater detail later, but it s important that newcomers enjoy their first experience afloat. Undeniably, the sea can at times be demanding, but sailing is statistically a very safe sport. On a sound boat, properly equipped and skippered by someone who has the right technical knowledge and inspires confidence in his crew, most people soon feel at ease with the exciting new sensations of what was once an unfamiliar environment. So it is very important that you have a small taste before you commit to the full meal, and there are a number of ways you can do this:

Enrol with an RYA approved sailing school for a Start Yachting Course . These are often held over a weekend and provide a short introduction to cruising. You live aboard for the duration. No previous experience is necessary and you will learn basic skills such as steering, sail handling, ropework and safety procedures.

For: You know you are in the hands of a qualified skipper and that the yacht is properly equipped. All tuition will be in line with the RYA curriculum and the sea time will count towards your Competent Crew certificate.

Against: The sailing school will charge a fee for the course typically about 190 per head.

Sail on a friend s boat. This is the way many people get into cruising, but it s not without potential pitfalls. Much depends upon the qualifications and temperament of the skipper some are competent and instil a sense of calm, others are less reassuring. Unfortunately, you can t always judge the skipper by your knowledge of him or her ashore. People can become different when put under stress.

For: If the chemistry works, there can t be a more pleasant introduction to sailing. You may be asked to contribute to day to day expenses but - unless it s an MCA coded vessel the owner is not allowed to charge for charter .

Against: Any tuition you receive will be informal and might not conform or could even conflict with RYA guidelines. You cannot be sure that all the appropriate safety equipment is carried or that it s in date.

Skippered flotilla charter, with a suitably qualified person in charge of the boat. Flotillas are invariably led by a lead boat, whose skipper determines the route and has overall control over the flotilla.

For: Flotilla charters typically last at least a week and are often in exotic locations, such as the Mediterranean. The yacht will have been maintained to a proper standard and should be compliant with recognised safety standards. The flotilla leader is responsible for any mechanical problems that arise.

Against: Once more there are costs involved. Assuming our skipper is a professional, his services must be added to costs of chartering the boat.

Buy an inexpensive yacht, start locally and learn as you go along. Perhaps take advantage of some own boat tuition to get to grips with the basics.

For: Lots of flexibility: You can come and go as you please in short, be your own master. No doubt there will be pride of ownership, a satisfying experience in its own right. If you find the right boat and look after it properly, you can reasonably expect to sell it later for pretty much what you paid. This means that, in the long term, you should only be out of pocket by the costs of its upkeep.

Against: This has the potential to be the most financially risky introduction, especially for the inexperienced. Although there are cheaper boats around that might suit you, there are also lots of horrors, particularly at the budget end of the market. Great caution is needed a subject we shall be returning to in much greater depth later.