RYA DINGHY SAILING COURSES
RYA Sailing courses for beginners to advanced, learn to sail at Scotland’s finest sailing centre combining sailing tuition with a holiday atmosphere. All the RYA dinghy sailing courses are available. A wide variety of dinghy sailing courses are available on boats selected to suit your ability. Tuition, instruction and lessons from RYA qualified instructors. The fleet is exceptional and you will be equipped with all the necessary clothing. RYA Certificates can be gained.
Age & Previous Experience
The age range for all courses in this section is 16+. If booking a family group we will consider taking younger children. Please call to discuss. The course date does not suit? we can also run tailored courses outside the advertised programme.
Late Availability!
- 04/09/2010 Dinghy Try a Day
Dinghy Try A Day
Age 16 +
An opportunity to “give it a go”. Try the exciting sport of dinghy sailing, going afloat with our experienced instructors to find out what it is all about. These days can combine with a Windsurfing or Kayak “Try a Day” to make a weekend of new activities. Also if you subsequently book onto any of our 2 day (or longer) dinghy courses the cost of this day will be deducted from that course.
Cost £40
- 1 May 10
- 12 June 10
- 4 July 10
- 8 Aug 10
- 4 Sept 10
RYA Day Sailing
Age 16 +
For those who wish to explore coastal locations by dinghy. This course requires some competence in basic dinghy sailing. You will develop basic navigational skills and become more self sufficient and confident afloat.
- Related :
Cost £180
- 2 July 10 - 4 July 10
- 20 Aug 10 - 22 Aug 10
RYA Start Sailing (Level 1)
Age 16 +
This is the course to get your sailing started. Designed for the beginner sailor, quality instruction and ideal boats will ensure enjoyment and quick learning in a safe environment. The boats which are most likely to be used to deliver this course are the laser stratos’s, laser bahia’s and picos. Click on equipment to see an image of each.
We recommend that you follow on from this course with the two day basic skills course. This will ensure good progression and solid knowledge base.
- Related :
- RYA Seamanship Skills
Low Season Cost £165
- 30 Apr 10 - 2 May 10
- 28 May 10 - 30 May 10
- 3 Sept 10 - 5 Sept 10
High Season Cost £180
- 25 June 10 - 27 June 10
- 23 July 10 - 25 July 10
- 20 Aug 10 - 22 Aug 10
RYA Basic Skills (Level 2)
Age 16 +
This course is designed for the beginner sailor. It has an interesting syllabus covering both practical and theory aspects of sailing. On completion of this course you should be able to sail confidently without an instructor on board. You will be able to rig, launch and sail your own dinghy. See also alternative two day option.
The boats which are most likely to be used to deliver this course are the laser stratos’s, laser bahia’s and picos. Click on equipment to see an image of each.
- Related :
- RYA Basic Skills Course (Level 2)
Low Season Cost £380
- 12 Apr 10 - 16 Apr 10
- 3 May 10 - 7 May 10
High Season Cost £399
- 28 June 10 - 2 July 10
- 23 Aug 10 - 27 Aug 10
Beginners Singlehanded
Previous experience is helpful but not essential. This is a perfect way to get plenty of practice, sail independently yet enjoy being part of a group.
- Related :
Low Season Cost £165
- 7 May 10 - 9 May 10
- 10 Sept 10 - 12 Sept 10
High Season Cost £180
- 16 July 10 - 18 July 10
RYA Basic Skills Course (Level 2)
Age 16 +
This shorter Basic Skills course requires you to have completed the 2 day Start Sailing Course (see learn to sail section) or have some previous experience before attending.
- Related :
- RYA Basic Skills (Level 2)
Low Season Cost £165
- 21 May 10 - 23 May 10
- 10 Sept 10 - 12 Sept 10
High Season Cost £180
- 18 June 10 - 20 June 10
- 30 July 10 - 1 Aug 10
RYA Seamanship Skills
Age 16 +
This is an improver course requiring some competence in basic dinghy sailing. Other aspects of sailing such as anchoring and rudderless sailing are introduced. A must for learning an assortment of all-round skills and developing independence.
- Related :
- RYA Start Sailing (Level 1)
Low Season Cost £165
- 17 Sept 10 - 19 Sept 10
High Season Cost £180
- 4 June 10 - 6 June 10
- 9 July 10 - 11 July 10
- 27 Aug 10 - 29 Aug 10
RYA Start Racing
Age 16 +
An introduction to the principles of racing aimed at those with some competence in basic dinghy sailing. Enjoy the competitive element in a relaxed yet informative environment.
- Related :
Cost £180
- 13 Aug 10 - 15 Aug 10
Go Further
Age 16 +
An improver course aimed to take you to advance levels! The Go Further course teaches you the skills to become an independent sailor and follows the content of the RYA Seamanship and Day Sailing modules although the tuition can also be geared towards the needs of the individuals on the course.
- Related :
- Go Faster
Cost £399
- 17 May 10 - 21 May 10
Go Faster
Age 16 +
A high level course combining aspects from the RYA Spinnaker and Performance sailing course. This course provides an intensive week of tailored coaching to aimed at producing sailiors of an advanced standard.
- Related :
- Go Further
Cost £399
- 12 Apr 10 - 16 Apr 10
Catamaran Sailing
Age 16 +
High speeds, wet and fun, catamarans can give you all three! Cats offer great excitement for all sailors and are ideal for learning trapezing techniques. Some previous sailing experience is required.
- Related :
Cost £165
- 14 May 10 - 16 May 10
Cost £180
- 30 July 10 - 1 Aug 10
RYA Sailing with Spinnakers
Advance your sailing and in modern asymmetric spinnaker boats and have great fun whilst enhancing boat handling skills. This course requires competent sailing skills.
- Related :
- RYA Performance Sailing
Low Season Cost £165
- 7 May 10 - 9 May 10
- 24 Sept 10 - 26 Sept 10
High Season Cost £180
- 16 July 10 - 18 July 10
RYA Performance Sailing
Age 16 +
A progressive course for experienced and competent dinghy sailors. This course will give you a chance to improve boat handling skills in performance dinghies. We will focus on both crewing and helming techniques including spinnaker and trapeze work.
- Related :
- RYA Sailing with Spinnakers
Cost £180
- 23 Apr 10 - 25 Apr 10
- 3 Sept 10 - 5 Sept 10
Advanced Singlehanded
Age 16 +
Learn how to tweak that extra bit of speed from your boat and its sail. A great opportunity to improve your skills through flexible and tailored coaching. Previous sailing experience required.
- Related :
Cost £180
- 9 Apr 10 - 11 Apr 10
- 8 Oct 10 - 10 Oct 10
Circumnavigation of Great Cumbrae Island
Age 16 +
Familiarisation, learning and practice in the dinghies on the Saturday then on the Sunday, weather permitting, a circumnavigation of Great Cumbrae island. This will be the preferred route however there are plenty of alternatives. This course is aimed at all levels of sailors as our instructors can be on board to sail with the less experienced in the group.
Cost £180
- 9 July 10 - 11 July 10
Evening Dinghy Sailing: Adult and Family
If you are relatively local to Largs or Cumbrae this is the ideal way of getting afloat and enjoying the summer evenings. All kit is provided. Suitable for beginners and experienced sailors. Transport available from and to Largs Yacht Haven. Pick up 6pm sharp and return for 9pm. Due to the huge popularity of the evening sailing, all evening sessions must now be booked and paid for by the block in advance. Refunds cannot be given in the event of non attendance.
- Related :
- Dinghy Try A Day
Block Two (4 x Evenings) Cost £80
- 7 June 10 - 28 June 10
Block One & Three (5 x Evenings) Cost £100
- Block 23 May 10 - 31 May 10
- Block 32 Aug 10 - 30 Aug 10
Better Sailing (Level 3)
The two day module gives you the chance to consolidate those Level 2 skills. As a refresher course or simply a taste of what's on offer in the advanced modules; ordering off our 'syllubus menu' gives a super flexible course matched straight to your needs.
- Related :
Low season Residential Cost £165
- 21 May 10 - 23 May 10
High season Residential Cost £180
- 16 July 10 - 18 July 10
- 27 Aug 10 - 29 Aug 10












