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How to become crew on a sailing yacht

By Global Crew Finder. Published 1 October 2026.

You do not need to have crossed an ocean to crew on a sailing yacht. This guide is for beginners: where to start, what the training courses are, and how to apply for a first passage.

It makes no claim about a minimum age. Sources differ, so ask the school or the captain.

How to find positions as crew on boats

  1. Make a profile with a photo and a plain account of what you have done, even if that is not much yet.
  2. Browse Find passages and switch on the filter for passages that welcome learners.
  3. Read each passage: the route, the dates, what the captain expects and the cost terms.
  4. Apply with a short message that says why you want that passage and what you can offer.
  5. Talk to the captain before you agree, and meet or call if you can.
  6. Agree the details in writing before you book flights.

What is Competent Crew? The RYA Competent Crew syllabus

  • Reported The RYA Competent Crew course is a practical course of five days. It can be run as three weekends, as three days plus a weekend, or as three or four days after Start Yachting. No prior experience is assumed. The syllabus covers sea terms, rigging and sails, sail handling, ropework, fire precautions, personal safety equipment, man overboard, emergency equipment, meteorology, seasickness, helmsmanship and general duties.Source: RYA (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with RYA: Competent Crew practical course before you rely on it.
  • Reported RYA Start Yachting is a two-day course for people with no experience. It is open to over-16s, and to younger people if accompanied.Source: RYA (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with RYA: Start Yachting course before you rely on it.

Minimum ages differ by school and are not set out here. Ask the school before you book.

A course is not a requirement for every passage. Many captains will take a beginner who is keen and honest about what they have done; ask.

Training bodies, for the current courses:

What to bring

Ask the captain for a packing list. Safety kit such as lifejackets differs by boat, so ask what is aboard before you buy your own.

Seasickness

  • Reported The NHS lists hyoscine hydrobromide as a medicine for travel sickness and says to look at the horizon, avoid heavy meals and stay in the middle of the vehicle. Its page covers when to take it and the side effects.Source: NHS (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with NHS: hyoscine hydrobromide before you rely on it.

Talk to a pharmacist or a doctor about what suits you, and tell the captain before you sail that you are prone to it.

Where it leads: Day Skipper and beyond

A later course to know about is RYA Day Skipper. This is what schools state it asks for:

  • Typical The RYA Day Skipper practical course takes five days. Schools state the prerequisites as five days on board, 100 nautical miles and four night hours, plus Day Skipper theory or equivalent knowledge.Source: sailing schools (lcsc.org.uk and others) (commercial source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with Royal Yachting Association (RYA) before you rely on it.

Last checked 1 October 2026. The facts above come from the sources linked beside each one. We have not opened every source page ourselves; check with the organiser before you rely on it. Dates, fees, deadlines and entry rules change, and only the organiser or the authority can state them.

Find a passage that welcomes learners

Not ready to apply yet? It is free, and captains can see your experience when you do.

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