This course will run on Tuesday 7th & Wednesday 8th May 2024 at RMYS with a preparatory evening on Saturday 4th May 6pm - 9pm.

We are pleased to offer you the chance to hone your skills and log some sea miles, while participating in a great adventure to Queenscliff  (Geelong or Blairgowrie).

Course Prerequisites

Water confident and the skills, knowledge and experience you've gained from completing the Start Crewing, Start Helming courses or previous sailing background.

Who should do this course?

Any sailor that already have an experience of sailing and would like to prepare an individual project to cruise. Any sailor that want to build miles and selfconfidence.

Course Content ?

Preparatory evening: Destination Queenscliff (or Geelong, or Blairgowrie if a better weather option).

• Discussion of roles and responsibilities
• Chart work, plotting the course, down the West Channel.
• Tides – planning optimum time to transit West Channel, and enter Queenscliff.
• Weather – including deciding whether to go or not.
• Preparing a navigation plot detailing headings, distances and times with particular attention to understanding navigation marks and timings down the West channel to Queenscliff.
• And back – the reverse of the trip to Queenscliff.
• Contingency plans – “bolt holes”
• Simple catering (lunch down, and back) snacks, hot beverages

Day 1: 

• Meet at nominally 9:00 to 10:30 (will change based on time of tides, and weather) Brief, and board our vessel in the RMYS marina.
• Sail to Queenscliff via the West Channel
• Enter “the cut” do some practice manoeuvres around Queenscliff Yacht club
• Find our allocated pen. Discuss manoeuvres for mooring in a tide. Execute.
• Use Marina facilities for toilet, showers etc.
• Check in at chosen accommodation.
• Reconvene for evening meal.

Day 2:

• Reconvene for breakfast.
• Discuss up to date forecast, plan changes that may be consequent.
• Check out of marina, leave, go south to look at the Rip, lights etc. (This from east of a line between Draper’s reef and point Nepean.)
• Enter the West Channel, commence home journey.
• Arrive RMYS around 4:30 to 6:00 pm.

During the crossing of Port Phillip (around 8 to 10 hours in total) participants will have the opportunity to nominate, and receive coaching in, skills they want to address.

*this course does not include accomodation and meal.

Our Vessel:

previously raced as a category 2 vessel, this Farr 10.20m has been examined by Australian Sailing, and approved as a training vessel for RMYS, and has a certificate of operation (AMSA) for 2C – non passenger, smooth waters. This means it can operate as a training vessel with up to 6 people on board, anywhere in Port Phillip.

• Berth accommodation for 5 adults (however – sleeping on board is NOT offered.)
• Full functioning head and washroom.
• 2 burner stove with grill and oven.
• All kitchen utensils,
• 500 litres of water,
• 90 litres of diesel.
• A new Volvo 3 cylinder diesel and sail drive (around 100 hours total),
• electric anchor winch,
• Life raft (8 person),
• VHF and HF radios GPS navigation.

Commercially insured with Club Marine insurance.

Course Cost: $490

*Please note that a payment gateway fee of 2% + $1.60 applies to all online transactions

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