This course will run on Wednesday 9th, Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th Septmeber 2026 departing from RMYS.

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: Whitsundays? The Med?

Nearer to home – Queenscliff? Apollo Bay? King Island? Refuge Cove?. Any sailor that wants to build miles and selfconfidence.

You want to know how to:

· Route Plan

· Weather Plan

· Tide Plan

· Plot

· Prepare

· Pilotage Plan

· and then Do It!

It’s more than just getting into a boat with a change of clothes and a few muesli bars!

So we’ll go to Queenscliff. It’s got weather, tides, strong currents, good food, somewhere nice to go! (and the Rip!)

The Boat: Bali Dancer, Farr 1020 10.2 m equiped 2C commercial vessel fully fitted. Possibility to cook and eat on board during navigation.

• This course does not include accommodation. You will need to book your accommodation in advance. 
• You will also need to prepare your own meals.

• Wednesday night planning session 6:30 - 8:30 pm. 
• Discussion of roles and responsibilities.
• Chart work and plotting the course down the West Channel.
• Tides: Planning the optimum time to transit the 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.
• Contingency plans: Identifying "bolt holes."
• Simple catering: Lunch, snacks, and hot beverages.

• Meet at 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (time may change based on tides and weather).
• Briefing and boarding the vessel in the RMYS marina.
• Sail to Queenscliff via the West Channel.
• Enter "the cut" and practice maneuvers around Queenscliff Yacht Club.
• Find the allocated pen and discuss maneuvers for mooring in a tide.
• Use marina facilities for toilets, showers, etc.
• Check into chosen accommodation.
• Reconvene for the evening meal.

• Reconvene for breakfast.
• Discuss the updated forecast and any plan changes.
• Check out of the marina and depart.
• Head south to observe the Rip, lights, etc. (from east of a line between Draper’s Reef and Point Nepean).
• Enter the West Channel and commence the home journey.
• Arrive at RMYS around 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

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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Note: This is not an Australian Sailing accredited course and instead is conducted by the school/club/organisation, outside of the Australian Sailing framework.