Next Step After Yacht Sailing Course

Well there are still a few choices:

1. You could join a Yacht Club, where you might get the opportunity to use the Club boats or even tag along with others for experience.
2. Investing into a Boat Share scheme.  This can be a cheaper option than full ownership. You'll be splitting the cost of ownership and any management fees.
3. Additional training days and events are available from a number of training providers, Solent Boat Training being one.  By offering bespoke events and training sessions, we partly tailor the training to your own needs.  Without a laid down syllabus to follow, these events provide the flexibility to practice certain areas or focus on more specific skills and drills that might require some additional time to master.
4. Then there is the less obvious option.  Completing the same course again at a later date.  It might sound silly to complete the course again, especially as you've already completed the syllabus already, but remember, you are likely be with a different instructor who will have other practical tips to offer.  You'll possibly be with different students and you might even be on a different boat.  And, of course, the conditions will undoubtedly be different from last time, especially with our ever-changing UK climate.  Be honest, you aren't likely to find a cheaper way of to getting onto the water, with an instructor to guide and advise you where needed.

In addition to practical boating, there are other courses or training that will benefit you as a boater.  These include:

1. RYA VHF Operators Course.  Full understanding of how a Marine Radio works, its benefits and limitations, should be considered a must for anyone mariner at sea.  Also remembering, it is a legal requirement to hold the Short Range Certificate, as an operator of such a device.
2. Navigation knowledge is also a must.  While the introductory courses offer you a basic level of navigation understanding, going it alone can prove daunting.  The RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship course is a great way to improve your understanding of how to navigate safely, using additional techniques.  This course is often offered as an online distance learning course, allowing you to complete it at your own pace and in your own home.
3. Should you be looking at undertaking a higher level of practical training, such as one of the Day Skipper courses for (motor or sail), then the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased would be the way to go.  During this course you will learn many of the techniques used, both digital and traditional, to enhance your passage planning and enjoyment whilst at sea.  The latter course can again be completed as a distance learning course. However, many prefer the interaction with an instructor and other students, where you can discuss real scenarios found in the real world as opposed to the digital or AI world we sometimes find ourselves.
4. Being able to treat someone with an injury or ailment at sea can prove difficult, so the RYA First Aid at Sea course could prove a useful adage to your knowledge and skill set.  Although a shorebased course, practical scenarios can be practiced and discussed.  This ensures that those going afloat, can best assist those who require your immediate medical attention, whilst also being able to ask for assistance or advice from the Coastguard, if required.
5. Being self sufficient at sea is a key skill and understanding how your engine ticks or not, is helpful.  Our own SBT Outboard Petrol Engine course has been designed with this in mind.  You'll be introduced to the basic fundamentals of how an engine works, what parts you as an owner user should and could service and maintain, whilst also learning about fault finding and conduct minor repairs.  The RYA's Diesel Engine course is very similar and will give you the opportunity to complete servicing tasks, such as filter and impeller changing.