5-Day Skills & Drills Course
Sail Squad’s Skills & Drills Course is designed for sailors who already know how to sail but want focused time on the water to refine techniques.
This course is perfect for skippers looking to practice skills that often don’t come up when sailing with friends. You’ll work on important manoeuvres such as man-overboard (MOB) recovery under sail, blind navigation, reversing into a tight berth, and sailing onto a mooring.
Whether you are preparing for the Coastal Skipper qualification, working toward your Yachtmaster Offshore certification, refreshing your skills before a bareboat charter, or getting back into sailing after a break, this refresher course offers five days of personalised coaching on the water.
There is no fixed syllabus; instead, you’ll enjoy structured, instructor-led sessions tailored to your skill level and sailing goals.
What This Course Covers
This course is designed around you. Your instructor will take the time to understand your goals, identify areas for improvement, and tailor the week to ensure you get exactly what you need. Expect plenty of helm time, clear coaching, and the chance to repeat key techniques until they become second nature.
Here are some of the core skills you’ll likely cover:
- Close-quarters boat handling under sail and power
- Reversing into tight spaces and using prop walk to your advantage
- Man overboard (MOB) drills under sail and engine
- Points of sail and trimming
- Approaching mooring buoys under sail and power
- Tacking and gybing
- Spinnaker handling (conditions permitting)
- Boat preparation
- Anchoring and berthing techniques
- Shorthand berthing and decision-making
- Intricate pilotage and night or blind navigation
- Passage planning and tidal restrictions
- Mediterranean mooring
Just Want to Focus on Marina Manoeuvres?
Take a look at our Boat Handling Weekend; two intensive days of berthing, manoeuvring, and power handling decision making.
Who Is This Course For?
Skippers Who Want More Practice
If you’ve passed your Day Skipper course but don’t feel confident handling a boat in all situations, this course gives you structured time to improve with guidance and support.
Getting Back into Sailing after a Break
Many participants join us to refresh their skills after some time away from sailing. This course offers a safe and professional environment to help you regain confidence and update your skills.
Pre-Charter Preparation
If you have a charter holiday planned and have gained a skipper’s licence in the UK, this is a perfect way to get current with procedures you’ll likely be using before setting off in unfamiliar waters.
Yachtmaster Pre-Prep
Get a head start on your Yachtmaster journey. This course allows you to strengthen skills and identify areas to focus on before committing to an official prep week.
New or Soon-To-Be Boat Owners
Owning a yacht comes with a steep learning curve. This course is designed to help you practice skippering shorthanded and learn how to safely manage a boat under your responsibility.
Individuals Pursuing a Yachting Career
If you’re working toward a professional yachting career, whether as a commercial skipper, instructor, or delivery crew, this course is a smart way to build and improve your skippering confidence and precision expected in the industry before doing your RYA sailing courses.
Building Confidence Before Day Skipper
Those who have completed Competent Crew and want additional training before taking the Day Skipper course.
Price – From £709 Per Person (Season Dependent)
- Location: Port Hamble, Solent, UK
- Duration: 5 days (Monday to Friday or Saturday to Wednesday)
- Group Size: Max 5 participants per yacht
- Yacht: 37ft Sail Squad training yacht
- Instructor: RYA qualified full-time Sail Squad instructor
Ready to Refresh Your Sailing Skills?
Whether you’re preparing for a charter, planning a professional route into yachting, or preparing for an RYA Sailing course, Sail Squad’s Skills & Drills week is a relaxed way to round out your skippering skills.
Can’t See a Date That Works for You?
If none of the available course dates suit your schedule, just get in touch. We’ll do our best to organise a week that works for you or offer alternatives that fit your availability.
Why Choose Sail Squad for Your Skills Week
Family-Run & Friendly
Enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere where you’re treated like a priority in our small sailing school.
Solent-Based Learning
Train in the Solent, one of the UK’s most dynamic and varied sailing areas, perfect for real-world skippering experience.
Support That Lasts
Need advice after the course? Whether it’s planning your next RYA course or doing a mile builder, we’re always here for advice.
Flexible Course Dates
We offer a range of scheduled course dates. If you don’t see one that fits your schedule perfectly, just give us a call!
Tailored to You
Your instructor will assess your level from the outset and develop a plan tailored to your strengths, goals, and areas for improvement.
Top-Quality Instruction
Learn from passionate, full-time instructors who bring knowledge and patience to every session.
FAQs
We’ve covered the most common questions to help you get started. If there’s anything else you need, just drop us a message. We’re always happy to chat.
No, but this course is for sailors with some experience, ideally to the RYA Day Skipper level. You should be familiar with basic navigation and boat handling.
No. There is no exam or formal qualification at the end. It’s purely about skills development and confidence building.
The fee includes tuition from an experienced RYA instructor, use of a fully equipped 37ft sail training yacht, and all necessary safety gear. Main meals are not included, and you are expected to cater for yourself.
Absolutely. Most of our students come on their own. You’ll join a small group of like-minded sailors working together throughout the week.
Yes. That’s the point. We’ll ask you in advance about your priorities, whether it’s berthing, spinnaker handling, MOB drills, or navigation, and build the week around the crew’s needs.
Definitely. Many use it as a “pre-prep week” before starting a formal Yachtmaster Offshore preparation course. It’s a great way to go into the course focused and more settled.
We’ll adapt the plan accordingly. Safety always comes first, but there’s still plenty we can cover, from pilotage and engine troubleshooting to simulated exercises under power.
We don’t offer these skills & drills as a weekend; however, we do offer Boat Handling Weekends.