Our RYA Sailing Courses - Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster

The west coast of Scotland boasts some of the most spectacular, unspoiled Highwire transfer practice

and beautiful scenery in the world; sheltered coastal waters, innumerable lochs, remote uninhabited islands and quaint peaceful harbours and anchorage's with welcoming local hostelries. Wind your way through the Isles and the Kyle's in the west coasts unrivalled waters, considered some of the finest sailing in the world.

Sailing around Scotland's West Coast you will encounter abundant wildlife such as seals, whales and dolphins; puffins, gannets, cormorants, guillemots, skua, golden eagle and the sea eagle. The west coast is rich, not only in natural beauty but also in the history Speedwell under sail

of landscapes of a bygone age. On every course (NB: full 2008 schedule here) we are on the lookout for dolphins, whale and basking shark.

Gael Sail aims to give those interested in sail cruising, instruction up to the Royal Yachting Association/Department of Transport standards for Competent Crew, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore.

Specifically we offer the following RYA Courses - an overview of each course may be found by clicking the 'info' links in the pricing table below. All prices are for 2008.

Course Name	5 Days	6 Days	7 Days
Competent Crew (info) Day Skipper Practical (info) Coastal Skipper Practical (info) Yachtmaster Preparation (info)	£410	£490	£550
2-Day Practical Course	£165
Coastal Skipper Practical Exam	Fee £127 (Paid to the RYA)
Yachtmaster Practical Exam	Fee £147 (Paid to the RYA)
Theory Courses - residential full board Day Skipper Theory Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore - Theory	n/a	£490	n/a
6 Day daily attendance course (includes lunch and coffee)	n/a	£220	n/a
9-Day Combined Theory/Practical Course Theory and Practical tuition on board	£750
Skippered Charter whole boat + skipper	£1700	n/a	£1850
Hire of extras	Oilskins £24Boots £15

Please note that all course prices are inclusive of VAT, food, fuel, and berthing of the yacht - there are no hidden extras. A complete RYA schedule of courses for 2008 may be found here.

RYA courses are run all year round with most courses starting from Troon on the Firth of Clyde, although some Summer courses will run from Oban.

Troon is an ideal starting point for Scottish west coast sailing. A short sail to the Isle of Arran and its spectacular peaks, then around the Mull of Kintyre to the Isles of Islay and Jura or up the Clyde to the picturesque natural harbour of Tarbert on the Mull of Kintyre, the base for the popular 'Scottish Series' races in May.

Five day practical courses start on Sunday's at 7pm running through to Friday 5pm, with 7 day courses (Yachtmlaster Pre Inc. exam) starting Friday at 7pm and finishing the following Friday at 5pm.

Theory courses are run from Troon and may be residential staying in the instructors home, an old Robert Adam building (1792), on his yacht, or in a local hotel or B&B. The courses are run over 6 days (cost £490 for the residential course inclusive of all food). If you live locally or would prefer to stay elsewhere, a 6 day daily attendance theory course is offered for £220 including lunch and coffee.

Ron MacInnes, your Skipper and Instructor has been sailing for twenty-five years. In the early years his main interest was dinghy sailing when he worked as a Instructor with Youth organisations in central Scotland.

He is experienced in yacht deliveries and in recent years has concentrated on offshore racing and sailing instruction.