CRYA Sailing Certifications

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Competent Crew is the foundation course of the C.R.Y.A. series. It includes the parts and systems of a boat and what they do, how a boat sails and how to sail a boat, how to perform basic operations like docking and anchoring and what to do in emergencies. The course qualifies the sailor to serve as crew on sailboats up to fifty feet in length. 

Day Skipper is the intermediate course in the C.R.Y.A. series. In this course the sailor refines and deepens the sailing skills and knowledge gained in Competent Crew. In addition, the sailor also learns how to navigate in the boat’s home waters and how to skipper a boat in those waters within sight of land in moderate weather.

Coastal Navigation gives the sailor the navigation knowledge and skills required to safely navigate a sailing or power vessel in coastal or inland waters within sight of land. It includes the use of charts, compasses, tide and current data, depth sounders, along with time and distance calculations and voyage planning. The sailor puts this knowledge and skills to use in the Coastal Skipper standard.

Coastal Skipper is the advanced course in the C.R.Y.A. series where the sailor combines and enhances all the skills achieved in the first three standards. Using the practical side of Coastal Navigation, the sailor will plan and carry out a three to five day coastal cruise under the supervision of the instructor. After achieving this level the sailors’ knowledge and skills are such that they can command a sailing vessel for extended periods away from their home port.

Yachtmaster Offshore is the introduction to open Ocean Sailing, you will prepare the boat for offshore passage making, inspecting the standing rigging, thru hulls, safety equipment, running rigging as well as sail selection, reefing systems, mechanical and electrical systems prior to leaving the dock.  This course is usually 14 to 15 days in duration and you will travel between 750 and 1000 nautical miles.  This will include an introduction to watch keeping, meal preparation, navigation, use of electronics, radar and weather and may also include the use of flying sails such as cruising spinnakers and more traditional spinnaker sets-ups using a pole, downhaul, topping lift, sheets and guys.  

Yachtmaster Ocean continues to build upon the skills acquired in the Yachtmaster Offshore course. This designation is the highest possible Yachting designation that can be achieved by the recreational yachtsman.  Before Yachtmaster Ocean can be awarded, the candidate must be recommended by a CRYA Certified sailing school or Instructor Evaluator.  The candidate must have completed a minimum of 5000 nautical miles under sail and have a log book that documents these. The CRYA Board of Directors will review the application and recommendations are based on their findings. The Yachtmaster Ocean workbook will include extensive material dealing with yacht preparation, meal planning, equipment spares, watchkeeping schedules, energy sources and preservation, electronic aids to navigation, weather GRIB files, storm tactics and setting and retrieving a drogue or sea anchor.