Special offersOffersDiscover our latest sailing holiday dealsView offersLatest deals
Speak to our sailing team 020 8324 3118Get a Quote
SET SAIL CLOSE

Big Boat Sailing Course

Big Boat Sailing Course

Our big boat sailing course teaches you to skipper yachts of 50ft and above: a 7-night hands-on course aboard an Ocean Star 51.1 in the waters around Athens.

Greece · Saronic Gulf

Get a quote

  • 7 nights
  • From £795 per person
  • Greece · Saronic Gulf
  • Ocean Star 51.1
Nights duration
7
Ocean Star training yacht
51ft
From per person (special offer)
£795
Approximate distance sailed
150nm

Overview

Big Boat Sailing Course: Skipper Yachts of 50ft and Above

RYA Training CentreCourses run by our RYA-qualified instructors

Most sailors have thought about taking family or friends out on a larger yacht, with en-suite cabins, a generator and air conditioning. Larger yachts also offer the space and comfort to tempt land-lubbers who have yet to experience the joy of sailing. But if you haven’t skippered a big yacht before, it can be a daunting prospect.

This 7-night big boat sailing course runs aboard an Ocean Star 51.1, a classic big yacht with 4 en-suite guest cabins plus a skipper/instructor cabin. It is also fitted with a generator, air conditioning, a bow-thruster, and full electronics and instrumentation.

It is suitable for RYA Day or Coastal Skippers, as well as those with an ICC or equivalent national qualification. Ideally you will have 4–5 weeks of charter experience, whether on flotilla or bareboat.

Course Details

What You Will Learn on the Big Boat Sailing Course

Specialist sailing courses in Greece: the Ocean Star 51 big boat under sail in the Saronic Gulf
Big boat sailing aboard an Ocean Star 51, one of our longer courses in Greece.
Sailing on board an Ocean Star 51.1
An Ocean Star 51 at anchor in the Cyclades

Course Content

Skills You Will Practise

  • Handling and close-quarters manoeuvring including correct use of the bow-thruster
  • Anchoring and mooring techniques including Mediterranean stern-to mooring
  • Advanced sail trim in a range of conditions, whether light airs or heavy weather
  • Managing an inexperienced crew, so that they get the best out of the experience
  • Looking after your charter yacht, including onboard systems and the basic do’s and don’ts
  • Basics of troubleshooting, as well as on-the-go fixes
  • Finally, choosing the right yacht for your party

What’s Included

Everything You Need

  • 6 days tuition with an experienced skipper
  • 7 nights accommodation in an en-suite cabin
  • Mooring fees
  • Fuel and other yacht running costs
  • Bed linen and towels
  • Provisions for breakfast and light lunch daily, as well as drinking water and unlimited tea and coffee

Note: Dinner is usually ashore, although you also have the option of self-catering on board.

Your Next Steps

After the Course

Once you complete the big boat sailing course, you will have the experience and confidence to charter larger yachts. That could be with family or friends on a flotilla, or on a bareboat charter in that bucket-list destination. We can also advise you on the best choices for your next charter.

Experience
4–5 weeks of charter
Qualification
Day Skipper, ICC or equivalent
Base
Athens coast
Big boat sailing course sailing area map: Saronic Gulf and northern Cyclades
The harbour of Hydra in the Saronic Gulf at sunset

Sailing Area

Saronic Gulf & Northern Cyclades

We run this course from our base near Athens, which is within an hour of the airport as well as accessible by public transport. It is an ideal starting point for exploring the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs, as well as the northern Cyclades.

The area provides higher volumes of marine traffic, greater sailing distances, bigger seas and more variable wind conditions. As a result, it is perfect to push your skills, gain confidence and broaden your horizons.

Your island-hopping itinerary includes a selection of islands such as Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, plus Kythnos and Kea in the Cyclades. It also takes in mainland harbours such as Nauplion, Epidavros and Lavrion. The itinerary covers around 150nm during the week, including a couple of longer passages and a night sail.

Weather & Sailing Conditions

The Saronic Gulf provides ideal conditions for broadening experience, especially moderate to fresh winds and open seas with generally westerly or southwesterly prevailing winds. During summer, the Meltemi, a strong northerly, can occasionally bring choppier waters.

The Training Yacht

Ocean Star 51.1: Big Boat Sailing in Comfort

Our Ocean Star yachts are perfectly suited for training on a larger vessel. Because they have modern navigation and safety equipment, these licensed charter yachts provide a safe and comfortable platform.

With four en-suite guest cabins, a generator and air conditioning, the yacht is as comfortable as she is capable, so you can focus on big boat handling and open water sailing.

An Ocean Star 51.1 under sail

Take a look inside the Ocean Star 51.1

Hover over the camera icons on the layout (or tap them on a phone) to see the cockpit, a double cabin, the saloon, the galley and a twin cabin.

Layout of the Ocean Star 51.1: four en-suite guest cabins, two doubles and two twins, the saloon, galley and skipper cabin

  • Cabins & Sleeping

    Four En-Suite Guest Cabins

    There are two double and two twin guest cabins, each with its own en-suite shower and WC, plus a separate crew cabin for the skipper.

  • Shared Spaces

    Saloon & Galley

    The spacious saloon has a music system, and the well-equipped galley features two large fridges and a gas cooker.

  • Exterior

    Cockpit & Foredeck

    A welcoming cockpit and a generous foredeck give you plenty of room on deck, for sail handling under way and for relaxing at anchor.

  • Comfort & Safety

    Licensed and Air-Conditioned

    Ocean Star yachts are licensed charter yachts with modern navigation and safety equipment. A generator and air conditioning keep the yacht cool in summer and warm in winter.

2026 Season

Big Boat Sailing Course Dates & Prices

Big Boat Training Greece 2026 & 2027 Prices (per week)

Price per person, per weekSharing a cabin for 2Special OfferSingle occupancy of a cabinSpecial Offer
7th Nov 2026£995£895£1,415£1,215
14th Nov 2026£995£895£1,415£1,215
21st Nov 2026£995£895£1,415£1,215
28th Nov 2026£995£895£1,415£1,215
6th Mar 2027£995£1,415
13th Mar 2027£995£1,415
20th Mar 2027£995£1,415
27th Mar 2027£995£1,415

10% multiple course discount applies when 2 or more courses are booked for an individual at the same time.

Sail & Stay

Getting There & Away

There are many ways to travel to our base on the Athens coast. Embarkation is from 17:00 on a Saturday, and you then sail the following morning.


  • Flights

    Saturday scheduled as well as low-cost flights are available from all major UK airports to Athens International Airport.


  • Bus & Taxi

    Direct Seafarer transfers from Athens International Airport take roughly 60 minutes. Alternatively, regular buses from the airport serve Olympic Marine via a connection in Markopoulo.

Seafarer Price Guarantee badge

Price Promise

The Seafarer Price Guarantee

We will not be beaten on price

If you find it cheaper elsewhere, we’ll beat it — guaranteed.

Because we are an independent company, we can keep our prices highly competitive. If you see a like-for-like product featured elsewhere cheaper, let us know and we will beat it.

This guarantee applies to yacht and accommodation rates on our Beach Club, Flotilla, Learn to Sail and Cabin Charter programmes operated by Seafarer, and is subject to availability at the time of booking.

Book Your Course

Ready to Go Big?

Get in touch with our team to check big boat sailing course availability, or to ask any questions before you book.

Call or email us

Request a quote

Tell us your dates and party size, and we’ll then come back to you with availability and prices.

Peace of mind

Book with confidence

Every payment you make to us is financially protected, from deposit to balance. Holidays with flights are covered by our ATOL licence, and holidays without flights by our ABTOT membership. Trading since 1995.


  • ATOL Protected — Licence 9511

    All flight-inclusive holidays are fully ATOL protected


  • ABTOT Member — No. 5660

    Additional protection for bookings without flights