Big Boat Sailing Course

Teaching you how to skipper yachts of 50ft plus

Taking your family or group of friends out on a sailing trip in the comfort of a larger yacht with plenty of space for all and with extra comforts such as en-suite cabins, a generator and air conditioning is something most of us have thought about. Arguably, such creature comforts are just what you need to tempt ‘land lubbers’ who have yet to experience the sheer joy of sailing and exploring on a yacht  to give sailing a go. On the other hand, if you have not sailed and skippered a large yacht before, it can be a pretty daunting prospect.

This is a 7 night course in total, run on an Ocean Star 51.1, a classic big yacht with 4 en suite guest cabins plus a skipper / instructor cabin, and is fitted with a generator, air-conditioning, bow-thruster plus all the usual electronics and instrumentation.

From £750pp

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Courses

Sailing Area

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Training Yacht

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Dates & Prices

Sail & Stay

Sailing Onboard Oceanstar 51.1

Course Details

Our “Big Yacht Course” is aimed at the skipper who has experience on smaller yachts but aspires to bigger, and aims to build your confidence and enhance your skippering skills in a number of areas. This course is suitable for RYA Day or Coastal Skippers, or those with an ICC or other suitable national qualification. Ideally you will have 4-5 weeks of charter experience, whether on flotilla or bareboat charter.

Syllabus

  • Handling and close-quarters maneuvering including correct use of the bow-thruster
  • Anchoring and mooring techniques including Mediterranean stern-to mooring
  • Advanced sail trim in a range of conditions from light airs to heavy weather
  • Managing an inexperienced crew and ensuring they get the best out of the experience
  • Looking after your charter yacht, understanding the systems on board plus basic do’s and don’ts
  • Basics on trouble shooting and ‘on the go’ fixes
  • Choosing the right yacht for your party

Next Steps

We hope that once you have been on this course, you’ll have the relevant experience to be able to charter larger yachts, whether that be with family or friends as part of a flotilla or perhaps try a bareboat charter in that bucket-list destination. We can, of course, advise you on the best choices for your next charter.

Oceanstar 51 in Vathi Methana

Sailing Area

Initially we will be running this course from our base in Korfos in the Saronic Gulf – and ideal point from which to explore the Saronic / 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, perfect to push your skills, gain confidence and broaden your horizons.

Saronic Explorer Map

Weather Icon for winds and other weather conditions for the flotilla

Weather & Sailing Conditions

The Saronic Gulf provides ideal sailing conditions for most of the year, with moderate winds and calm seas. The prevailing winds are generally westerly or southwesterly, creating consistent sailing conditions. However, during the summer months, the Meltemi, a strong northerly wind, can occasionally bring choppy waters. Water temperatures stay warm enough to swim until the end of December.

Highlights

Oceanstar 51 Anchored Cyclades

The Yacht

Our Ocean Star yachts are perfectly suited for training to sail a larger yacht. With their modern navigation and safety equipment, these licensed charter yachts provide a safe and comfortable journey. Offering two double and two twin guest cabins with en suite shower/wc, along with a separate crew cabin, they ensure ample accommodation.

They have a well-equipped kitchen, complete with two large fridges and a gas cooker, which allows for easy meal preparation, while the spacious saloon and dining area provide a comfortable setting for relaxation. Additionally, the yachts feature a music system in both the saloon and cockpit, including an auxiliary input, creating a lively atmosphere. With generous foredecks for sunbathing and a welcoming cockpit, these yachts offer the perfect blend of comfort and outdoor enjoyment.

Floorplan for Oceanstar 51

Dates and prices

Seafarer Training Greece 2025 Prices (per week)

Price per person, per weekSharing a cabin for 2Special OfferSingle occupancy of a cabinSpecial Offer
20-April£895£1,315
27-April£895£1,315
4-May£895£1,315
11-May£895£1,315
18-May£995£1,415
25-May£995£1,415
1-June£995£1,415
8-June£995£1,415
15-June£995£1,415
22-June£995£1,415
29-June£1,095£1,595
6-July£1,095£1,595
13-July£1,095£1,595
20-July£1,095£1,595
27-July£1,095£1,595
3-August£1,095£1,595
10-August£1,095£1,595
17-August£1,095£1,595
24-August£1,095£1,595
31-August£1,095£1,595
7-September£1,095£1,595
14-September£995£1,415
21-September£995£1,415
28-September£995£1,415
5-October£995£1,415
12-October£995£1,415
19-October£995£1,415
26-October£895£1,315

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

Whats Included

Small Yacht Icon6 Days Tuition with an RYA Instructor

Anchor IconMooring Fees

Diesel Fuel IconFuel & other yacht running costs

Linen and Towels IconBed Linen & towels

Salad and Kebabs icon for beach partyProvisions for breakfast & a light lunch

Optional Extras

Private IconMake the yacht private (4 pax) – 50% of 5th person price

ICCICC Assessment – £100pp (Stand alone)

Booking a Training Course

To book or check availability get in touch with our experienced team on one of the links below.

Getting there and away

There are a multitude of ways to travel to our base in Nikiana, whether you are joining us for the week or combining it with a larger trip. We are located in Nikiana Harbour, right in the heart of the village, which is easily reachable by both public and private transport. Courses in the Ionian run from Sunday to Sunday with training yachts being available to embark from around 14.00 onwards on the first day and disembarking around 9.00 at the end of the course. The instruction starts at 9.00 on the Monday morning and finishes at around 17.00 on the Saturday evening.

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ATOL protection

Your flight inclusive holiday with us (should you choose this option) is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed, making the entire package ATOL protected. We have been trading since 1995 so you can book with total confidence.

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Flights

Sunday charter flights available from Gatwick alongside scheduled flights from Heathrow, Stanstead, Luton, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh. Flights to other European centres available both on Sundays and other days during the week.

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Bus & Taxi

Direct Seafarer transfers from Preveza airport that takes roughly 30 minutes. Regular buses from Nikiana harbour to Nydri, Vassiliki and Lefkas town, from Lefkas town there are regular buses to Athens and Corinth plus less frequent services to Thessaloniki and Igoumenitsa.

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Ferry

Regular ferries from Kefalonia to Vassiliki (40 minutes from base) and from Meganisi to Nydri (10 minutes from base). Less frequent ferries from Corfu, Paxos, Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zante to Lefkas town (15 minutes from base).

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Seafarer