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3-DAY BASIC SAILING COURSE

BEGINNER SAILING COURSE

A condensed three-day program focused on key practical sailing skills: hoisting and lowering sails, basic trimming, tacking and gybing, and the basics of navigation and safe handling of a sailing yacht.

Duration3 days
AccommodationOn board
ParticipantsMax. 6
Price700-1100 EUR
LocationPunat, Krk Island
PrerequisitesNone
Basic Sailing Course
NAS Sailing Center

Course Format

3 DAYS OF NAVIGATION AND SAILING AROUND KVARNER

  • Locations: Punat / Kvarner
  • Vessel: Salona 45 (2003)
  • Group: 4–6 participants
  • Schedule: 9–17 (8 h/day)

Course Objectives

  • Understand the logic of sailing upwind ("into the wind") and sailing downwind, and how changes in angle to the wind affect speed, stability and control of the vessel.
  • Adopt the basics of sail trimming: what "good trim" means, how to recognize it and correct it (sheet, traveler/slider, vang, sheets and other basic controls), with a focus on simple, repeatable rules.
  • Practice basic maneuvers: tack and gybe, with proper crew coordination, clear commands and safe execution in real conditions.
  • Develop practical skipper habits for short cruising: planning the daily route, estimating sailing time, selecting safe anchorages, buoy fields and marinas.
  • Develop competencies for making safe decisions: assessment of weather and sea conditions, timely reduction of sail area and choosing a safer option when conditions become more demanding.
  • Practice picking up and securing to a buoy: safe approach, vessel control and clear crew roles.
  • Adopt correct anchoring: selection of location, sufficient chain length and checking whether the anchor is holding.

Course Program

1 DAY 1 — DEPARTURE FROM PUNAT, CRUISING AND MANEUVERS

  • Route planning: basics of meteorology, passage plan, safety procedures.
  • Practice: hoisting/lowering sails, working with lines, clutches and winches, basic trim.
  • Selection of anchorage (wind, seabed, shelter, forecast) and overnight stay at anchor or buoy on one of the Kvarner islands.

2 DAY 2 — NAVIGATIONAL SAILING AND SECOND NIGHT ON THE ISLAND

  • Sailing according to the planned route: tack, gybe, sailing on a set course.
  • Entering a new bay using visual references (marks, depths, shelter), safe approach and staying at anchor (holding check, safety routines).
  • Planning the second anchorage according to forecast and conditions; overnight stay at anchor/buoy on another island.

3 DAY 3 — RETURN TO PUNAT AND INTEGRATION OF SKILLS

  • Navigational sailing back: route adjustment, reefing if necessary.
  • Taking responsibility and leading the crew (communication, role distribution).
  • Arrival in Punat, debrief and recommendations for further practice.

Note: The course program may change depending on weather conditions. The instructor will adapt the plan if necessary in order to ensure, in the given circumstances, the highest possible level of safety and course quality.