Short course300 h · Online · 5 modules

Advanced Sailing Course

Master the art of advanced sailing and take your skills to the next level. This intensive course is designed for experienced sailors who want to refine their technique and explore new horizons. You will learn to get the best performance from your boat, make strategic decisions in demanding conditions and handle the complexities of wind and current, becoming a safe, efficient sailor ready for whatever the sea brings.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules5
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About the program

What is the Advanced Sailing Course?

This short course takes experienced sailors beyond the basics. You will revisit the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic principles that govern a sailing yacht; fine-tune sails, sheets, travelers, vang, backstay and halyards; balance the center of effort, center of lateral resistance, heel and helm load; perfect tacks, gybes, reefing and sail changes, including downwind sails; sail safely in strong winds and heavy seas; respond to man overboard, loss of steering and rig damage; and read true and apparent wind, shifts, gusts and lulls to optimize your route, VMG and tactical choices in racing or offshore cruising.

What sets this course apart: a detailed focus on sail optimization, from fine trim to choosing the right sails for the conditions; strategy and tactics built on weather analysis, route planning and race decision-making; advanced maneuvers such as spinnaker and gennaker handling and tacking and gybing in difficult conditions; attention to night sailing, instruments and navigation lights; emergency management for breakages and extreme weather; and an applied project in which you plan, execute on paper and evaluate an advanced passage or race for a specific yacht and crew.

Program typeShort course
ModeOnline
Duration300 hours
Modules5
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Boat performance: aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, fine trim and helm balance.
  • Advanced maneuvers: tacks, gybes, reefing and handling of headsails, mainsail and downwind sails.
  • Heavy weather sailing: reducing sail, managing the rig and deciding when to seek shelter.
  • Emergencies: man overboard, loss of steering, partial rig failure and crew fatigue.
  • Strategy and tactics: reading the wind, route optimization, VMG and race positioning.
  • Applied project: an advanced sailing plan with trim, tactics, safety and performance review.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Advanced Sailing Course

5 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Refining sailing technique, fine-tuning the boat and advanced performance control in different sea and wind conditions

  • 1.1. Advanced review of the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic principles that govern the behavior and overall performance of a sailing yacht
  • 1.2. Fine tuning of sails, sheets, travelers, vang, backstay, halyards and other trim controls to optimize power, balance and speed
  • 1.3. Advanced interpretation of the balance between center of effort, center of lateral resistance, heel and helm load in demanding sailing
  • 1.4. Techniques for controlling the yacht at different angles to the wind, with emphasis on efficiency, stability and using the boat's full potential
  • 1.5. Correcting performance losses caused by poor trim, excessive heel, unnecessary drag and helming errors
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Advanced maneuvers, sail transitions and technical management of the yacht in high-level sailing

  • 2.1. Perfecting tacks and gybes with precise control of the boat, the sails and crew coordination
  • 2.2. Advanced course changes in medium and strong winds, minimizing loss of speed and maintaining balance
  • 2.3. Technical management of reefing, reducing sail area and adapting the sail plan to rising wind and changing conditions
  • 2.4. Hoisting, lowering and controlling headsails, mainsail and downwind sails in advanced sailing contexts
  • 2.5. Coordinating complex maneuvers on board: allocation of tasks, operating sequence, communication and risk control during execution
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Sailing in demanding conditions, heavy weather management and decision-making in complex maritime scenarios

  • 3.1. Advanced techniques for sailing in strong winds, rough seas, gusts, cross seas and other highly demanding scenarios for the crew
  • 3.2. Managing the boat in heavy weather: reducing sail, dynamic balance, protecting the structure and controlling loads on the rig
  • 3.3. Hard upwind sailing, demanding reaching and downwind sailing in adverse seas while maintaining safety, control and efficient progress
  • 3.4. Decisions on route, shelter, postponing maneuvers and prioritizing safety in compromised weather conditions
  • 3.5. Advanced procedures to prevent and respond to incidents: man overboard, loss of steering, partial rig failure and crew fatigue
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Strategic sailing, reading the wind, route optimization and performance techniques for racing or advanced cruising

  • 4.1. Advanced reading of true and apparent wind, identifying shifts, gusts, lulls and pressure changes across the sailing area
  • 4.2. Optimizing sailing routes according to wind angle, current, sea state, traffic and time or efficiency goals
  • 4.3. Upwind, reaching and downwind strategies focused on VMG, boat control and continuous performance improvement
  • 4.4. Tactical fundamentals for coastal and race courses: positioning, covering, choice of tacks and anticipation
  • 4.5. Integrating navigation instruments, wind data and direct observation to support tactical and strategic decisions on board
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Applied project in advanced sailing: technical planning, operational execution and evaluation of boat and crew performance

  • 5.1. Definition of the case study: type of yacht, passage or course profile, expected conditions and technical goals
  • 5.2. Preparation of the advanced sailing plan: route, weather, sail strategy, planned maneuvers and crew organization
  • 5.3. Design of the trim scheme, performance monitoring and tactical decision-making for each phase of the chosen passage
  • 5.4. Integration of safety protocols, contingency management and criteria for adapting to changes in wind, sea and workload
  • 5.5. Technical evaluation of boat and crew performance: maneuvers, speed, control, efficiency, safety and quality of execution
At this stage
60 hestimated workload
5 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Advanced Sailing Course

It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
6
months to finish
25 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Advanced Sailing Course

01Master advanced trim techniques, adjusting halyard, sheet and vang tension to control sail shape and maximize efficiency for each wind angle and strength.
02Manage resources on board for long passages, planning provisions, fuel and water and adjusting consumption to actual conditions and the forecast.
03Respond effectively to emergencies and carry out advanced safety maneuvers, prioritizing crew safety and damage control in fire, flooding or abandonment.
04Interpret complex weather information, combining short- and medium-range forecasts and synoptic charts to optimize the route and minimize risk.
05Use electronic navigation systems to fix position and lay accurate courses, cross-checking GPS, instruments and compass and judging their reliability.
06Lead and coordinate the crew in clearly defined roles, communicating effectively to keep the boat safe and efficient even under high pressure.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Advanced Sailing Course

01Sailing instructorteaching advanced sailing techniques in sailing schools, clubs and active tourism companies.
02Recreational yacht skippercharter, private hire and nautical event companies, taking groups sailing.
03Racing sailorcompeting in national and international regattas as part of a racing crew.
04Water sports activity leadersummer camps and outdoor centers, supervising and teaching sailing to young people and adults.
05Nautical consultantadvising individuals or companies on buying, selling or equipping sailing yachts.
06Crew on offshore sailing yachtslong-distance passages as professional or volunteer crew.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Advanced Sailing Course

Advanced sailing involves more autonomy and responsibility: longer passages, crew management, complex weather and more refined trim and maneuvering, whereas basic sailing focuses on essential skills in controlled conditions close to the coast.

Safety first: make the most of favorable winds and currents, avoid storms and areas of prolonged calm and take the season into account. Module 4 covers route optimization and module 3 decision-making in poor weather.

Yes. Module 2 covers hoisting, lowering and controlling headsails, mainsail and downwind sails, as well as tacks, gybes and reefing in stronger winds.

Both. Trim, maneuvers and heavy weather apply to any yacht, and the strategy module covers both race tactics and route optimization for advanced cruising.

No. The course teaches advanced sailing skills; official recreational licenses are issued by the competent maritime authority after its own requirements and exams.

You choose a yacht and a passage or race, prepare the sailing plan with route, weather, sail strategy and crew organization, and evaluate the expected performance of boat and crew.

The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of about 60 hours each and ends with an applied project. It is taught fully online, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at experienced sailors who want to refine their technique and boat performance, offshore skippers who want to deepen their knowledge of weather and emergency management, racing sailors who want to improve strategy, tactics and crew coordination, sailing instructors updating their methods, and sailing enthusiasts looking for a personal challenge. A recreational skipper's license or higher and previous sailing experience as skipper or crew are recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and software to view PDF documents and weather charts.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $200 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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