Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive `joining instructions'?

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Yes. We send out joining instructions by email within 24 hours of you making a booking. You will also receive another email with the link both 14 days and then 7 days before your course starts. You can also download them here.

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Do I need to be able to swim?

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No you don’t. Everyone wears a fully automatic life-jacket when on deck. We do ask if you can swim just so your instructor is aware from a risk assessment perspective.

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How fit do I need to be?

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Pretty much anyone who can enjoy a walk unaided across the countryside can participate in sailing courses. You do not need to be an athlete! We want sailing to be an inclusive activity and regularly welcome people of all ages, including those in their seventies.

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That said, sailing is a physical activity. You will need to be able to step on and off the yacht, move around the boat safely, climb a short ladder into and out of the cabin, maintain your balance on a moving vessel, and participate in normal sailing activities. If you have any concerns about your fitness, mobility, balance, or ability to take part safely, please contact us before booking and we will be happy to discuss your individual circumstances.

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How `healthy' do I need to be?

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We ask everyone to complete a confidential health questionnaire before taking part in a course.

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Many people sail with medical conditions and, in most cases, these present no difficulty. However, it is important that you tell us about any illness, injury, recent surgery, medical condition, medication, mobility issue, allergy, or other matter that may affect your ability to participate safely.

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If your health or circumstances change after booking, you must let us know before your course starts. We are not medical professionals and therefore rely on the information you provide when assessing whether a course is suitable and safe for you.

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If you have any concerns, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss them with you.

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Can I smoke on board Academy Sailing yachts?

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For health and safety reasons as well as the comfort of all on board, sailing yacht Dream Odyssey operates under a strict no-smoking policy – both below and above deck. This includes vaping and e-cigarettes. If you are a smoker, then there may be occasional opportunities to step ashore to smoke but we cannot guarantee this and do not make special arrangements for this to happen.

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What time do the courses start?

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Your booking will provide you with the specifics linked to your particular course. Typically, for the first day of a course we ask you to arrive around 9.30am. Your instructor will meet you at 9.45am at our normal meeting point in the marina which is by the `Swallowtail’ restaurant.  If you are on a `split-weekend’ (two-part) course then the meeting time will be the same on the second half of your course.  And on subsequent days on board the start time varies according to the day’s plans but often this means getting up around 7am and starting by 8am.

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Where do we meet?

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For Burnham-on-Crouch courses, the address for the marina is: Burnham Yacht Harbour, Foundry Lane, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8BL.  For health and safety reasons we very politely ask that you do not take yourself down to the boat for the first time without the instructor. If you can make sure you are there in good time, your instructor will meet you at 9.45am outside the Swallowtail restaurant which is in the marina – you can’t miss it!  For sailing holiday legs and courses you will be provided with information separately.

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Is there parking?

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Car parking is included free of charge to you - we have it covered! The car park is located on your left at the entrance to the marina. You will need to provide your vehicle registration details to the marina to avoid a parking charge. Just make sure you do this when you arrive. Your instructor can help you with this but make sure you ask.

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Is there public transport?

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Yes there is a train station for Burnham-on-Crouch very close by. It is a 10 minute walk but there are also local taxis available.

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Do we sleep on board?

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Yes. You will be allocated your own berth (bed) on a shared cabin basis (never mixed gender unless booked together as a couple/pair). We provide a pillow and ask you bring your own sleeping bag and pillow case.

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Is food included?

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All meals on board are provided and included in your course fee (so breakfast, lunch and dinner). This covers all courses and events that both start and finish at Burnham Yacht Harbour.

 

For our Summer 2026 south coast sailing holidays, we provide the usual breakfast and lunches, and then 4 evening meals, with crew eating ashore in a pub or restaurant at their own cost for two of the other evenings.

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We also provide a plentiful supply of tea, coffee and cakes and snacks for all courses and events on Dream Odyssey. We make sure you don't go hungry!!

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We can normally cater for any specific dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, GI) but you do need to let us know in advance. This is specifically asked about as part of the online registration process after you book with us. You can still bring any favourite snacks of your own with you of course.

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Can I bring alcoholic beverages with me for the evening?

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Absolutely. Whilst alcohol must not be consumed during sailing activities, we are very happy for people to relax and enjoy a drink during social evening periods on board or ashore.

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We do ask that everyone drinks responsibly and remains fit to participate safely in sailing activities. This includes being capable of responding appropriately in the event of an emergency, whether during the day or overnight. The Skipper's decision regarding alcohol consumption and fitness to participate is final.

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We recommend bringing any alcoholic drinks you may wish to consume with you, as there are often no shops available once we leave the marina. Any unopened drinks can simply be taken home at the end of the course and there is a fridge on board available for your use.

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What clothing do I need to bring? What else?

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We cover this as part of your `joining instructions but we advise you to bring the following:-
 

• Sleeping bag and pillow case (we provide pillows);

• Enough suitable clothing to suit varied weather conditions including quick drying trousers (not jeans). You do not need to bring sailing waterproofs with you as we provide state of the art breathable GoreTex sailing jackets and salopettes for your use on the course;

• Optional change of clothing for going ashore (not too many needed);

• Footwear – soft non-marking trainers or deck shoes;

• Sailing boots - available online and locally not expensive for starter options - if you are confident the weather is going to be dry then you will likely get away with not buying sailing boots;

• Woolly hat;

• Sailing gloves – very important! (available online and locally not expensive);

• If you have a red head torch then you may find it useful on the course but we do have these on board;

• Towel & wash kit / toiletries;

• Earplugs if you are a light sleeper (although we normally have a supply);

• Sun cream & sun block;

• Refillable water bottle;

• All clothing must be in a soft-bags – no suitcases;

• Any personal medication you need;

• Passport size photo for RYA Certificate for those doing Day Skipper/Coastal Skipper, or 2 photos for Yachtmaster Coastal & Yachtmaster Offshore.

Can I bring my own life-jacket?

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For health and safety reasons we only allow students to use Academy Sailing life-jackets on our courses. This is because we provide high quality automatic life-jackets that are in perfect condition and under a certificated servicing regime.

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Can I bring my own sailing waterproofs?

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Yes. If you have your own or wish to buy your own and bring them then of course you can. But we also provide state of the art breathable GoreTex sailing jackets and salopettes for your use on the course.

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Do I need to have done any theory first?

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All courses on board Dream Odyssey are practical courses. You do not need any theory knowledge for courses such as RYA Start Yachting or RYA Competent Crew.

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If undertaking an RYA Day Skipper, RYA Coastal Skipper, or RYA Yachtmaster preparation course, you should have completed the recommended theory learning and possess the level of knowledge and practical experience expected for that course. This includes the knowledge and skills normally associated with preceding RYA courses, whether gained through formal training or equivalent practical experience.

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We will help you put theory into practice and are always happy to discuss whether a particular course is suitable for your current level of experience before you book.

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Is there an exam?

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There is no formal exam for any practical course below RYA Yachtmaster level.

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RYA Day Skipper and RYA Coastal Skipper courses involve continual assessment by your Academy Sailing instructor throughout the course. This means there is no written or practical test at the end, so you can relax. Your instructor is there to help and support you every step of the way.

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RYA Day Skipper and RYA Coastal Skipper are, however, pass/fail courses and certificates are only awarded where the required standard is demonstrated. Most students who arrive with the recommended knowledge and experience have no difficulty reaching the required standard. We explain the recommended pre-course knowledge and experience requirements for each course on our website and are always happy to discuss any questions you may have before booking.

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What if I am not at the required level for the course?

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Higher-level courses such as RYA Day Skipper and RYA Coastal Skipper assume that candidates already possess certain knowledge and practical skills. If it becomes apparent that a candidate does not meet the expected entry standard, the instructor will provide guidance and support wherever possible. However, Academy Sailing cannot guarantee that a certificate will be awarded if the required standard is not demonstrated during the course.

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Seasickness?

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Most people have absolutely no issues with seasickness on our courses. Anyone concerned about seasickness can take anti-seasickness tablets (such as Stugeron, Dramamine, Quells etc.) but consult your GP about medication ahead of your course if in any doubt.  

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Do I get an RYA certificate?

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In most cases, yes. For RYA courses that involve assessment, certificates are awarded where the required standard is demonstrated during the course. The exceptions are the 1-Day Taster and skills refresher days.

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I have paid a deposit – when do I pay the rest of the course fee?

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The full course fee is due 9 weeks before the start of your course (10 weeks for south coast sailing holidays/courses) and so we will send you an invoice for the balance around about 10 weeks before the start of your course. If you book a course that starts less than 10 weeks after the booking then you will be asked to pay the balance as soon as you receive your invoice from our office who process your booking. We normally process your course booking within 24 hours of you paying your deposit and completing your short online course registration form.

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What if I have a severe allergy?

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When you complete the online registration form, we ask you to let us know about allergies. We can cater for dietary needs but what we cannot guarantee if that you won't come into contact with trace amounts of things that you are allergic to. For example, if you have an allergy to peanuts, there may still be peanuts on board - either in our cupboards, or on surfaces, or someone else brings them on board. If accidental exposure could result in a serious medical emergency, participation may not be safe and you should discuss your circumstances with us before booking.

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Are the any extra fees or costs?

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For most courses, no. Your course fee includes accommodation, meals on board, training, loan waterproof clothing, and use of safety equipment. Any exceptions, such as meals ashore during certain sailing holidays, travel costs, optional purchases, or external examination fees, will be made clear before booking.

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RYA Sailing Log Books are not included within the course fee but are available for purchase on board should you wish to buy one. Many students already have a log book, whilst others choose to purchase one during their course.