Time	1-2 Days
Prerequisites	None required
Exam	None, constant assessment by the instructor
Aim	Introduction to the skills required to be a useful crew member

What Is an RYA Start Motor Cruising Course?

The goal of the RYA Start Motor Cruising course is to introduce the complete beginner to motor cruising. This will involve learning the skills required to be a useful crew member on board a small motor vessel.

What Does the RYA Start Motor Cruising Allow You To Do?

The RYA Start Motor Cruising course is aimed at being a 1-day course that teaches you to become a useful crew member on a motor cruising vessel.

Who Can Do an RYA Start Motor Cruising?

The RYA Start Motor Cruising course is open to anyone, including those who have never set foot on a boat before. The only criteria is those under 8 are unfortunately not eligible for the course completion certificate.

If you are a complete newbie to motor cruising, then this is the course for you.

How Long Does an RYA Start Motor Cruising Take?

The RYA Start Motor Cruising is a 1-day course, however, some schools may choose to run this in combination with the RYA Helmsman Course as a 4 day live aboard or non-residential course.

Nobody will become an expert crew member overnight on these RYA Start Motor Cruising courses, but these early crewing skills taught will enable you to progress to future challenges, safe in the knowledge that your initial learnings were taught by an experienced instructor.

Is There a Set RYA Start Motor Cruising Syllabus?

There is indeed a syllabus. Each of the following topics represents a specific part of the learnings that will be covered on an RYA Start Motor Cruising course in varying levels of detail.

Personal safety, seamanship, emergency situations, coming alongside, picking up a mooring and boat handling detail the various aspects of the syllabus.

Read on to learn in a little more detail about how each of these is covered in a little more detail.

What Might I Learn on an RYA Start Motor Cruising Course?

To begin with, students will be instructed on the basic personal safety methods to be aware of onboard, how to look after yourself, both in moving around the boat and in what safety equipment to wear and of course, what to do in the event of an emergency situation.

The main task throughout the course is to equip you with the necessary knowledge that you can be a useful crew member for a skipper of a motor cruising vessel. This will be covered in developing a further understanding of these emergency procedures, keeping a lookout, steering a course and starting and stopping the engine.

You will also learn about the crewing tasks associated with anchoring, picking up a mooring buoy and how to handle lines and throw warps when coming to or leaving a marina berth.

What Is the Cost of an RYA Start Motor Cruising Course?

As ever, many schools differ in price. We would recommend that you take a look around at the various options and find what suits your needs the best. Cheapest is not often better.

This can range from knowing whether food and berthing charges are included to how many other students you will be sharing your course with.

Where Should I Do My RYA Start Motor Cruising Course?

There are many thoughts on where is best, but to be truthful, it is what works for you best. 

One thought is to do it in an area that you plan to cruise in in the future, that way, any specific learnings you take on your RYA Start Motor Cruising course will be incredibly valuable to your future motor cruising. Another is to consider those factors above, such as associated costs and food.

What Is the Pass Mark for the RYA Start Motor Cruising Course?

There is no specific pass mark as such, but very few students fail to reach the desired safety level to complete the RYA Start Motor cruising course.

A successful pass is achieved so long as you are not a danger to yourself or your fellow crew members whilst onboard and during your RYA Start Motor Cruising course.

What Comes After RYA Start Motor Cruising?

After your RYA Start Motor Cruising, we suggest going on to do your RYA Helmsman Course. 

You may also want to consider doing the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Theory course which will help provide you with theoretical knowledge suitable for your continued practical learning going forward.