RYA schools Carribbean

[Pseudonym]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good RYA sailing school in the Caribbean for a course in late November.

I've been looking online at schools but it's hard to narrow them down. I've searched the forum too but most results are from pre-covid days, so may be outdated. A few details that may be pertinent:

The course has to be late November. I'll be tying the Thanksgiving weekend into my remaining vacation time to attend.

I took the ASA Basics to Bareboat (101/103/104) courses in 2020 and bought a Catalina 30 shortly thereafter. I've been sailing it around a large bay in the summers since. My girlfriend has no formal training but I've been showing her the lines and she's getting up to speed. I think I'd be qualified to take the RYA coastal skipper course, while my gf would probably be better suited to the day skipper. We'd like to take the courses together (if that's an option?).

The plan is to be seasonal liveaboards (~7month/year) beginning in 2024 on a ~44ft boat, beginning on the eastern seaboard and Caribbean for a couple years before heading to the Mediterranean. I don't feel like I have the knowledge or skill to take this on yet, nor will I gain it puttering around in a bay. I think this is the next step to up my sailing game.

I appreciate all useful recommendations and suggestions.

[barkwright99]

Sounds like a good and sensible plan to me.

Have you thought about completing the theory parts to the RYA courses online? You can complete it online, from anywhere (with internet), at your own pace etc...
Ardent Training send the physical materials out with free delivery.

Then this tool might help you find a practical centre:
https://www.rya.org.uk/wheres-my-nearest

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by barkwright99

This tool might help you find a practical centre:
https://www.rya.org.uk/wheres-my-nearest

I don't know that I've ever heard of RYA courses in the Carribean. One of the necessary elements for RYA qualifications (generally) is tidal streams + tidal depths/heights - and the Carribean doesn't have any to speak of. (You could do a non-tidal Day Skipper, but what's the point of that? I think it would be comparable to the ASA stuff...)

If I remember correctly, there are quite a few RYA schools in the Med, and of course, one of the best places in the world for sail training - the Solent in the South Coast of England.

Out of curiosity, I tried the RYA link provided by barkwright above and when entered "Day Skipper Practical Sailing" and "Find Schools Teaching These Courses" - all that came up were the qualifications necessary, not any list of schools...

You might try a hard copy of Yachting World magazine. I remember the back portion running lots of RYA-school ads. Maybe it's also in their online issue:

https://www.yachtingworld.com/

Fair winds,
LittleWing77

[Zanshin]

I'm in English Harbour, Antigua right now and Ondeck Sailing has been offering RYA and STCW courses for many years.

[goboatingnow]

Rya schools all over the world. Day skipper now has no difference between tidal and non tidal

[goboatingnow]

RYA in Florida, Bermuda , etc. for coastal skipper you need to fulfill the prerequisites.

[boatman61]

Sailing School Antigua RYA Training | Miramar Sailing