RYA Recognised Training Centre

More Than Just Online We're Sailors

Sailing Course Online offers Royal Yachting Association (RYA) theory courses through our advanced online portal. Over 50,000 students from 115 countries have trained with us – but we're not a faceless tech company. We're a team of professional sailors backed by a recognised RYA Practical Training Centre at Hamble Point Marina on the Solent.

Learn at your own pace with our easy-to-use instructional courses, designed specifically for distance learning. Track your progress through modules and bite-sized sub-topics. Any time you need it, you have direct access to RYA Yachtmaster™ qualified instructors who will support and encourage you – no chatbots, no call centres.

50k+

Students Trained

115

Countries

4.9★

Feefo Rating

100%

Pass Commitment

Our Story

How It All Began

Twenty years ago, Urban Truant RYA Practical Training Centre appointed a third-party provider to offer online RYA learning to our students. Unfortunately, the learning experience wasn't to the standard we set for ourselves or our students.

So we built our own.

Three years later, we launched the first version of Sailing Course Online. Today, we're on version 7 – constantly updating with new content, including all-new 3D animations for 2025. We are now the RYA online learning portal of choice, trusted to deliver training to RYA staff and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

Version 7

Constantly updated with new content and all-new 3D animations

RYA Portal of Choice

Trusted by RYA staff and Maritime & Coastguard Agency

Used by RYA Staff & Recommended by MCA

Hamble Point Marina

Why We're Different

Backed by Real Sailors

Sailing Course Online is backed by a recognised RYA Practical Training Centre at Hamble Point Marina – one of the best locations on the Solent to learn your practical skills. This means your theory instructors aren't just academics – they're active sailors who put this knowledge into practice every week.

When you have a question, you're speaking directly to RYA Yachtmaster™ Instructors and Examiners. Fast, knowledgeable answers to any question, typically within hours.

Active sailors who practice what they teach every week

Direct access to Yachtmaster™ Instructors & Examiners

Fast, knowledgeable answers – typically within hours

Meet Your Instructors

Real Instructors. Real Conversations.

Direct access to elite RYA professionals.

Richard Beniston

RYA Instructor Trainer

1 of 16 Instructor Trainers Worldwide

Richard brings 23 years of experience skippering yachts across the world – from running luxury yachts across the Atlantic and through the Caribbean, to competing in three Fastnet races and numerous RORC campaigns as skipper. He has delivered sail training on 70ft tall ships around the Baltic, and founded his own RYA school in the North East of England.

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean

RYA Yachtmaster Instructor & Examiner

RYA Instructor Trainer – 1 of 16 worldwide

3 Fastnet Races & RORC Campaigns

Read full bio & all qualifications

With a background in IT services sales and marketing (BSc Management Sciences, UMIST), Richard combines deep technical sailing knowledge with the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly. He is one of only 16 RYA Instructor Trainers worldwide – the instructors who train other instructors.

All Qualifications & Appointments

RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Yachtmaster Instructor – Sail & Powerboat Yachtmaster Examiner – Sail & Powerboat Instructor Trainer – Sail Powerboat Instructor SRC Marine Radio Assessor Sea Survival Instructor Shorebased Instructor

Read Richard's Articles

The Switch to Digital Navigation, Popular Navigation Apps, Class M Personal AIS Beacons

Russell Lake

RYA Yachtmaster™ Instructor | RYA Training Committee Member

Founder | RYA Committee Member

Russell founded Urban Truant and Sailing Course Online, building the business into a leading authority in both RYA practical training and e-learning. His work has been featured in multiple RYA publications for excellence in training delivery.

RYA Yachtmaster™ Instructor – Sail & Motor

Member, RYA Training Committee

Founded Egypt's First RYA Training Centre

3 Fastnet Campaigns & Britain Circumnavigation

Read full bio & all qualifications

In 2021, Russell was appointed to establish Egypt's first-ever Royal Yachting Association Training Centre – a national initiative founded by the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development. He directed all aspects of the centre's design, construction, and accreditation, achieving official RYA recognition during the construction phase and setting new national standards for maritime education. The programme has now expanded to its fifth student cohort, supplying qualified Egyptian professionals to the global yachting industry.

On the water, Russell has competed in three RORC Fastnet campaigns as skipper and completed a circumnavigation of Britain in a 5.4m rigid inflatable boat (RIB).

All Qualifications & Appointments

Yachtmaster™ Instructor – Sail & Motor Advanced Powerboat Instructor SRC Marine Radio Assessor RYA Training Committee Member British Marine Committee Member Founded Egypt's First RYA Centre Featured in RYA Publications

Read Russell's Articles

What Licence Do I Need to Charter Abroad?, Day Skipper Practical and Theory, Automatic Identification Systems

100%

Pass Rate – Our Commitment to You

We commit to supporting every student throughout their course, exams, and any necessary resits. We work with all students until we're mutually happy that they have a full understanding of all required concepts to keep them as safe as possible whilst navigating at sea.

Students learn in different ways, and our content is delivered in multiple formats to suit any individual's learning style – video, 3D animations, text, diagrams, and interactive quizzes. When you need extra support, our RYA Yachtmaster™ Instructors are available via the in-built messaging system, phone, or video call.

Video

3D Animations

Text & Diagrams

Quizzes

Direct Support

What's Included

Everything You Need, Delivered

Every course includes everything you need to succeed.

🗺️

Physical Charts, Plotters & Dividers

Real navigation tools shipped free worldwide

🚚

Next-Day UK Delivery

Express international shipping available

📋

Exam & Unlimited Retakes

Everything included – no hidden costs

📆

12 Months to Complete

Lifetime access once you pass

💬

Unlimited Instructor Support

Email, phone & video from RYA Yachtmaster™ Instructors

Recognition

Recognised Excellence

We're proud to hold industry-leading accreditations and awards for our commitment to quality training.

Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award

4.9★ rating, four years running (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

★★★★★ 4.9

RYA Recognised Training Centre

Official accreditation for both online and practical courses

British Marine Membership

Leading the industry in online sailing education

We're the only RYA online provider using Feefo's independently verified review system. Every review is genuine, from real students – no cherry-picking, no editing.

Contact

Get in Touch

Address

102 Saltmakers House
Hamble Point Marina
Hamble, SO31 4JD

hello@sailingcourseonline.co.uk

Phone

+44 (0) 1489 250 040

Have a question about your training? Our instructors are here to help.

View Our Courses

Sailing Course Online Ltd | Company Registration No. 12358490