Home » Education & Training » Learn to Cruise

Learn to Cruise

Student Standards

The Canadian Yachting Association Learn to Cruise standards provide safe standardized instruction on cruising sailboats equipped with accommodation and auxiliary power.

Competent Crew standard enables the graduate to be able to cruise safely by day in local waters as a crew of a sloop rigged keelboat, 20-30 feet, in moderate wind and sea conditions.

Intermediate Crew standard enables the graduate to be able to cruise safely by day in local waters as a crew aboard a sailing yacht of 8 - 12 meters in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. Emphasizes on-the-water skills at a level acceptable for bareboat chartering. NOTE: This standard was revised in 2006. All of the changes are highlighted in this version of the standard - Intermediate Crew Standard (Changes)

Basic Cruising covers the skills required to cruise safely in familiar waters as both skipper and crew of a sloop rigged keelboat of 6 to 10 meters in moderate wind and sea conditions by day.

Basic Keelboat Racing Standard provides the knowledge necessary to compete in club & local races with a fundamental understanding of the racing rules, protest procedures and applying sailing and seamanship skills in winds up to 20 knots.

Intermediate Cruising covers the skills required to safely cruise a keelboat of 8 - 12 metres in familiar waters. It is recommended as the minimum qualification for bareboat chartering. The recommended time for teaching and examining the standard is five days or two weekends. NOTE: This standard was revised in 2006. All of the changes are highlighted in this version of the standard - Intermediate Cruising Standard (Changes)

Advanced Cruising covers the skills needed to skipper or crew a sailing cruiser of 8 - 15 metres, in both day and night conditions in coastal waters in any weather.

Offshore Cruising Standard is the highest level of the CYA Learn to Cruise Program. It covers the skills required to skipper or crew on offshore passages exceeding 500 miles in length and venturing more than 100 nautical miles from land.

Instructional courses meeting the Learn to Cruise standards are available primarily from commercial sailing schools, community colleges, directly from CYA certified cruising instructors and through some member sailing and yacht clubs.

 

Yachtmaster Awards

For members who have completed the Learn To Cruise standards and have considerable sea time, the CYA Yachtmaster Awards standard is available. Two levels of Yachtmaster certificates are achievable: Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Ocean.

 

Instructor Standards

Basic Cruising Instructors are authorized to certify the Basic Crew Standard and Basic Cruising Standard. Teaching and certification in a liveaboard (Cruise and Learn) format is authorized only for Basic Cruising Instructors with the Advanced Cruising student standard provided they are currently registered with the CYA.

Intermediate Cruising Instructors are authorized to certify the Basic and Intermediate Cruising student standards provided they are currently registered with the CYA.

Advanced Cruising Instructors are authorized to certify the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Cruising student standards provided they are currently registered with the CYA.

Basic Keelboat Racing Instructors

Offshore Cruising Instructors are authorized to certify the Offshore Cruising student standard provided they are currently registered with the CYA.

Basic Cruising Instructor Evaluators are authorized to certify the Basic Cruising Instructor standard provided they are currently registered with the CYA.

Senior Cruising Instructor Evaluators are authorized to certify the Basic Cruising Instructor, Intermediate Cruising Instructor, Advanced Cruising Instructor, & Coastal Navigation Instructor standards, provided they are currently registered with the CYA. Senior IEs who are also Celestial Navigation Instructors may also certify Celestial Navigation Instructors.