Dufour 470 performance Easy Eleven

Cruise training provides sailors with comprehensive preparation for planning and carrying out a multi-day sailing trip. Key aspects such as cruise planning, navigation, meteorology, and boat handling are covered to equip participants for a safe and independent sailing holiday. Theory and practice go hand in hand.

The training involves a real sailing trip, where the crew spends a week onboard with the trainor —just like a holiday trip, but with a focus on intensive learning and practice in a relaxed setting.

Trip Planning & Preparation

• Taking charge of the chartered yacht (check-in)
• Route selection considering weather, wind, and harbor capacity
• Introduction to navigation techniques (chart work, GPS, plotter)
• Weather report and wind forecast analysis
• Provisions and resource planning (food, drinking water, power, fuel)
• Safety onboard, briefing on safety equipment, and emergency procedures
• Safe handling of lines and engine operation

Navigation & Weather

• Planning the entire trip and daily legs
• Reserving berths
• Navigation and assessing potential hazards and shallow waters
• Selecting safe anchor bays with consideration of wind and weather; assessing weather conditions

Sailing Techniques and Maneuvers

• Task delegation and crew involvement
• Collision prevention, right-of-way rules, nautical markers
• Driving techniques, fundamentals, and harbor maneuvers
• Hoisting, trimming, and reefing sails
• Sailing maneuvers, mooring maneuvers, anchoring
• Overnight stays in bays at anchor or on buoys
• Night sailing and approaching harbors at night
• Refueling the sailboat with consideration for weather conditions and potential seasonal congestion at fueling stations

Daily Routine During Trip Training

• Morning: weather briefing, route planning, and resource check
• Day maneuvers: setting the day’s route and practicing navigation, sailing, and harbor maneuvers
• Evening: docking at the harbor, anchoring, or buoy mooring—daily review
• Night sailing: navigating in darkness, light signals, night navigation
• Nighttime harbor maneuvers: safe docking in low light

Our german-speaking trainers bring years of experience as skippers. The order of the training modules will be adjusted according to the weather conditions. Individual wishes from participants can be taken into consideration.

During the training period you will spend the night on the yacht.