A Fastrack Bareboat Skipper course with Algarve Cruising Center, combines practical on-the-water training with theoretical knowledge.

You will be doing the following intensive course in a row:

- International Crew

- VHF

- Bareboat Skipper

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Here's a general outline of what you can expect, though specific details might vary:

Course Overview:

The Fastrack program is designed to take you from a relative beginner to a competent bareboat skipper, capable of safely handling a yacht and crew in familiar waters. It typically combines the Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory courses with practical sailing experience. This condensed format saves time and is ideal for those with some prior sailing experience or who learn quickly.

Key Components:

• IYT International Crew: This covers the essential knowledge for being an active and competent crew ember, including:
  • Basic Seamanship: Understanding the parts of a boat, nautical terms, and basic boat handling.
  • Sail Handling: Learning how to hoist, reef, and lower sails. Understanding the principles of sail trim.‍
  • Ropework: Essential knots and rope handling skills.
  • Helmsmanship: Steering the boat under power and sail.
  • Safety Procedures: Basic safety on board, including man overboard drills, use of safety equipment, and emergency procedures.
  • Navigation: Basic navigation skills, including understanding charts, plotting courses, and using basic navigational instruments.
  • Personal Responsibilities: Understanding roles and responsibilities on board, including watch-keeping and teamwork.
• IYT Barboat Skipper
  • Responsibilities of a bareboat skipper
  • Crew safety checks
  • Hull and rig checks
  • Machinery and systems checks
  • Fuel and water capacity and range
  • Menus and quantities
  • Float plan
  • Sources of meteorological information
  • Weather patterns
  • Sea and land breezes
  • Cloud types and formations
  • Pilotage and passage planning
  • Considerations when planning a passage
  • Routine for navigating a coastal passage
  • Passage strategy
  • Port regulations, customs, immigration
  • Pilotage plans
  • Vessel handling in confined quarters
  • Mooring, anchoring, coming alongside
  • Ropes, knots, care and use of lines
  • General deck work
  • Tides and currents theory
  • Tidal heights, springs and neaps
  • Rule of “twelfths”
  • Position fixing, running fixes
  • Plotting the effect of tides and currents
  • Collision regulations
  • Lights, shapes and sounds
  • Application of the regulations
  • Advanced dingy handling

• Practical Sailing: This is the core of the Fastrack program and involves hands-on experience aboard a training yacht. You'll learn and practice:
  • Boat Handling under sail and power (including close-quarters maneuvering)
  • Navigation and Pilotage (using charts, electronic aids, and visual references)
  • Man Overboard (MOB) procedures
  • Anchoring and Mooring
  • Sail Trim and Optimization
  • Night Sailing (if the course duration allows)
  • Passage Planning and Execution
  • Dealing with Emergencies
  • Crew Management and Leadership
• Assessments: You'll typically have both written exams for the theory components and practical assessments throughout the course to demonstrate your competency.

Fastrack Bareboat Skipper

• Duration: 12 days
• Location: Training will likely take place in the Algarve region of Portugal, known for its beautiful coastline and favorable sailing conditions. Base Marina - Olhão.
• Yacht Type: Nautor Swan 411 - yes, you will learn on a Swan :)
• Instructor Qualifications: Yachtmaster Ocean / Yachtmaster Instructor
• Included: Accommodation onboard, breakfast and lunch
• Pre-requisites: none

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Below, you can find the available dates for this course. If we do not have any date yet or the available dates are not ok to you, don't hesitate to contact us for other dates.