Specialist Sailing Courses
Learn to skipper yachts of 50ft and above — a 7-night hands-on course aboard an Ocean Star 51.1 in the waters around Athens.
Overview
Taking your family or friends out on a larger yacht — with en-suite cabins, a generator and air conditioning — is something most sailors have thought about. Larger yachts offer the space and comfort to tempt land-lubbers who have yet to experience the joy of sailing. But if you haven’t skippered a big yacht before, it can be a daunting prospect.
This 7-night course runs aboard an Ocean Star 51.1 — a classic big yacht with 4 en-suite guest cabins plus a skipper/instructor cabin, fitted with a generator, air conditioning, bow-thruster, and full electronics and instrumentation.
Suitable for RYA Day or Coastal Skippers, or those with an ICC or equivalent national qualification. Ideally you’ll have 4–5 weeks of charter experience, whether on flotilla or bareboat.
7
Nights duration
51ft
Ocean Star training yacht
£795
From per person (special offer)
150nm
Approximate distance sailed
Course Details
Handling and close-quarters manoeuvring including correct use of the bow-thruster
Anchoring and mooring techniques including Mediterranean stern-to mooring
Advanced sail trim in a range of conditions from light airs to heavy weather
Managing an inexperienced crew and ensuring they get the best out of the experience
Looking after your charter yacht: understanding onboard systems, basic do’s and don’ts
Basics of troubleshooting and on-the-go fixes
Choosing the right yacht for your party
What’s Included
✓
6 days tuition with an experienced skipper
✓
7 nights accommodation in an en-suite cabin
✓
Mooring fees
✓
Fuel and other yacht running costs
✓
Bed linen and towels
✓
Provisions for breakfast and light lunch daily, plus drinking water and unlimited tea and coffee
Note: Dinner is usually ashore, with the option of self-catering on board.
Next Steps
Once completed, you’ll have the experience and confidence to charter larger yachts — whether with family or friends on a flotilla or on a bareboat charter in that bucket-list destination. We can advise you on the best choices for your next charter.
Sailing Area
We run this course from our base near Athens — within an hour of the airport and accessible by public transport. An ideal starting point for exploring the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs, as well as the northern Cyclades.
The area provides higher volumes of marine traffic, greater sailing distances, bigger seas and more variable wind conditions — perfect to push your skills, gain confidence and broaden your horizons.
Your island-hopping itinerary will include a selection of islands such as Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, plus Kythnos and Kea in the Cyclades, as well as mainland harbours such as Nauplion, Epidavros and Lavrion. The itinerary covers around 150nm during the week, with a couple of longer passages and a night sail built in.
Weather & Sailing Conditions
The Saronic Gulf provides ideal conditions for broadening experience — moderate to fresh winds and open seas with generally westerly or southwesterly prevailing winds. During summer, the Meltemi, a strong northerly, can occasionally bring choppier waters.
The Training Yacht
Our Ocean Star yachts are perfectly suited for training on a larger vessel. With modern navigation and safety equipment, these licensed charter yachts provide a safe and comfortable platform.
The yacht offers two double and two twin guest cabins with en-suite shower/WC, plus a separate crew cabin. The well-equipped galley features two large fridges and a gas cooker. The spacious saloon, music system, generous foredeck and welcoming cockpit offer the perfect blend of comfort and enjoyment. The generator and air conditioning ensure the yacht is cool in summer and warm in winter.
2026 Season
| Price per person, per week | Sharing a cabin for 2 | Special Offer | Single occupancy of a cabin | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28th February 2026 | £995 | £795 | £1,415 | £1125 |
| 7th March 2026 | £995 | £795 | £1,415 | £1125 |
| 14th March 2026 | £995 | £795 | £1,415 | £1125 |
| 21st March 2026 | £995 | £795 | £1,415 | £1125 |
| 28th March 2026 | £995 | £795 | £1,415 | £1125 |
| 4th April 2026 | £995 | £795 | £1,415 | £1125 |
Sail & Stay
There are a multitude of ways to travel to our base on the Athens coast. Embarkation is from 17:00 on a Saturday, sailing the following morning.
Saturday scheduled and low-cost flights available from all major UK airports to Athens International Airport.
Direct Seafarer transfers from Athens International Airport take roughly 60 minutes. Regular buses from the airport serve Olympic Marine via a connection in Markopoulo.
Your flight-inclusive holiday is fully ATOL protected. We have been trading since 1995 — you can book with total confidence.
Price Promise
As an independent company, we are able to keep our prices highly competitive. If you see a like-for-like product featured elsewhere cheaper, let us know and we will beat it.
This guarantee applies to yacht and accommodation rates on our Beach Club, Flotilla, Learn to Sail and Cabin Charter programmes operated by Seafarer, and is subject to availability at the time of booking.
We will not be beaten on price
Find it cheaper elsewhere and we’ll beat it — guaranteed.
ATOL Protected — Book with Confidence
Your flight-inclusive holiday is fully ATOL protected. Trading since 1995.
Book Your Course
Get in touch with our team to check availability or ask any questions about the Big Boat Sailing course.
