Sailing Guides & Resources

Complete guide to the 12 maritime crew roles from weekend sailing to professional superyachts. Understand career progression from Crew to Captain with qualification requirements for each position.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Fastest way to get your RYA Day Skipper. Book practical first, complete 40-hour theory before you arrive, meet experience requirements (5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours). Step-by-step preparation guide.

Published 25 Jan 2026

RYA SafeTrx closes 31 Dec 2025. Step-by-step guide to protect your data, alternatives checklist (VHF, PLB, SailTies, Crew the Boat), and free passage plan template. Official guidance from RYA and HM Coastguard.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Learn how RYA qualification verification works. Crew the Boat validates RYA certificates through admin review and issuing body contact. Get your Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, or Yachtmaster verified.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Stay connected between sails with Crew the Boat's sailing community. Join topic groups for maintenance tips, race tactics, and regional meetups. Share trip reports, build relationships, and keep the conversation going between passages. More than just crew matching—a daily sailing community worldwide.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Quick-start guide: Log sailing passages to build your professional maritime CV for crew positions and charter applications. Track miles and roles for RYA, STCW, and MCA qualifications, showcase verified experience to employers worldwide, and export your logbook as PDF. Stand out for yacht crew and maritime jobs with proven sea time.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Complete guide to finding sailing crew positions without prior experience. Learn how to join yacht clubs, race crew opportunities, sailing schools, and beginner-friendly pathways to getting on boats.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Learn why verified sailing CVs matter for charter companies, crew agencies, and employers. How Crew the Boat's verification system validates credentials using Stripe Identity and RYA qualification checks.

Published 25 Jan 2026

First time on a yacht? Here's exactly what happens day-by-day on Competent Crew, what to pack, and how it counts toward Day Skipper. No experience needed.

Published 13 Jan 2026

Complete guide to tracking RYA Yachtmaster qualifying miles digitally. Compare logbook tools (SailTies, Smartboatia, spreadsheets, Crew the Boat), learn RYA requirements (2,500 miles, 50 days, 5x 60NM passages, 12 night hours), and track progress efficiently toward qualification.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Complete guide to building your digital Sailing CV. Learn how to log passages, track miles for RYA qualifications, collect endorsements, and share your sailing experience when applying for crew positions, deliveries, and courses worldwide. Free professional sailing CV builder and logbook.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Build your sailing reputation trip by trip with endorsements. Learn how post-sail proof validates your skills and opens new opportunities. Each endorsement from a completed passage strengthens your profile and creates a reputation cycle. Essential guide for building credibility in the global sailing community.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Set up automatic overdue alerts for your shore contacts when sailing. Step-by-step guide to SMS notifications, ETA check-ins, and keeping loved ones informed. SafeTrx alternative for UK sailors.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Mile-building courses cost £500+. Cost-sharing crew positions get you the same RYA miles for fuel and food costs. Here's how to find them.

Published 18 Jan 2026

Lost your RYA certificate? Get a replacement in 2-4 weeks from RYA HQ. Then create a verified digital backup so you never lose proof again. Step-by-step guide.

Published 23 Dec 2025

Professional boat care for skippers worldwide: track maintenance schedules, store safety certificates, share crew briefing packs. Replace spreadsheets with digital Boat Care. Part of Pro subscription. Keep your boat compliant and your crew properly briefed.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Complete guide to professional sailing CVs: Learn STCW requirements, superyacht CV standards, commercial merchant credentials, and how verified qualifications stand out. Build your professional maritime CV with Crew the Boat's verification system.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Settling the debate: Does the RYA accept digital logbooks? Which format is best for Yachtmaster qualifications and charter applications? Complete guide to choosing the right logbook format for your sailing goals.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Prepare for your RYA Day Skipper theory exam with confidence. Our mastery-based online courses use 500+ practice questions to help you go from exam anxiety to exam confidence. Learn how spaced repetition and immediate feedback create genuine understanding.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Complete guide to RYA Yachtmaster logbook requirements. Learn exactly what counts toward 2,500 miles, 50 days living aboard (not day sailing!), 5 passages over 60NM, 2 overnight passages, and tidal experience for Yachtmaster Coastal, Offshore, and Ocean qualifications. Includes timeline scenarios and progress tracking tips.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Can't remember whether to add or subtract variation? Here's the method that finally makes compass conversions stick. One rule, one sanity check, done.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Charter companies verify RYA qualifications, sea-time, and credentials for bareboat charter skippers. Learn what charter skipper credentials you need and how verification works.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Learn the key differences between sailing CV and resume formats. Maritime CVs require professional photos, certifications-first structure, sea miles documentation, and industry-specific formatting.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Planning a family bareboat charter? Learn what qualifications, experience, and documentation UK charter companies require when you want to skipper a bareboat yacht in the UK, Mediterranean, or Caribbean.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Avoid the 10 most common yacht crew CV mistakes that get applications rejected. Learn how to fix expired certifications, vague sea miles, inflated experience, and generic cover letters.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Build your verified superyacht crew CV with STCW Basic Safety and ENG1 medical certificate verification. Learn what crew agencies require and how to stand out with verified credentials.

Published 25 Jan 2026

Purpose-built professional network for sailors with passage-based endorsements, GPS-verified logbooks, and RYA qualification verification. The LinkedIn alternative designed for maritime careers.

Published 25 Jan 2026