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Sailing Guides & Resources

Expert guidance for sailing CVs, qualifications, logbooks, and crew opportunities

RYA Competent Crew: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and Is It Worth It

RYA Competent Crew explained: what to expect day by day, what to pack, and how your 5-day liveaboard course counts toward Day Skipper. No experience required.

Published 13 Jan 2026

How to Get Your RYA Day Skipper Fast

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 01 Jan 2026

RYA SafeTrx is Closing (31 Dec 2025): What to Do Now

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 27 Dec 2025

Online Theory Courses: From Exam Anxiety to Exam Confidence

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 22 Dec 2025

Shore Contact Alerts: How to Set Up Overdue Notifications

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 28 Dec 2025

How to Replace Lost RYA Certificates

Lost your RYA certificate? Learn how to replace lost RYA Day Skipper, Yachtmaster, VHF/SRC and other sailing certificates. Step-by-step replacement guide with current fees, forms, and turnaround times.

Published 23 Dec 2025

How to Find Crew Positions Without Experience

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 20 Dec 2025

Bareboat Family Charter: What Qualifications You Need to Skipper a Holiday Yacht

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 18 Dec 2025

Your Sailing CV: More Than Just a Piece of Paper

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 16 Dec 2025

Log Your Sail in 60 Seconds

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 14 Dec 2025

RYA Logbook: Digital vs Paper - Which Format is Best?

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 12 Dec 2025

Stay Connected Between Sails

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 10 Dec 2025

Build Your Sailing Reputation Trip by Trip

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 08 Dec 2025

How RYA Qualification Verification Works

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 06 Dec 2025

How to Track RYA Qualifying Miles Online

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 04 Dec 2025

RYA Yachtmaster Logbook Requirements: Complete Guide to Qualifying Miles

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 02 Dec 2025

Charter Skipper Credentials: What You Need to Skipper Charter Boats in the UK

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 30 Nov 2025

Verified Sailing CV: Why Credential Verification Matters

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 28 Nov 2025

Maritime Crew Roles & Career Pathways

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 26 Nov 2025

Build Your Professional Sailing CV

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 24 Nov 2025

Sailing CV vs Resume: Key Differences for Maritime Jobs

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 Nov 2025

10 Yacht Crew CV Mistakes That Get Your Application Rejected

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 26 Nov 2025

Superyacht Crew CV Guide: How to Get Hired on Luxury Yachts

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 27 Nov 2025

Maritime Professional Network: LinkedIn for Sailors | Crew the Boat

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 28 Nov 2025

Keep Your Boat Ready, Your Listings Trusted

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 29 Nov 2025

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