The Advanced Crew Training course is a unique five-day sailing programme designed for both complete beginners and sailors with previous experience who want to develop the practical skills and mindset of a modern performance sailor.

Delivered aboard our Beneteau Figaro 3, the world’s first production foiling offshore racing yacht, this course focuses on the art of sailing. Rather than simply learning how to operate a yacht, you will discover how to sail efficiently, understand why every adjustment matters, and develop the techniques used by experienced offshore sailors and racing crews.

Whether you are taking your first steps into sailing or looking to improve your existing skills, this intensive programme will significantly increase your confidence, boat handling abilities and understanding of sail performance.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in shared rooms at our training premises in Sivota, Lefkada.

Each morning begins with classroom-based theory before heading afloat for a full day of practical training. Returning to Sivota every evening allows time for debriefing, reviewing the day’s exercises and preparing for the following day’s training.

The Course

Training takes place over five consecutive days, combining classroom tuition with intensive on-the-water coaching.

Every day starts with a theoretical session covering the topics that will be practised on the water, ensuring you understand both the principles and the practical application. Once afloat, the emphasis is on repetition, coaching and continuous improvement, allowing every manoeuvre to become smoother, faster and more efficient.

Throughout the week you will sail around the beautiful Ionian coastline, using a variety of wind strengths and sailing conditions to develop your skills. Every exercise is designed to build confidence while introducing increasingly advanced techniques as the course progresses.

What You Will Learn

The course follows a structured syllabus while placing particular emphasis on performance sailing and the art of sail trim.

Throughout the programme you will develop an in-depth understanding of:

• Yacht terminology, deck layout, rigging and sail plan.
• Sail selection for different wind strengths and points of sail.
• Advanced sail handling and efficient sail changes.
• Mainsail, headsail, Code 0 and asymmetric spinnaker handling.
• Fine sail trim and sail shape optimisation.
• Boat balance, weight distribution and performance.
• Helmsmanship and steering techniques.
• Crew positioning, communication and coordination.
• Rope work and efficient deck organisation.
• Advanced sailing theory.
• Meteorology and weather interpretation.
• The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Rules of the Road).
• Personal safety equipment.
• Fire prevention and firefighting.
• Emergency equipment and onboard procedures.
• Man Overboard recovery techniques.
• Good seamanship, onboard etiquette and general crew responsibilities.

A major part of the course is dedicated to understanding how to make a yacht sail faster and more efficiently. You will learn how sail shape changes with every control line, how to select the correct sail for the conditions, how to trim the mainsail, headsails, Code 0 and asymmetric spinnaker, and how an efficient crew works together to maximise the yacht’s performance.