Sail trim
Lift, sheet, halyard, sheet lead, backstay, kicker: fine trim for speed and pointing.
Sailing know-how — understand, trim, manoeuvre
The second part of the school's knowledge base: the technique, theory and language of sailing. Understand how a sail works, trim it finely, know the right-of-way rules and speak the language of the sea.
The knowledge base, in two parts
Harbours & places — where to sail: harbours, islands, anchorages and themes of the coast. Sailing know-how (you are here) — how to sail: trim, theory, vocabulary. Go to “Harbours & places” →
13 topics · 3 groups · 12 pages written
From first words to fine trim
The topics are arranged in three groups. Twelve in-depth pages are already written (Sail trim, Points of sail & wind, Right-of-way rules, Sailing knots, Harbour manoeuvres, Glossary, Multilingual dictionary, Certified miles, Life on board, Man overboard and safety, Seasickness, Sailing areas); the last one is being written and is marked as such.
Trim & manoeuvre
5 pages
Points of sail & the wind
Finding your bearings relative to the wind, from close-hauled to a dead run, and understanding the wind that really fills the sails.
Right-of-way rules
Port/starboard tack, windward/leeward, overtaking: who gives way, who stands on. And the duty to avoid a collision.
Sailing knots
The knots used on board, with Loïck's videos: bowline, slipped clove hitch, round turn and two half hitches, double sheet bend, rolling hitch and more.
Harbour manoeuvres
The vocabulary of mooring lines, the midships spring, how to help a boat coming alongside, and a dozen real manoeuvres filmed on our courses.
Understand & communicate
2 pages · 1 in preparation
Glossary of sailing terms
The vocabulary of the boat, from A to Z: bear away, sheet in, ease, luffing, head up, gust, starboard tack…
Sailing dictionary FR/DE/EN/ES
The same vocabulary in four languages, for international crews — handy on board, where orders are given in French.
Theory & teaching
The school's progression, from first discovery to skipper: what you learn, in what order and why.
Page in preparation
On board
5 pages
Certified miles
Certified sea miles for a German or Swiss offshore licence: how many you need, how many you sail here, and the certificate issued by the school.
Life on board
Living together on a cruising yacht: watches, cooking, berths, safety and a good crew spirit.
Man overboard and safety
Staying as close as possible to the person in the water: the quick stop and the spinnaker manoeuvre, filmed during real recoveries, plus towing, refloating and the life raft.
Seasickness
Where it comes from, what makes it worse and what really helps on board: helming, the middle of the boat, ginger, music…
Sailing areas
The school's three great playgrounds — South Brittany, the Iroise Sea, North Brittany & the Channel —, the essentials on tides and currents, and the tidal races filmed on board.
Theory comes alive at sea
All this trim and all these manoeuvres are learnt on board, with a professional skipper and four or five trainees at most. Tell us your level and your dates.
See dates & prices