Hi

I'm looking for a learn-to-sail course near Melbourne, but not over many weekends. As i do FIFO work.

Is anyone aware of any courses,

Yachtmaster has various courses and a calendar here. They sail out of Royal Brighton Yacht Club. www.yachtmaster.com.au/
I've done several courses with them. The Introductory course was only 2 days.

Others by the search engine: bluewatersail.com.au/ out of Sandringham,
plus there'd be others via both clubs and specific courses.

If you go down the RYA route, an online course can help get you started whilst you are looking/booking a practical. The RYA practical courses require you to do a theory course first anyway. I took mine with Ardent Training.

Thanks guys

Just another quick question, Shouldnt I learn a little dinghy first

The Yachtmaster course I did yonks ago had 3 students that weekend and we sailed a 24-foot yacht on the first day, and a slightly larger yacht the next day. One tutor and 3 students - maybe that is the only economical way to teach these things. Plus, students learn off each others' questions and mistakes.

You could try dinghies, but you'd get less people on a dinghy. I've sailed a little dinghy and it's very responsive, but I prefer a yacht in the range of 20 to 30 feet.
Horses for courses. Both have merits, but I'd prefer the course with a small yacht rather than a dinghy. Buy yourself a dinghy after the course, to practice with.

Just another quick question, Shouldnt I learn a little dinghy first

Not necessarily. BUT>>>
There will be different answers to this one.
As a kid I started on mirrors on Albert Park Lake.
When I dumped her I just stood up, righted the boat, hopped in and sailed away. Only about a metre deep.
And on the first day I rolled her over a lot.
On the second day only a few times and on the third I had the theory down pat.
Therefore I think a dinghy is a very effective first step.
Not for long though.
I would then jump to Phill's suggestion.

gary

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PDUnder said..
Just another quick question, Shouldnt I learn a little dinghy first

I would suggest something in between. Like garymalmgren I would suggest wandering down to Albert Park Lake and see if they still sail the Status 19 daysailers. They sail like a big dinghy but have much more room for instructors and learners. Joining a sailing club and sailing dinghies will always be the best place to learn to sail. Dinghy clubs are much more social than yacht clubs. Learn to sail by flopping about in a dinghy then move on to catamarans or yachts if that is what appeals. Just get out there and do it now!