Traditional Sailing Boats
Training
Training & Skills Development with the Cornish Maritime Trust
Learning Through Doing, Learning Through Tradition
Sharing Skills
Training at the Cornish Maritime Trust is rooted in the belief that the best way to understand a traditional boat is to sail one, maintain one, and become part of its story.
Our training programmes are hands‑on, inclusive, and shaped by the rhythms of real seamanship.
Whether you’re stepping aboard for the first time or looking to deepen your maritime skills, the Trust offers a pathway for every level.
From First Steps to Confident Seamanship
Building Skills
We welcome complete beginners, curious locals, seasoned sailors, and everyone in between.
Our volunteers and skippers provide patient, practical instruction that builds confidence and competence on the water.
Training includes:
- Basic seamanship and safety
- Understanding traditional rigs and sail handling
- Crew roles and communication
- Reading wind, tide, and coastal conditions
- Practical experience aboard historic working boats
Every session is designed to help you feel at home on deck, learning the skills that Cornish sailors have relied on for generations.
Mentoring Toward RYA Qualifications
Qualifications
For those who want to formalise their skills, the Trust offers mentoring and guidance through Royal Yachting Association (RYA) qualifications.
While we are not an RYA training centre ourselves, our experienced skippers help you build the knowledge, sea time, and confidence needed to progress.
We support members working toward:
- RYA Competent Crew
- RYA Day Skipper
- RYA Coastal Skipper
- RYA Yachtmaster pathways
This mentoring blends traditional seamanship with modern standards, giving you a well‑rounded foundation for safe and capable sailing.
Learning the Art of Boat Maintenance
Hands On
Traditional boats require care, craft, and attention. Maintenance days are a vital part of our training offering, giving members the chance to learn the skills that keep our fleet alive.
You can gain hands‑on experience in:
- Woodworking and hull repairs
- Rigging and ropework
- Sail care and canvas work
- Painting, varnishing, and finishing
- Winter lay‑up and seasonal preparation
These sessions are collaborative, social, and deeply rewarding—an opportunity to learn from experienced craftspeople while contributing to the preservation of Cornwall’s maritime heritage.
A Pathway Into a Lifelong Maritime Community
Join Our Crew
Training with the Cornish Maritime Trust is more than acquiring skills—it’s joining a community that sails, maintains, and celebrates these boats together. As your abilities grow, so does your connection to the people, the vessels, and the coastline that define our maritime story.