Double-Handed Sailing Course
Learn to sail efficiently as a team. This double-handed sailing course is designed for couples, friends, or family members who want to confidently manage a yacht together.
Course Overview
Double-handed sailing demands more than individual skill — it relies on effective teamwork, clear communication, thorough boat preparation, and efficient onboard systems.
In this course, you’ll develop practical systems to manage manoeuvres safely as a pair, while building consistent routines that play to each sailor’s strengths. The focus is on helping you operate as a cohesive, capable team, improving efficiency, safety, and confidence on the water.
Training is tailored to your experience level, allowing both sailors to progress while working together as a cohesive unit.
Coffs Harbour and Solitary Islands Marine Park
Max 2 students per course
5 consecutive days or 3 weekends
One participant must have a minimum of 5 days at sea, 100 nautical miles, and 4 hours of night sailing experience.
Option to liveaboard. Full access to marina showers and facility.
Enquire now
Course Content
- Boat preparation for double-handed coastal and offshore passages
- How to sail efficiently as a double-handed crew
- Clear communication techniques for safe and effective teamwork
- Role allocation and decision-making as skipper and crew
- Developing onboard systems to improve efficiency and reduce workload
- Strategies to leverage each sailor’s strengths
- Safe and controlled manoeuvres with a small crew
- Sail handling, reefing, and trimming as a pair
- Watchkeeping routines and fatigue management
- Building confidence to undertake longer passages together
- Emergency drills, including person overboard recovery in an offshore setting
Program*
- Days 1–2: Double-Handed Sailing Foundations
Develop onboard systems and refine boat handling manoeuvres, focusing on teamwork, communication, and efficiency as a two-person crew. - Days 3–4: Passage Making
Apply your skills on an offshore passage, building confidence in watchkeeping, navigation, and shared yacht management. Emergency drills are conducted in real conditions. - Day 5: Cement Learning and Review
Consolidate key skills, receive instructor feedback, and complete a final debrief and boat clean.
* This program may be changed based on weather conditions during the training
What to bring
- Clothing: waterproof jacket and trousers, non marking sailing boots or shoes, warm layers, quick dry clothing, hat and sailing gloves, swimwear and beach towel
- Personal Items: sunscreen, sunglasses, refillable water bottle, personal medications, toiletries
- Miscellaneous: head torch, notebook and pencil, phone charger/power bank
- Luggage: please pack your belongings in a soft-sided, collapsible luggage such as a duffel bag, backpack, or sailing bag
What's included
- Bedding, bath towel
- Meals and snacks onboard
- Lifejackets and harnesses
- Theory material
Sail with Skill.
Sail with Confidence.
Sail with Panache.
Have Any Questions?
FAQ's
Didn’t find the answer to your question in the list or would you like more information?
Send us your question by email at info@panachesailing.com.au. We will reply within 24 hours.
Who is this course open to?
This course is designed for pairs sailing together. At least one participant must have prior sailing experience at an intermediate or advanced level, while the second participant can be a beginner.
The minimum age is 12 for young participants, with no upper age limit for adults.
What level of sailing experience is required?
Minimum requirements for the pair:
- One sailor with experience in helming, sail handling, and basic manoeuvres
- Basic understanding of points of sail and sailing terminology (for at least one participant)
- Some prior sea time as a pair is recommended (e.g. day sailing or short passages)
- Both participants should be physically capable of active participation onboard
Do I receive a certificate?
Although we don’t issue formal sailing certificates, our instruction follows internationally recognised training principles.
Our lessons are led by a principal instructor trained to RYA Cruising Instructor standard, ensuring a strong focus on safe progression, seamanship and confidence-building.
Can I pay a deposit instead of the full course fee?
Yes. For weekend and 5-day courses booked more than 30 days in advance, a 50% deposit can be arranged.
For bookings made within 30 days of the course start date, full payment is required.
Please contact us at info@panachesailing.com.au or 0450 144 210 to arrange payment options.
How do I change or cancel my booking?
If you are unable to attend your scheduled course, you may reschedule once (subject to availability) at the discretion of Panache Sailing. An administration fee of $150 applies.
Cancellation terms:
- More than 30 days before the course: Full refund minus administrative fee
- 30 to 21 days before: 50% refund
- 21 to 14 days before: 30% refund
- Less than 14 days: No refund
If Panache Sailing cancels a course due to weather or operational reasons, you will be offered a full refund or the option to reschedule.
Courses run in a wide range of weather conditions. If you choose not to attend due to forecast conditions, standard cancellation terms apply.
Do I need personal insurance?
Panache Sailing holds full commercial insurance.
Participants are encouraged to arrange their own travel insurance to cover personal circumstances such as illness, cancellation, or unforeseen events.