Advanced Performance Sailing
Elevate your seamanship.
Master spinnaker handling, sail trim, and complex navigation dynamics.
From Competence to Mastery
Designed for skilled sailors, this 7-day intensive is not about learning the ropes.
It represents the shift to mastering the vessel.
With expert coaching from our captains, you will master the physics of sail trim, the thrill of Spinnakers and Gennakers, and the nuances of crew leadership.
This is where you transition from a driver to a true commander.
REFINING SKILLS FOR PERFORMANCE & SAFETY
Advanced Curriculum
✓ Downwind Mastery: Rigging, hoisting, and trimming Spinnakers (symmetric) and Gennakers (asymmetric). Mastering the gybe and "peeling" techniques.
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✓ Precision Sail Trim: Understanding twist, draft position, car adjustments, and backstay tension to optimize speed in light and heavy air.
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✓ Regatta Dynamics: Tactics for the start line, mark rounding efficiency, and right-of-way rules in competitive scenarios.
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✓ Complex Navigation: Night sailing exercises, blind navigation (fog simulation), and advanced passage planning.
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✓ Troubleshooting: Solving sailing issues like line tangles (broaches), rudder failure simulation, and emergency steering.
Pushing the Envelope
While we still navigate through the beautiful islands of the Adriatic, the objective and tempo of this course are fundamentally different. The scenery is secondary to the training.
We move beyond fair-weather sailing, actively searching for more challenging conditions to refine your boat handling skills under pressure, always within a managed environment. The curriculum is advanced: you will execute complex tasks such as docking and undocking in tight marinas without engine assistance, conducting disciplined night watches, and taking decisive command as you lead the crew through realistic simulated emergencies. It is a week of high-intensity learning, structured to build the deep competence and reactive muscle memory essential for safe offshore cruising or high-level racing.
GENNAKER & ASYMMETRIC HANDLING
Mastering Downwind Dynamics without the Chaos
Downwind sailing should be fast, silent, and efficient.
Yet, most sailors rely on the engine when the wind drops because they fear the "big sail".
In this module, we demystify the asymmetric spinnaker.
You will learn that handling 150m² of sail cloth is not about muscle, it is about strict procedure, clear communication, and understanding the apparent wind. We turn anxiety into tactical advantage.
Preparation & Hoisting
Safety begins in the cockpit. We teach you the rigorous checklist required before the bag even opens. You will learn proper sheet routing, halyard preparation, and the critical role of the "tack line".
We practice the hoist coordination between the pitman and the bowman to ensure the sail fills instantly and cleanly, avoiding the dreaded hourglass twist.
Active Trimming & Gybing
Driving under a gennaker requires a different mindset. You will learn to steer by the luff, understanding the constant dialogue between the helm and the trimmer. We cover VMG (Velocity Made Good) optimization, how to keep the sail pressurized in waves, and the step-by-step choreography of the inside gybe, ensuring the sheet never wraps around the forestay.
The Drop & Recovery
Getting the sail down safely is more important than getting it up. We drill the "Letterbox Drop" (using the mainsail as a shield), the standard hatch drop, and snuffer handling. You will learn how to depower the sail instantly using the sheet and brace, allowing a single crew member to recover the canvas even in increasing winds without panic or equipment damage.
Time & Location
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Duration: 7 Days (Sat-Sat)
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Check-in: Saturday, 17:00
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Check-out: Saturday, 09:00
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Base: D-Marin Dalmacija, Sukošan (Pier A)
Private Accommodation
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Occupancy: Single Occupancy
(1 Person per Cabin). -
Couples: Double bed available only upon request for couples.
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Privacy: No sharing with strangers.
Requirements
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Experience: Previous sailing experience required.
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License: International Bareboat Skipper recommended (but not mandatory if experienced).
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Health: Fit for active maneuvering.
The Outcome
Develop greater precision in sail handling, navigation and crew coordination.
Through supervised exercises, you will practise assessing conditions, planning manoeuvres and making decisions as skipper. Your instructor will help you identify the skills to consolidate and the experience needed for your next step.
COURSE FEE & WHAT’S INCLUDED
Your course fee covers professional instruction in English, onboard accommodation
and the listed safety equipment.
Fuel, marina and mooring fees, groceries and other listed onboard expenses are paid separately
and shared by the crew. Restaurant meals, personal drinks and optional certification fees are additional.
INCLUDED
✓ 7 Days Onboard a Modern Performance Yacht
✓ Professional Race Coach & Instructor
✓ Complete Safety Equipment and Training Gear
What is Extra
✓ Shared Crew Fund (Diesel, Marina, Mooring, and Anchoring Fees)
✓ Onboard Provisions (Supermarket shopping for breakfast, lunch, and snacks)
✓ Dinners ashore and Alcoholic beverages
✓ National Park Tickets and Land Excursions
✓ Local Tourist Taxes
✓ Airport Transfers
✓ Official License Exam Fee (Optional)
COUPLES / FRIENDS
You will share a double cabin (ideal for partners or close friends) and enjoy the authentic experience of practical yacht management. Operating as a true offshore crew, you will manage a shared fund for variable daily costs, including marina fees, fuel, and provisions.
€ 3000 per couple
(€ 1.500 per person)
FAQ | Advanced Sailing Course
Do I need any previous experience to join the Advanced Course?
Yes. Previous sailing experience is required. This course is for sailors who already understand the fundamentals and want to improve boat handling, navigation, night sailing, heavy-weather awareness and skipper decision-making. An official licence is not always required, but you should be comfortable participating actively on board. If you are unsure, contact us before booking.
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What are the sailing conditions like during the course?
Training takes place in conditions appropriate to the crew’s experience and the planned exercises. You will practise sail handling, boat control and decision-making as conditions change. The instructor adjusts the programme to the forecast and the group’s progress, keeping safety central to every exercise.
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Will we practise sailing at night?
The programme includes supervised night-navigation exercises, subject to suitable conditions. These focus on preparation, lookout duties, recognising navigation lights and maintaining clear communication on board.
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Can I work towards a certification during this course?
Certification is optional and charged separately. The appropriate qualification depends on your existing experience, logged sea time and assessment results. Completing the Advanced Course does not automatically award a Yachtmaster certificate. Contact us before booking so we can review your eligibility and explain the available options.
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​​What is included in the Advanced Course price??
Your base fee covers the core essentials of your training: your cabin aboard a modern yacht, professional offshore instruction, and all safety equipment. Because this package focuses on the real-world logistics of running a vessel, the crew handles the daily variable costs directly. Expenses such as supermarket provisions, diesel, marina berths, and local taxes are shared equally. To keep financial management simple and completely transparent, the crew uses the Splitwise app. Every shared expense is logged into the application, automatically tracking and dividing the daily costs among all students without any hassle.
How are meals organised?
The crew buys groceries and prepares meals together on board. Grocery costs are shared separately from the course fee.
Meals ashore and personal drinks are paid individually.
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How do we handle dinner?
Every evening, we moor in a different marina or charming harbor. This gives you the freedom to explore the local Croatian culture and dine at authentic island restaurants.
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Where exactly do we meet to start?
The course starts and ends at D-Marin Dalmacija in Sukošan, just a short distance from Zadar Airport. Before your trip, you will receive a detailed arrival guide with a map of the marina, the exact pier location, and tips on the best taxi or bus options to reach us safely.
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Will I have to share a cabin?
No. At Sailing Munich, we provide Single Occupancy in a private cabin as our standard to ensure you have the privacy and rest you need.
Double cabins are only used if you are traveling with a partner or a friend.