Keelboat Level 3 sailing course in False Bay
On Level 2 you handled the boat under motor. On Level 3 you do it under sail: two days at sea from Gordons Bay Yacht Club sailing on and off a mooring, picking up a mooring and recovering a person overboard without the engine. You also learn to reef the mainsail and change the foresail at sea. Level 3 is the third of four levels to Competent Crew.
You sail on our Sadler 26 and L26 keelboats with a qualified instructor, following the World Sailing curriculum. Each day has two 3-hour sessions of theory and practical sailing, and you earn a certificate of competence for the skills you show.
Family discount: 10% off the third and each further family member booked onto the same course.
Key facts
Keelboat Level 3 is a 2-day sailing course that costs R1,895 per person at Gordons Bay Yacht Club in False Bay.
- Price: R1,895 per person
- Length: 2 days, with two 3-hour sessions of theory and practical sailing each day
- Venue: Gordons Bay Yacht Club, False Bay, Western Cape
- Boats: Sadler 26 and L26 keelboats
- Before you book: Complete Keelboat Level 2 first
- Covers: Boat handling under sail (moorings, anchoring, man overboard), reefing the mainsail and changing the foresail
- Qualification: Level 3 of 4; completing Levels 1 to 4 earns the Competent Crew qualification
- Curriculum: World Sailing curriculum, taught by certified instructors, with a certificate of competence
- Safety: Life jackets and safety equipment provided; you need to be able to stay afloat
- Booking: 60% deposit to book (R1,137); balance due 7 days before the course
- Family discount: 10% off the third and each further family member on the same course
Length
2 days, with two 3-hour sessions each day.
Who it is for
Sailors who have completed Keelboat Level 2.
The boats
Our Sadler 26 and L26 keelboats.
What comes next
Level 4 to complete Competent Crew.
What you will learn on Level 3
- How sails work, and using them to control the boat at low speed
- Leaving and returning to a mooring under sail
- Picking up a mooring under sail
- The man overboard procedure under sail
- Anchoring under sail
- Downwind sailing and gybing
- Reefing the mainsail
- Changing the foresail
Level 3 dates and prices
Book online with a 60% deposit. The balance is due 7 days before your course starts.
- 16/01/2027 – 17/01/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 29/05/2027 – 30/05/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
Where Level 3 leads
After Level 3 there is one level to go. Complete Level 4 to earn your Competent Crew qualification, then move on to keelboat race training.
The four keelboat levels
- Level 1: safety, wind awareness, tacking, winches and knots
- Level 2: docking, moorings and man overboard under motor; gybing and heaving to
- Level 3 (this course): moorings, man overboard and anchoring under sail; reefing and changing the foresail
- Level 4: boat speed, sail trim and an introduction to racing
All keelboat courses and dates →
Under 18? See our youth keelboat course →
Sailing in False Bay
Good to know
Do I need to have done Level 2?
Yes. Each level builds on the one before. If you have sailed keelboats elsewhere, ask us and we will help you choose the right level.
What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3?
Many of the manoeuvres are the same, but on Level 2 you do them under motor. On Level 3 you do them under sail, which takes more planning and boat handling, and means you can cope if the engine fails.
Why learn to change the foresail?
As the wind builds or drops, a different size of foresail keeps the boat comfortable and under control. Changing it safely on deck is a core crew skill.
Where is the course held?
At Gordons Bay Yacht Club, on the north-eastern shore of False Bay. Visitors are welcome to use the club bar and restaurant. More about the venue.
What should I bring?
A wetsuit or a waterproof, windproof jacket, a change of clothes suited to the season, and something warm. It is often cooler on the water than on land.
How does booking work?
Choose a date and pay a 60% deposit online to secure your place. We email you a link to pay the balance, which is due 7 days before your course starts. Bookings made within 7 days of the start are paid in full.