Why you learn best in smaller boats

Starting in a dinghy or smaller sailing boat is the best way to really learn how sailing works. In a small boat you feel every gust of wind and every movement in your own body. You immediately see what happens when you steer or trim the sails, which builds an intuitive understanding of wind, balance and sail trim – the foundation for all sailing.

In our basic courses we therefore use smaller, responsive boats where you are close to the water and can test, make mistakes and learn quickly. The skills you develop here follow you all the way up to larger boats and longer sailing trips.

  • You experience how the wind actually drives the boat forward.
  • You see the effect of sail angle and balance straight away.
  • You get fast feedback when you steer and trim.

The next step – sailing on larger boats

Once you are comfortable in smaller boats, it is natural to take the step up to a larger keelboat or cruising yacht. The principles are the same, but the boat is heavier and has more systems, which places higher demands on planning, teamwork and manoeuvring.

At Sailstar you can combine:

  • dinghy courses for feeling and technique
  • dayboat courses in modern Aira 22 keelboats
  • large yacht courses on our 50-foot yacht Operah

This gives you a strong foundation both if you dream of buying your own boat and if you want to continue towards higher certificate levels.

Our basic courses in Stockholm

Choose the type of boat that suits you, your goals and how you like to learn.

Dinghy basic course (adults) Basic course – dayboat (Aira 22) Basic course – large yacht Progression – Levels 2 and 3 Try sailing Private lessons

Dinghy – Basic sailing course (3 days)

A three-day course in Viggbyholm where you learn the basics of sailing in modern single- and double-handed dinghies. Fast feedback, lots of tiller time and plenty of fun on the water.

Basic dinghy course for adults in Viggbyholm

Why choose the dinghy course?

  • Get a solid understanding of sailing basics through hands-on training in small, responsive boats.
  • Feel how the boat reacts to steering, trim and your own movements.
  • Build confidence quickly – capsizing is part of the learning process and handled in a controlled way.

Many of our participants who later sail larger boats say that their dinghy experience is what really made everything “click”.

Basic course – dayboat (3 days)

Learn to sail a modern keelboat (Aira 22) in the Stockholm archipelago. Perfect if you are thinking about buying or chartering a similar boat.

Basic course in modern dayboat Aira 22

What you will learn

  • Steering and sail trim on a modern, stable dayboat.
  • Basic harbour manoeuvres and mooring techniques.
  • Man overboard drills, safety routines and communication on board.

This course is a very good starting point if your goal is to sail with family and friends in a small keelboat in the archipelago.

Large yacht – Basic sailing course (4 or 6 days)

Sail a 50-foot cruising yacht in the Stockholm archipelago and live on board during the course. A perfect introduction if you want to charter or sail larger boats.

Basic sailing course on a large yacht in the Stockholm archipelago

Course content

  • Handling a large yacht under sail and engine.
  • Safe departure and arrival in harbours and natural anchorages.
  • On-board life: watch systems, safety routines and planning.

You live on board during the course, which gives you a realistic experience of longer sailing and what it is like to manage a larger boat with crew.