Sailboat cruise

Depending on the objective of each person, the UCPA cruise school offers internships on liveable sailboats that can accommodate 6 to 10 people on board.
For cruises in France, the fleet consists of 36 and 38 foot Jeanneau habitable monohulls for UCPA boats, and DUFOUR, Bavaria, RM and Harmony for rental yachts whose size varies from 36 to 44 feet. As for the international programs, they take place on comfortable and recent marine monohulls that we rent to our partners, thus guaranteeing us the appropriate management of these 36 to 44 foot units. Ideal for sailing in the sun and very well equipped.

During the day, sailing times alternate with moments of relaxation and escape (swimming, excursions and visits to the maritime region).
Reception at the port on the pontoons/crew training (airport reception in the French overseas departments and abroad if you travel with UCPA transport)
Presentation of the sailboat/safety overview.
Assessment of the level and expectations of each.
Menu preparation and supplies.
Coastal Sailing
Discovery of a maritime region.
Practice of the liveable sailing activity (reading a map, marine weather, learning to steer, turn, mooring, calculating the tide, wind, marine terms, knots).
Catering and overnight on board, at anchor or in a port.
End of internship
Return to the port of departure.
Boat storage and cleaning.
Collective and individual assessment with the instructor.

For your safety on board, UCPA Croisières provides individual equipment during the sailing course:
a 150N self-inflating vest
a harness and collective equipment: life lines, a turning light, an on-board searchlight, a crown buoy, a life raft, flares, hand fires and smoke bombs
Your health and safety are paramount!
Here are some helpful tips for fighting seasickness:
- cover yourself well before boarding,
- eat light and avoid alcohol
- sit in the center of the boat (where it moves the least)

If it's too late, tips for seasickness:
- do not look at the wake or the waves, but only the horizon
- do not smoke, drink water, eat, avoid head movements

What relieves:
- Put yourself in front of the wind, repeat positive sentences (everything is fine, etc.)
- possibly include bananas and chewing gums in your bag

Each boat is supervised by a cruise ship manager from UCPA.
The squadron is led by a state-certified instructor.
A crew is composed of 3 to 7 participants and 1 captain.
The boats can sail in squadors of 2 to 4 sailboats.

Be well equipped to navigate well

Weather forecasts are often random, a little bit of advance to properly prepare your duffel bag will guarantee you navigation in the best conditions.
Here is a non-exhaustive list that will suit your browsing spot. Never forget that even after a nice sunny day in the south of France, a small night breeze will make you appreciate a warm piece of clothing.

Provide small pouches to protect your belongings.

Personal equipment - “the sailor's bag”:

- Weather: before leaving, remember to check the weather forecast! (Météo France) and why not download one of the many applications for your smartphone: Weather 4D, Windguru, Météoconsult marine... You will thus have a duffel bag adapted to the weather conditions! Weather forecasts are often random, a little bit of advance to prepare them well will guarantee you navigation in the best conditions.

- The duffel bag: suitcases and handbags with frames as well as shoes with heels are strongly discouraged. Instead, opt for a soft, lightweight and waterproof bag (PVC-coated polyester type). How to organize it? Think about humidity! Ideally, you should pack everything separately using bags or pouches that are as waterproof as possible (plastic pouches, trash bags, etc.). For your fragile and valuable items (cameras, mobile phone, etc.), remember to bring a waterproof and floating pouch (sold in all specialized marine stores). Also, be reasonable about the volume of it. Of a maximum of 70L, remember that you will have to wear it at some point and that space on board is limited.

- What to take? Cold and humidity: these are two very feared enemies of sailors. It is important to remember to protect your head, neck, hands and feet, which cool quickly on board (in the evening or in bad weather). So remember to bring a hat, scarf, gloves, socks and warm shoes (depending on the weather). Of course everything depends on the destination, but don't forget that evenings can be chilly and the wind cold! Raincoat and watch jacket. The perfect sailor wears pants with fairly high straps, such as overalls. As for the jacket, if it has a double closure and protects the wrists and neck well, that's perfect! Today you can find them at very reasonable prices in all sports equipment stores. But they can be replaced by waterproof pants and a warm “ski jacket” type jacket. Some shops even offer to rent this type of equipment so plan ahead and find out a month before the start of your cruise.

- Shoes: a pair of “tennis” or “boat shoes” with non-slip soles, sandals and a pair of plastic boots, this is what you would ideally need to protect your feet from the cold, water and blows. As for women, heeled shoes are forbidden on board, because they damage the boat and are not at all suitable for cruising (you can however keep a pair for stopovers, but no more!).

- The sleeping bag: the essential for sleeping! We recommend a sleeping bag of +7° or more. But now it's up to you to see! (Tip on board: don't sleep fully clothed because your body produces heat, not your sleeping bag.)

- The essentials: sunscreen, Biafine, sunglasses (preferably with a cord), hat, flashlight, personal pharmacy, pocket knife.


This is a non-exhaustive list that should be adapted according to your sailing spot.Provide small pouches to protect your belongings, put your belongings in soft bags that can easily be stored on board (Do not take a hard suitcase), bring a duvet and/or a sleeping sheet, rain gear, rain gear, non-slip shoes, headlamp, spare clothes, cap or hat, light clothing to protect yourself from the sun and sunscreen. For the hottest destinations, you can also bring fins, mask and snorkel if you have them.

Depending on the objective of each person, the UCPA cruise school's internship offer is available on liveable sailboats from 7 m 60 to 13 m that can accommodate 6 to 10 people on board.
For cruises in France, the fleet consists of 36 and 38 foot Jeanneau habitable monohulls for UCPA boats, and DUFOUR, Bavaria, RM and Harmony for rental yachts whose size varies from 36 to 44 feet. As for the international programs, they take place on comfortable and recent marine monohulls that we rent to our partners, thus guaranteeing us the appropriate management of these 36 to 44 foot units. Ideal for sailing in the sun and very well equipped.

During the day, sailing times alternate with moments of relaxation and escape (swimming, excursions and visits to the maritime region).
Reception at the port on the pontoons/crew training (airport reception in the French overseas departments and abroad if you travel with UCPA transport)
Presentation of the sailboat/safety overview.
Assessment of the level and expectations of each.
Menu preparation and supplies.
Coastal Sailing
Discovery of a maritime region.
Practice of the liveable sailing activity (reading a map, marine weather, learning to steer, turn, mooring, calculating the tide, wind, marine terms, knots).
Catering and overnight on board, at anchor or in a port.
End of internship
Return to the port of departure.
Boat storage and cleaning.
Collective and individual assessment with the instructor.

Each practice area is carefully selected for maximum enjoyment. We make every effort to select exceptional sites and vast and secure navigation areas so that, at your own pace, you can approach this activity with total freedom.
With our instructors, all passionate, and the crew, you will have the opportunity to build together a sailing course and unforgettable memories.
The sea is a natural environment that can involve risks, so learning takes safety into account right from the start of your program.
A good study of the external conditions and the careful preparation of the crew around the instructor make it possible to choose the best itinerary.
Knowing how to swim is essential.

Volunteer Shipmasters supervise nearly 80% of adult sailing courses (i.e. around 250 active volunteer captains).
They are passionate men and women with the technical, human and educational skills to deal with all situations. All of them come from a course recognized by the French Sailing Federation, most of which was passed at the UCPA Cruise Training Center.
They are all committed to sharing their passion and their profession with you.

Be well equipped to navigate well

Weather forecasts are often random, a little bit of advance to properly prepare your duffel bag will guarantee you navigation in the best conditions.
Here is a non-exhaustive list that will suit your browsing spot. Never forget that even after a nice sunny day in the south of France, a small night breeze will make you appreciate a warm piece of clothing.

Provide small pouches to protect your belongings.

Personal equipment - “the sailor's bag”:

- Weather: before leaving, remember to check the weather forecast! (Météo France) and why not download one of the many applications for your smartphone: Weather 4D, Windguru, Météoconsult marine... You will thus have a duffel bag adapted to the weather conditions! Weather forecasts are often random, a little bit of advance to prepare them well will guarantee you navigation in the best conditions.

- The duffel bag: suitcases and handbags with frames as well as shoes with heels are strongly discouraged. Instead, opt for a soft, lightweight and waterproof bag (PVC-coated polyester type). How to organize it? Think about humidity! Ideally, you should pack everything separately using bags or pouches that are as waterproof as possible (plastic pouches, trash bags, etc.). For your fragile and valuable items (cameras, mobile phone, etc.), remember to bring a waterproof and floating pouch (sold in all specialized marine stores). Also, be reasonable about the volume of it. Of a maximum of 70L, remember that you will have to wear it at some point and that space on board is limited.

- What to take? Cold and humidity: these are two very feared enemies of sailors. It is important to remember to protect your head, neck, hands and feet, which cool quickly on board (in the evening or in bad weather). So remember to bring a hat, scarf, gloves, socks and warm shoes (depending on the weather). Of course everything depends on the destination, but don't forget that evenings can be chilly and the wind cold! Raincoat and watch jacket. The perfect sailor wears pants with fairly high straps, such as overalls. As for the jacket, if it has a double closure and protects the wrists and neck well, that's perfect! Today you can find them at very reasonable prices in all sports equipment stores. But they can be replaced by waterproof pants and a warm “ski jacket” type jacket. Some shops even offer to rent this type of equipment so plan ahead and find out a month before the start of your cruise.

- Shoes: a pair of “tennis” or “boat shoes” with non-slip soles, sandals and a pair of plastic boots, this is what you would ideally need to protect your feet from the cold, water and blows. As for women, heeled shoes are forbidden on board, because they damage the boat and are not at all suitable for cruising (you can however keep a pair for stopovers, but no more!).

- The sleeping bag: the essential for sleeping! We recommend a sleeping bag of +7° or more. But now it's up to you to see! (Tip on board: don't sleep fully clothed because your body produces heat, not your sleeping bag.)

- The essentials: sunscreen, Biafine, sunglasses (preferably with a cord), hat, flashlight, personal pharmacy, pocket knife.


This is a non-exhaustive list that should be adapted according to your sailing spot.Provide small pouches to protect your belongings, put your belongings in soft bags that can easily be stored on board (Do not take a hard suitcase), bring a duvet and/or a sleeping sheet, rain gear, rain gear, non-slip shoes, headlamp, spare clothes, cap or hat, light clothing to protect yourself from the sun and sunscreen. For the hottest destinations, you can also bring fins, mask and snorkel if you have them.