Skipper Selection

Pontine Islands · 1 Training/Alignment weekend · Boarding from Marina di Nettuno (or Ostia Tourist Harbor)

4.9

236 reviews

Skipper Selection

Pontine Islands · 1 Training/Alignment weekend · Boarding from Marina di Nettuno (or Ostia Tourist Harbor)

Starting

from 0,00 €

CHOOSE

Starting

from 0,00 €

3 days and 2 nights

CHOOSE A DATE

Skipper Selection
Put your talent at the helm to the test and join the Different Sailing team. We are looking for Skippers and Co-Skippers ready to turn their passion into a profession, leading our crews through training courses and educational cruises in Italy and abroad. This selection is not just a technical test, but an immersion into our philosophy of the sea: responsibility, competence, and team spirit.

During the training and alignment weekend, you will have the chance to demonstrate your boat and crew management skills, fully living out our motto: Have Fun Sailing. This is the ideal gateway for those wishing to join a center of excellence and sail as a key member of our staff and partner flotillas.

At the end of the course, a final evaluation will take place: our instructors will provide in-depth feedback on your technical and interpersonal skills, evaluating your official placement within the team for the upcoming seasons.

Departure: Marina di Nettuno / Port of Ostia.
Level: Expert (command aptitude and responsibility required).
Certification: Evaluation for placement within the Different Sailing and Sailsquare staff.

How is our Skipper Selection structured?
Different Sailing organizes a Skipper Selection (alignment and training) that begins with a live online test of 32 questions, with a maximum time of 32 minutes to complete (approximately 1 minute per question).

If your score is > 25: Different Sailing offers you the opportunity to participate in the Skipper Selection for free.
If your score is between 23 and 25: The cost of the selection will cover only the raw weekend expenses, totaling €90.
If your score is between 18 and 23: The course fee is €150.
If your score is < 18: The fee is €220.

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Watch our boats

Duration: 3 days and 2 nights

PLEASE NOTE: you can book the ENTIRE BOAT with a skipper-instructor and choose the type of experience.

What kind of experience is it?

Social & good vibes
Relax
Photos & great moments
Family-friendly
Sailing: basics & maneuvers
Nature & views

What you'll learn on board

Technical Check-in: Managing diagnostics and performing a complete hull inspection prior to departure.
Briefing and Leadership: Conducting pre-departure briefings and managing the psychological dynamics of an inexperienced crew.
Maneuvers and Mooring: Perfecting mooring, anchoring, and piloting techniques under various conditions.

Show all goals

Teaser video

Discover our Skipper Selection with this video: an intensive alignment and training program dedicated to those who want to turn their experience at the helm into a professional career.

Have Fun Sailing. Put yourself to the test and start your journey to officially join our team and partner flotillas!

What our guests say

Course Syllabus & Route

This season, we are offering an engaging training experience heading to the Pontine Islands: we are looking for Skippers and Co-Skippers ready to join our team for flotillas in Italy and abroad.

We will turn the selection weekend into a real-world test of command and leadership, balancing technical boat management with crew coordination, to blend professionalism with the joy of sailing together according to our motto: Have Fun Sailing.

The program may be subject to changes based on weather and sea conditions, at the sole discretion of the skipper-instructor, to ensure the highest safety standards.

1 weekend (3 days / 2 nights)

IMBARCO

Friday from 6:00 PM at the port of Ostia or Nettuno.
SBARCO

Sunday by 6:30 PM at the Ostia Tourist Harbor (or the Marina di Nettuno Harbor).

Pricing details

from 0,00 €
/person

Included
- Double cabin accommodation
- Skipper / Instructor
- Third-party liability (RCT) and Kasko (Hull) insurance
- UISP membership card
NOT included
- Galley (Food & Drink)
- Fuel: €9/h to be split among all crew members
- Final cleaning: €120 to be split among all crew members
- Mooring fees: Any fees in ports other than the embarkation/disembarkation port
- Security Deposit: €150 per person. This will be fully refunded if no damage occurs (which is certain if the instructor's guidelines are followed).
- Estimated extras: Based on our experience, extra costs for this course amount to approximately €20.00–€30.00 per person.

CHOOSE A DATE

How to get here

Boarding Point

Marina di Nettuno

Driving from Rome

View Route

Train Rome – Nettuno

Trenitalia Timetable

From the Station

A 15-minute walk to the marina

Parking is available at the marina. Please check availability and current rates with the facility. Our Recommendation: We suggest booking one parking spot per boat inside the marina at a cost of €15 per day. This cost will be shared among all participants on your boat.

Our boats

Sanbosò -Elan Impression 434

Con i suoi quasi 14 metri e una carena che garantisce stabilità, Sanbosò è una barca spaziosa, solida e marina. È un’imbarcazione dotata di ogni comfort per la vita di bordo, con equipaggiamento completo ideale per vivere al meglio l’esperienza in rada.

Cabine
3 matrimoniali 1 cuccetta a castello 1 skipper
Posti Letto
8 + Skipper
Bagni
2 bagni
Le Pleiadi -Bavaria 44

Con quasi 14 metri di lunghezza e una carena solida e marina, Le Pleiadi è una barca estremamente vivibile, comoda e ideale per la navigazione a vela. È un’imbarcazione dotata di ogni comfort, come i bagni elettrici e ampi spazi, perfetta per una vacanza itinerante in totale relax.

Cabine
3 matrimoniali 1 cuccetta a castello 1 skipper
Posti Letto
8 + Skipper
Bagni
2 bagni elettrici
Ma Mousse – Beneteau 50

Con i suoi volumi generosi e una configurazione che garantisce massima abitabilità e privacy, Ma Mousse è una barca solida, funzionale e ideale per la vita di bordo. Dotata di ampi spazi e accessori extra come il doppio frigo, è l’imbarcazione perfetta per ospitare grandi equipaggi in totale comodità.

Cabine
4 matrimoniali + 1 cabina marinaio con letti a castello
Posti Letto
10 ospiti + Skipper
Bagni
5

Scopri l’Arcipelago

Tourist Information

Pro Loco di Ponza

Pro Loco di Ventotene

Visit Lazio Palmarola

Weather & Wind

Windfinder Ponza

Drone Footage

Different Sailing YouTube

Our Gallery

Watch Our Experience Videos

Dining in Ponza

Best Restaurants & Local Eats

FAQ

Skipper Selection Topics:

Vessel Check-in
Pre-departure Briefing
Mooring and Anchoring
Sailing Vessel Handling
Safety Procedures
Heavy Weather Navigation
Inexperienced Crew Management
Psychological Management of the Crew
Passage Plan
Use of Electronic Navigation Apps
Meteorology
Main Onboard Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Our Skipper Training:

We have designed a growth path for participants in our skipper training courses, which will define the future roles within the Different Sailing flotilla staff. At the end of the weekends, participants will receive a certification stating the level achieved:

Level 1 – Co-Skipper: Those who have not yet reached full autonomy in vessel handling but will support skippers in upcoming fleets.
Level 2 – Skipper: Those authorized to lead vessels in the Mediterranean, qualified for monohulls up to 50 ft.
Level 3 – Expert Skipper: Those who will lead vessels worldwide, qualified for multihulls up to 48 ft. and monohulls over 51 ft.
Level 4 – Lead Skipper (Capogruppo): Level 3 skippers who assist Fleet Leads by overseeing specific groups of boats.
Level 5 – Fleet Lead (Capoflotta): Level 3 skippers who manage entire fleets in the Mediterranean and the Tropics.

Is our course right for you?

Yes, if you have already gained solid nautical and sailing experience.
Yes, if you wish to take an advanced sailing course, even if you haven’t obtained your boat license yet.
Yes, if you want to improve your sailing skills: learning to perform safe moorings and anchorings, and testing your abilities during navigation in more challenging conditions.

This skipper course is also designed for anyone wishing to become a crew member in one of our flotillas, in the role of co-skipper.

Becoming a skipper requires more than just nautical and sailing skills; it also demands significant interpersonal and leadership abilities. These skills allow for the best management of onboard group dynamics and any unforeseen events. Furthermore, it is essential to learn how to: prevent problems, maintain the vessel in peak efficiency, think quickly, and anticipate changes in weather conditions to find safe shelter or a valid alternative.

How does the common kitty (cassa comune) work?

It is a shared fund for the galley (food and drinks), fuel, and moorings (if applicable). The skipper is exempt from contributing. The total amount varies based on the group’s preferences and choices.

BOARDING CLASSES

Sailing vessels 45 feet and larger.

How does the final evaluation work?

The instructor monitors each participant throughout the entire weekend: port maneuvers, anchoring, sailing, and crew behavior.

On Sunday afternoon, before disembarking, each participant receives individual feedback on the skills acquired and advice on the most suitable next step for their journey.

SINGLE SPOT

SCORE >25

Available

0,00 €

Per person

BOOK YOUR SPOT

SCORE Between 23 and 25

Available

99,00 €

Per person

BOOK YOUR SPOT

SCORE Between 18 and 23

Available

169,00 €

Per person

BOOK YOUR SPOT

SCORE < 18

Available

239,00 €

Per person

BOOK YOUR SPOT

Skipper Selection

Skipper Selection

What kind of experience is it?

What you'll learn on board

Teaser video

What our guests say