Sailing Licence Course
Our sailing licence course in Como prepares you to obtain the sailing and motor licence, or motor only.
From our base on Lake Como we prepare students for the exams to navigate inshore (within 12 miles) or offshore (unlimited), with qualification to skipper vessels up to 24 metres.
2 courses per year
We run 2 courses each year, starting in February and October.
Where we are
Theory classes take place at our premises in Como; practical training between Domaso and La Spezia.
Inshore & offshore
Our courses prepare students for both the inshore (within 12 miles) and offshore (unlimited) sailing licences.
Before you start
When you don't need a sailing licence
Not every day on the water requires a licence. You can go without one, but only if all of these conditions apply together.
Jet skis and water skiing are the exception: there a licence is always required, whatever the power or the distance.
The three conditions, all at once
- 1
At sea, within 6 miles of the coast
Beyond 6 miles a licence is always required. On lakes and inland waters — Lake Como included — there is no distance limit: only the engine matters.
- 2
Engine up to 30 kW (40.8 hp)
Above that power a licence is required, even close to shore. Art. 39 also sets engine displacement limits that vary by engine type: if you are unsure about your boat, write to us.
- 3
Pleasure craft up to 24 metres
Up to 24 metres a boat counts as pleasure craft. Above that it is a pleasure ship: professional qualifications apply, a sailing licence is not enough.
Our advice
Not sure yet whether sailing is for you?
If you have never been on a boat, get on board before signing up for a licence course. Your first day sailing is a full day on Lake Como with one of our instructors: you learn by doing, and by the end you will know whether life on the water is your thing.
And if you decide to go further, nothing is lost: our beginner course awaits in Domaso, and a sailing course on the lake is already included in the licence course.
Discover first time sailing
Theory lessons
At our premises at Como, Viale Geno 14. Both courses include 20 hours of theory (5 weeks). The offshore licence requires an additional 16 hours of chart plotting (4 weeks).
- 21:00 – 23:00
- Monday & Thursday evenings
- 09:00 – 13:00
- Saturday mornings
- 🚤 Hull theory
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- Ship elements and sailing technique
- Running and standing rigging
- The concept of stability
- 🛠 Engine
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- Marine diesel engine operation
- Propeller, rudder and their effects
- Safety equipment
- 🧯 Safety
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- Safety regulations
- Periodic inspections and life-saving equipment
- Procedures for on-board emergencies
- ⎈ Manoeuvres & navigation
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- Port manoeuvring techniques
- Navigation conduct
- Crew management
- 🚨 COLREG & maritime signals
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- International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
- Assistance and rescue
- VHF communications and signalling
- ⛅️ Meteorology
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- Winds and currents
- Weather forecasts
- Weather conditions for navigation
- 🗺 Chart & electronic navigation
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- Mercator projection and chart plotting
- Electronic navigation instruments
- GPS, plotter and digital tools
- 👮🏻♂️ Maritime & environmental regulations
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- National and international regulations
- Environmental standards and sea protection
- Documentation and skipper's responsibilities
Pricing
Choose the right course for you
Courses are divided into two categories: inshore (within 12 miles) and offshore (unlimited).
Inshore (within 12 miles)
990 €in 3 instalments
Qualifies you to operate and command pleasure craft
- Up to 24 metres in length
- No power limits
- Within 12 miles from the nearest coastline (including islands)
Offshore (unlimited)
1100 €in 3 instalments
Qualifies you to operate and command pleasure craft
- Up to 24 metres in length
- No power limits
- No distance limit from the coastline
Included in the course
Everything you need
The costs include
- Theory lessons
- Theory lessons at the Club premises.
- Study materials
- Textbook, nautical charts, set squares, bag, stationery.
- Dedicated website
- Access to a dedicated website to practise ministry quizzes and chart plotting problems.
- Revenue stamps
- Two €16 revenue stamps.
- Sailing course
- A sailing course (beginner or intermediate) on the lake.
- Certified sea hours
- The mandatory hours of certified experience on larger cabin boats.
- Certification & support
- Hour certification, assistance and exam presentation.
- Administrative duties
- All administrative and secretarial tasks.
- Fees & taxes
- All payment slips, remittances and exam fees.
- Administrative procedures
- Handling of all administrative procedures.
- Exam boat trial
- The exam boat trial (in Como for the inshore motor licence, in La Spezia for the others).
- Exam boat rental
- Rental of the exam boat.
Not included
The costs do not include
- Medical examination for exam registration
- Medical examination by the Health Officer at our premises (€40).
- Membership fee
- Membership fee and insurance for Circolo Velico Annje Bonnje asd (€50/year).
- Sports medical certificate
- Non-competitive sports medical certificate (with ECG) for practical outings (mandatory).
- Additional practical outings
- Additional practical outings (sailing or motor) from €45/day.
Frequently asked questions
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, contact us and we'll be happy to help.
- I have never been on a boat — can I still take part?
- Absolutely. Our sailing licence course and our beginner course (Corso Base) are designed for people who have never set foot on a sailing boat.
- What should I bring with me on board?
- A packed lunch is a good idea, and you should always bring plenty of water. Trainers, comfortable clothes in layers (with a waterproof outer layer), a windproof jacket, a hat and sunglasses (ideally with a retaining strap), and sunscreen. Bring a buoyancy aid if you have one — if not, we will provide one for you.
- Do I have to become a member to take part?
- Yes. As an association, all of our activities are for members: on top of the course or cruise price there is the membership card (€50 a year), which includes insurance. It is not a service fee but your membership of Annje Bonnje — it lasts the whole year and also gives you access to the other courses, the cruises and the events at our clubhouse.
- Do I need a medical certificate?
- Yes. For insurance reasons you must provide a medical certificate for non-competitive sporting activity — ask your doctor for a "certificato medico per attività sportiva non agonistica".
- Are you a company?
- No. Annje Bonnje is a non-profit amateur sports association (in Italian, an "associazione sportiva dilettantistica", or asd). Everything on this site is organised by members and for members, and the prices shown cover the costs incurred and the teaching itself — they are a sharing of expenses, not a margin.
- Should I start with the Corso Base or with the licence course?
- If you have never been on a boat, get on board before signing up for the licence course. The Corso Base runs over 4 days in Domaso, on Lake Como: you learn by doing, and by the end you will know whether life on the water is your thing.
- I live abroad — can I take the Italian "patente nautica"?
- Yes, but you must be fluent in Italian. If you are an Italian citizen resident abroad, you will also need to provide your AIRE registration certificate (certificato di iscrizione AIRE).