Learn to sail
NauticEd and MarineVerse bring you the first VR Sailing Course
Master your boat and sailing techniques in a safe environment.
Have more fun on the water.
- Are you dreaming of a sailing lifestyle but unsure where to begin?
- Are you planning a cruise and taking sailing lessons but want safe practice to build your skills and confidence?
- Are you a sailor and do need to refresh your skills?
This training is for you.
MarineVerse has partnered with NauticEd to bring the best training curriculum to VR. You can practice at your own pace, trimming sails, managing boat speed, and navigating for different points of sail.
And the Self Mastery course is included for free in the price of MarineVerse Cup app.
Introduction to sailing in VR
Learn to skipper boats in a fun interactive way using the latest virtual reality gadgets. Available for Meta Quest.
What to expect from the Self Mastery training course?
Practice at your own speed and master important sailing skills including:
Self Mastery
How to sail upwind in MarineVerse Cup?
Navigation Rules
Learn more: NauticEd and MarineVerse Navigation Rules
Docking
Learn more: Practice docking in VR
How to finish a race in MarineVerse Cup?
Download MarineVerse Cup for Meta Quest and start sailing today.
Join our free chat server to ask questions, meet experienced sailors, and connect with beginners.
Relax
Missing the joy of sailing? With 5 boats and 7 locations you can cruise or play games to chill and explore.
Race
Want adrenaline and a chance to invite your buddies for a good game? Join daily, weekly, or monthly races. Refine your technique and make it to the podium.
Connect
Join a community of passionate virtual and real-life sailors who can answer your questions and join you for multiplayer racing.
Learn how to tie knots in Mixed Reality
Download Rigging Drill for free
Points of Sail Trainer
Learn the different points of sail with our interactive Points of Sail Trainer. Drag the boat to see how sail trim changes relative to wind direction.
Sail around the world (Beta)
Join the MarineVerse Globe Beta to practice your navigation skills.
MarineVerse Sailing Learning Content
Structured view of all instructional modules, tutorials, and learning experiences available in MarineVerse Sailing Club.
| Pillar | Focus |
|---|---|
| Pillar 1: NauticEd Training Room | Most educational part of the app, with structured exercises for specific sailing skills. |
| Pillar 2: MarineVerse Cup | Race against bots and real people with guided tutorials that teach newcomers enough to start racing quickly. |
| Pillar 3: MarineVerse Globe | Cruising simulation with persistent boats sailing 24/7 for long-distance strategy and passage planning. |
Pillar 1: NauticEd Training Room
The most educational part of the app, featuring structured exercises for specific sailing skills.
- Self Mastery - Yacht wind awareness and basic maneuvers
- Navigation Rules - COLREGS and buoyage systems
- Docking Skills - Motor yacht maneuvering under power
- Sail Shape - Sail controls and sail shape response: vang, outhaul, downhaul
- Sailing Knots - Via Rigging Drill app
Pillar 2: MarineVerse Cup
No prior sailing knowledge is required. After basic lessons, sailors can race competitively in Daily Race Practice and multiplayer, relax in Free Sail mode, and progress to Globe mode for ocean cruising.
Pillar 3: MarineVerse Globe
- When online: Full control of the boat, experiencing real weather based on actual forecasts for your location and time.
- When offline: The boat continues sailing autonomously.
- Skills developed: Passage planning, weather forecast reading, watch keeping, and long-distance strategy.
Self Mastery (Yacht)
Guided sailing exercises focusing on fundamental sailing skills.
| Module | What users learn |
|---|---|
| The No Go Zone | Understanding the no-sail zone (11-1 o'clock relative to wind), recovery from in irons. |
| Points of Sail | All sailing angles relative to wind (beam reach, close haul, broad reach, run), port/starboard tack identification. |
| Tacking | Turning the boat through the wind, sail management during tack, switching sides, windward helm positioning. |
| Gybing | Turning with the wind from behind, controlled boom swing, switching from port to starboard tack downwind. |
| On Port | Sailing on port tack: straight line sailing, sail trim, boat handling. |
| On Starboard | Sailing on starboard tack: straight line sailing, sail trim, boat handling. |
| Sailing with Wind Vane | Using wind instruments, reading apparent vs true wind. |
| Sail a Course Set | Following a planned course, navigation between waypoints. |
Navigation Rules (Powerboat)
Recognizing marks while under way. Learning COLREGS (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea).
| Lesson name | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Head-On Situations | Rule 14: Both vessels alter course to starboard. |
| Head-On (IALA A) | Head-on rules with IALA Region A buoyage. |
| Power vs Power | Crossing situations, give-way vessel rules. |
| Power vs Power (IALA A) | Crossing rules with IALA Region A. |
| Channel Navigation | Keeping to the correct side of a channel. Channel marks. |
| Channel Navigation 2 | Advanced channel scenarios. |
| Channel (IALA A) | Channel rules with IALA Region A buoyage. |
| Cardinal Marks | Understanding cardinal mark buoyage system. |
| Cardinal Marks (IALA A) | Cardinal marks in IALA Region A. |
| Safe Water & Danger Marks | Safe water marks, isolated danger marks. |
| Safe Water (IALA A) | Safe water marks in IALA Region A. |
Docking Modules (Motor Yacht)
Practice docking and maneuvering under power. Membership is required for full access.
Goal: Learn about Momentum
| Exercise | Title | What users learn |
|---|---|---|
| M2-1 | Forward Momentum (downwind) | Boat momentum with wind from behind, using reverse to stop, timing engine commands. |
| M2-2 | Forward Momentum (upwind) | Boat momentum against the wind, wind assists stopping. |
| M2-3 | Forward Momentum (crosswind) | Boat momentum with beam wind, drift compensation. |
Goal: Learn about Maneuvering Forward
| Exercise | Title | What users learn |
|---|---|---|
| M3-1 | Straight Line | Maintaining a straight course under power. |
| M3-2 | Turning to Port | Port-side turning characteristics. |
| M3-3 | Figure 8's | Maneuvering confidence, turning at high revs, gaining control. |
| M3-4 | Turning to Starboard | Starboard-side turning characteristics. |
Goal: Learn about Propwalk
| Exercise | Title | What users learn |
|---|---|---|
| M4-1 | Propwalk in Reverse | How propeller rotation affects boat direction in reverse. |
| M4-2 | Using Propwalk | Utilizing propwalk for tight maneuvering. |
| M4-3 | Propwalk Compensation | Counteracting unwanted propwalk effects. |
| M4-4 | Advanced Propwalk | Complex maneuvers using propwalk. |
Goal: Learn about Reversing
| Exercise | Title | What users learn |
|---|---|---|
| M5-1 | Reverse Basics | Basic reversing technique. |
| M5-2 | Reverse Straight Line | Maintaining course while reversing. |
| M5-3 | Reverse Turn to Port | Turning while reversing. |
| M5-4 | Reverse Turn to Starboard | Correcting course while reversing. |
| M5-5 | Reverse with Wind | Reversing in windy conditions. |
| M5-6 | Reverse Stopping | Stopping from reverse. |
| M5-7 | Reverse Figure 8 | Complex reverse maneuvering. |
| M5-8 | Reverse Parking | Parking in reverse. |
| M5-9 | Reverse Exit | Exiting a space in reverse. |
| M5-10 | Advanced Reverse | Complex reverse scenarios. |
| M5-11 | Reverse Challenge | Skills test. |
Goal: Learn about Spring Lines
| Exercise | Title | What users learn |
|---|---|---|
| M7-1 | Spring Line Basics | What spring lines are and when to use them. |
| M7-2 | Bow Spring | Using bow spring to pivot the stern. |
| M7-3 | Stern Spring | Using stern spring to pivot the bow. |
| M7-4 | Wind with Springs | Managing wind using spring lines. |
| M7-5 | Departing with Springs | Controlled departure using springs. |
| M7-6 | Arriving with Springs | Controlled arrival using springs. |
| M7-7 | Advanced Spring Work | Complex spring line scenarios. |
Goal: Master Docking Maneuvers
| Exercise | Title | What users learn |
|---|---|---|
| M9-1 | Exiting Slip Bow-in | Exit planning, reversing out of slip, wind consideration. |
| M9-2 | Entering Slip Bow-in | Approaching and entering a slip bow-first. |
| M9-3 | Exiting Slip Stern-in | Driving out forward from a stern-in position. |
| M9-4 | Entering Slip Stern-in | Reverse parking into a slip. |
| M9-5 | Side Tie Departure | Leaving from alongside a dock. |
| M9-6 | Side Tie Arrival | Approaching and securing alongside. |
| M9-7 | Med Mooring Exit | Mediterranean-style mooring departure. |
| M9-8 | Med Mooring Entry | Mediterranean-style mooring arrival. |
| M9-9 | Tight Quarters | Maneuvering in confined spaces. |
| M9-10 | Current Effects | Docking with current. |
| M9-11 | Strong Wind Docking | Docking in challenging wind conditions. |
| M9-12 | Final Challenge | Comprehensive docking skills test. |
Basic Tutorials (Racing Yacht)
Accessed via progression system or Main Menu > Sailing Lessons.
Key concepts: wind direction, no-go zone, sail trim, points of sail, and starting the race.
| Lesson name | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Basics Tutorial | Moving around the yacht, basic VR controls. |
| Basic Controls | Different ways to steer the boat (grabbing, controllers, laser pointer). |
| Wind Direction | Understanding wind direction in VR, reading wind indicators, what is the no-go zone and how to stop. |
| Sailing Terms | Main sail, jib, helm, winch, winch handle, port, starboard. |
| Upwind Sailing | Tacking, sailing upwind using zig-zag patterns, sailboats can't sail directly into wind. Trim for upwind. |
| Controlling Speed | Adjusting speed based on Point of Sail, sail trim basics for downwind. |
| Starting a Race | Race start procedure in VR, timing the line approach. |
| Spinnaker Tutorial | Flying and controlling the spinnaker sail in VR (simplified). |
Small Boat Tutorials
| Lesson name | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Come Aboard Hansa 303 | Hansa 303 controls, physical joystick steering, getting comfortable in the boat. |
| Lesson name | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Come Aboard Dinghy | Dinghy controls, tiller steering, body positioning. |
| Sailing Fast (Dinghy) | How to adjust sails based on the point of sail. Flat boat = fast boat. |
| Lesson name | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Opti Going Fast | How to adjust sails based on the point of sail. |
| Lesson name | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Cat Going Fast | How to adjust sails based on the point of sail. |
| Try Flying the Hull | Hull flying technique, weight distribution. |
| Lesson name | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Try Foiling | Demo level, boat is already foiling. |
| How to Foil | Introduction to foiling, getting airborne. |
| Upwind Foiling | Foiling while sailing upwind. |
| Downwind Foiling | Foiling while sailing downwind. |
Racing Rules Tutorials
| Lesson name | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Port/Starboard Rule | Rule 1: Port gives way to Starboard. |
| Windward/Leeward Rule | Rule 2: Windward boat keeps clear of leeward boat. |
| Overtaking Rule | Rule 3: Overtaking boat must keep clear. |
| No Barging Rule | Rule 4: No barging at the start line. |
| Mark Room Rule | Mark rounding rules, room at marks. |
Racing Modes
| Mode | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Easy Race (Mini-Game) | Simple downwind course testing steering and sail trim for downwind. |
| Time Trial Races | Timed races to practice race courses and improve technique. Boat handling, sail trim, racing rules. |
| Daily Race Practice | Asynchronous ghost racing with daily-generated courses, racing against other players without scheduling. |
| Multiplayer Racing | Solo (fleet) racing or team match racing against other people. |
Free Sailing A chance to try the boat without any specific goal. Relax and explore various locations around the world.
Harvest Mini-Games Designed for younger sailors. To complete the challenges, users demonstrate boat handling and correct sail trim.
MarineVerse Globe
Real-world sailing simulation with persistent boats sailing 24/7.
| Feature | What users learn |
|---|---|
| Real Weather | Reading weather forecasts, understanding wind patterns, planning around weather systems. |
| Day/Night Cycle | Watch keeping, night sailing awareness, navigation in varying visibility. |
| Global Exploration | Passage planning, route optimization, long-distance sailing strategy. |
| 24/7 Sailing | Time management, crew rotations concept, patience and persistence in offshore sailing. |
Last updated: March 2026
Ready for Real Water?
VR training is a great way to build confidence and practice skills in a safe environment. When you're ready to take your sailing to the next level, find a local sailing club to continue your journey.
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