Basic sailing course's are ok me thinks, say up to Day Skipper. A compulsory license in the UK like the ICC might be a good thing, learn the basics and safety skills and the rest will come with experience. If anyone is not a practical type of person probably they would do better with a caravan. if it ain't there in the first place you can't put it there ! Some people collect RYA certs like boy scout badges, it doe's not mean they are good or poor sailors, some of them just think they are superior. If anybody just want's to sit in a Med Marina for 6 mths getting ratted, who gives a damn, they probably still call lines, ropes and think sheets are for the bed ! (sorry, bunk ) The main is to go out there and enjoy. If it's left to Brown & Co the buggers would tax a smile.