Sailing school Lake Biel
Learn to sail on Lake Biel – personal, uncomplicated, and practice-oriented.
At Eddy Boat, we prepare you specifically for the practical sailing exam for the category D boat license (D license) – at your own pace, on modern dinghies or yachts, and with plenty of experience by your side. Whether you want to obtain the D license, refresh old skills, or simply improve your sailing without aiming for an exam – with us, you’ll find the right course. All courses start directly from Vingelz on Lake Biel – one of the most beautiful sailing areas in Switzerland.
Preparation for the sailing license exam (D license)
In this course, we prepare you specifically for the practical sailing exam for the D license – thoroughly, personally, and on Lake Biel.
You want to obtain the category D boat license – the so-called D license? Then you’re in the right place. In this course, you’ll learn everything you need for the practical sailing exam: safe maneuvering under sail, handling maneuvers like “man overboard,” docking and undocking, reefing in strong wind, heading up, bearing away, and tacking. We’ll show you the most important knots, explain how to use sail and wind efficiently – and help you get ready for the exam situation.
Training takes place on the J70 yacht, which is especially well suited for beginners – responsive, agile, and honest in its feedback.
Depending on your previous experience, preparation time may vary. We’ll guide you from your first maneuver all the way to passing the exam on Lake Biel – one of the most beautiful sailing areas in Switzerland.
By the way: the D license is sometimes also referred to as the “sailing license” – but its official name is category D boat license.
Prices
| Offer | Prices |
|---|---|
| Single lesson (1h) | CHF 100.00 |
| Lesson for two (1h) | CHF 100.00 (CHF 50.00 p.P.) |
| 10-lesson subscription | CHF 900.00 (1 lesson free) |
| Exam fees | CHF 50.00 |
| Boat insurance | CHF 50.00 |
Requirements
To be admitted to the practical exam for the category D boat license (sailing vessels), you must:
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be at least 14 years old (reference date: day of the exam)
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have a residence in Switzerland or hold a Swiss learner’s permit
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present a current eye test from a recognized specialist
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have passed the theory exam for category A/D
In certain cases, a medical certificate is also required – for example:
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if you are over 65 years old
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in case of hearing impairments
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or if other health-related limitations are present
For more information and a list of recognized doctors, visit medtraffic.ch.
Clothing
On the dinghy (Melges M15), it can get wet quickly – we recommend waterproof clothing (in good weather, swimwear and a T-shirt are fine), non-slip shoes (no boots!) with light-colored soles, and a rain jacket if needed.
On the sailing yacht (J70), it stays drier, but weather-appropriate clothing is still important – especially wind protection.
A hat, sunglasses, and sun protection are also essential in good weather.
We provide life jackets in both cases.
Sailing courses on dinghies & yachts
You want to sail without exam pressure, develop your skills, or simply spend time on Lake Biel? Then our sailing courses are just right for you.
This course is for anyone who wants to deepen or rediscover sailing – entirely without the intention of taking an exam. Whether you want to improve your maneuvers, better understand the interaction between wind and sail, or just enjoy some relaxed time on the water: we tailor the course to your goals.
You also decide which boat you’d like to sail: the sporty Melges M15 dinghy – responsive, light, and agile – or the more comfortable J70 sailing yacht, which remains steady even in stronger winds.
The sessions can be scheduled individually – whether alone or as a pair. This way, we can focus specifically on your skills and wishes.
Prices
| Offer | Prices |
|---|---|
| Single lesson (1h) | CHF 100.00 |
| Lesson for two (1h) | CHF 100.00 (CHF 50.00 p.P.) |
| 10-lesson subscription | CHF 900.00 (1 lesson free) |
| Exam fees | CHF 50.00 |
| Boat insurance | CHF 50.00 |
Clothing
On the dinghy (Melges M15), it can get wet quickly – we recommend waterproof clothing (in good weather, swimwear and a T-shirt are fine), non-slip shoes (no boots!) with light-colored soles, and a rain jacket if needed.
On the sailing yacht (J70), it stays drier, but weather-appropriate clothing is still important – especially wind protection.
A hat, sunglasses, and sun protection are also essential in good weather.
We provide life jackets in both cases.
Notes
Anyone who enjoys being on the water and is interested in sailing is welcome. You don’t need a D license – some initial sailing experience is helpful, but not required.
Refresher courses sailing
You learned to sail in the past but haven’t been on the water in a while? In our refresher courses, you’ll return to sailing in a relaxed way.
Whether you got your D license years ago or have simply taken a long break from sailing – our refresher course will bring you safely and at your own pace back into the cockpit. Together, we’ll review all the key maneuvers: tacking, jibing, docking, bearing away, reefing – hands-on and easy to understand. You decide what we focus on.
We’ll sail either on a Melges M15 dinghy or a J70 sailing yacht – depending on what you feel more comfortable with. Your previous experience and preferences determine the pace and depth of the course.
You’ll be surprised how quickly it all comes back – and how good that feels.
Prices
| Offer | Prices |
|---|---|
| Single lesson (1h) | CHF 100.00 |
| Lesson for two (1h) | CHF 100.00 (CHF 50.00 p.P.) |
| 10-lesson subscription | CHF 900.00 (1 lesson free) |
| Boat insurance | CHF 50.00 |
Notes
This course is for anyone who has sailed before – whether with or without a D license. You should feel generally comfortable on the water, but you don’t need to know everything – that’s what we’re here for.
Trim courses for dinghy & yacht
More speed, more control, more feel for the boat: in our trim courses, we show you how to get the most out of your rig and sails.
If you already know how to sail but want to understand and feel your boat even better, this is the right place for you. In the trim course, you’ll learn how to adjust sails and rig optimally – depending on wind, course, and boat type.
We focus on the fine details:
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How does the traveller affect your sail shape?
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When is it worth easing the mainsheet or tightening the outhaul?
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How do you recognize overpower or underpower in the sail?
We practice all this hands-on on Lake Biel – on a sporty dinghy (Melges M15) or a dynamic J70 sailing yacht. You’ll get direct feedback, valuable tips, and develop a better feel for balance, speed, and flow behavior.
Prices
| Offer | Prices |
|---|---|
| Single lesson (1h) | CHF 100.00 |
| Lesson for two (1h) | CHF 100.00 (CHF 50.00 p.P.) |
| 10-lesson subscription | CHF 900.00 (1 lesson free) |
| Boat insurance | CHF 50.00 |
Gennaker sailing on dinghy & yacht
Want to really pick up speed with the gennaker? In this course, you’ll learn how to hoist, sail, and douse this light wind sail – safely, efficiently, and with fun.
The gennaker is the perfect sail for beam and broad reaches – faster than a jib or genoa, but also more demanding to handle. In this course, you’ll learn how to safely set the gennaker, how to trim it, and how to douse it in increasing wind. We’ll practice clean deployment, sail handling at various wind angles, and tactical use during course changes.
You’ll also learn how to deal with typical challenges – such as twisting, filling, or line management.
You’ll sail on the Melges M15 dinghy or the J70 sailing yacht, both equipped with a modern asymmetrical gennaker. We’ll teach you not only the technique, but also the feel needed for speed, timing, and sail tension.
Prices
| Offer | Prices |
|---|---|
| Single lesson (1h) | CHF 100.00 |
| Lesson for two (1h) | CHF 100.00 (CHF 60.00 p.P.) |
| 10-lesson subscription | CHF 900.00 (1 lesson free) |
| Boat insurance | CHF 50.00 |
Requirements
This course is for advanced sailors who are familiar with basic maneuvers and want to expand their skills using the gennaker. Some prior experience with a dinghy or yacht is an advantage.
Introduction to regatta sailing
Want to know how a regatta works, what rules apply – and how to sail at the front? In this course, you’ll dive into the world of competitive sailing.
This course is for sailors who want to learn regatta sailing from the ground up. You’ll learn the most important racing rules, how a regatta course is structured, what to pay attention to before the start – and how to sail tactically and smart. We’ll practice starts, buoy maneuvers, clean tacks under pressure, and how to trim your boat optimally to stay competitive on all points of sail. Lake Biel offers ideal conditions for first regatta experiences – and our Melges M15 dinghies and J70 yachts are sporty, responsive, and race-ready.
In addition to hands-on training, you’ll also get an introduction to racing rules, protest procedures, start signals, and the basics of tactics.
A course for those who want more than just relaxed cruising – and still want to enjoy being on the water.
Prices
| Offer | Prices |
|---|---|
| Single lesson (1h) | CHF 100.00 |
| Lesson for two (1h) | CHF 100.00 (CHF 50.00 p.P.) |
| 10-lesson subscription | CHF 900.00 (1 lesson free) |
| Boat insurance | CHF 50.00 |
Requirements
You should be able to sail confidently and enjoy a sporting challenge. You don’t need any regatta experience – just motivation to learn something new and, if necessary, a willingness to get wet.