RYA Day Skipper

This 5 day course aims to provide you with all the skills you require to successfully skipper a yacht by day, and includes a number of night hours to boost your confidence at night work.

Most students will have completed a Day Skipper Theory Course before joining the practical, although this is not always necessary, but you do need to know your navigation theory up to this level. Please see our recommended list of literature below.

Over the 5 days you will cover berthing and boat handling in a range of situations, carry out several sailing passages, including navigation, and will experience life on board a cruising yacht. All food is provided (except the first evening meal) and this is a great opportunity to learn not only from our experienced instructors, but also the others on the boat.

This course is popular with those looking to charter yachts, in the UK and abroad, as it is often the minimum requirement for chartering.

Course Structure

Preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, passage making, night cruising

Useful Information

Age requirements: 11 to 17 accompanied by parent or guardian. Over 18 – no guardian required!

Minimal experience: 5 days aboard, 100 nautical miles logged, 4 night hours. Basic sailing ability and a knowledge of navigation to the level of the RYA Day Skipper Theory.

Duration: 5 days, Fri to Wed. Start time of the course 18.00 Fri, end time of the course 15.00 Wed

Maximum number of students per boat: 4 or 5

What’s included: All food on board, fuel, marina fees, pillow and pillow case

Not included: Sleeping bag hire (available at £15 per 5 days), wet weather gear hire (available at £25 per 5 days).