RYA Day Skipper

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to cruising for inexperienced yacht and motor cruiser skippers. It will equip you with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising

Normal delivery will take place in the evenings, 3 hours per week over a period of 16 weeks. .

Course Structure

The basics of seamanship.

The essentials of coastal navigation and pilotage.

Chartwork. electronic charts.

Position fixing. plotting a course to steer.

Weather forecasting and meteorology.

Tides.

Collision regulations.

Construction, parts and equipment of a cruising boat.

Emergency and safety procedures including distress calls, use of flares, safety harnesses, lifejackets and liferafts.

In conjunction with the UK Hydrographic Office the RYA have developed a chart plotter specifically for use on training courses, giving you a realistic insight into electronic navigation. Use of this plotter is an integral part of this Day Skipper shorebased course.

Useful Information

Some practical experience is desirable. It is recommended that you should have completed the RYA ‘Essential Navigation and Seamanship’ course. Ideally participants should be at least 16 years of age but there is no formal age restriction.