RYA Day Skipper

At the end of this course you will be confident to skipper a cruising yacht on short passages by day in sheltered waters (for example Port Phillip).

Students live aboard the yacht for the duration of the course, visiting different harbours and anchorages to practice pilotage techniques. In addition to day sailing, you will experience some night sailing to understand the challange of night pilotage.

Students who successfully complete the course are awarded the RYA Day Skipper certificate. This certificate is recognised throughout the world and can lead to a professional qualification.

Course Structure

Preparation for sea: Provisioning, crew briefing ,engine & safety equipment checks, stowage, weather, charts.

Deck work: sail setting and reefing, anchoring, mooring alongside

Yacht handling under power and sail, broad knowledge and skill

Navigation: fixes, electronic navigation, waypoints, dead reckoning, estimated positions, tide heights and streams, IALA buoyage, log

Pilotage: preparing a plan, leading and clearing lines, transits and soundings

Meteorology: sources of weather forecast, use of barometer

Rules of the road: The International Regulations for Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS)

Maintenance and repairs: checks and minor repairs, properties of rope

Engine: changing fuel and oil filters, water pump impeller and bleed fuel system

Victualling: what is required

Emergency situations: Man overboard (MOB) techniques, distress flares, liferaft, radio, towing, rescue procedures

Passage making: planning a passage

Night cruising: entering and leaving port at night, identifying marks by night

Useful Information

Previous experience required:-

RYA Day Skipper Theory or RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory course completion (or equivalent knowledge or experience) AND sailing ability to the level of RYA Competent Crew.

The RYA recommends that students have the following experience as minimum: 5 days on a yacht, 100 miles experience and 4 hours night watch keeping.