RYA Day Skipper

This 5 day sailing course leads to the RYA Day Skipper practical qualification and provides an introduction to skippering a sailing yacht.

An RYA Day Skipper Practical (Tidal) certificate is awarded on completion of the course.

The RYA Day Skipper course is your first formal step towards learning the skills required to be a competent and safe skipper, so you can look forward to a great sense of achievement on completion!

Topics covered include pilotage, boat handling and crew organisation. The course develops personal skills such as communication and delegation and also provides an introduction to 'managing' the yacht on a day to day basis. It will teach pilotage, seamanship, weather forecasting, victualling, and engine maintenance and sail selection. You will have time to practice mooring skills and you will visit many anchorages both during day sails and night sails in order that you can practice your night pilotage and identify lights.

During the course you will have the opportunity to learn in a safe environment, to plan and make short passages, including exiting and entering new harbours and to practice close quarter boat handling.

At the end of the RYA Day Skipper course you will be confident to skipper a cruising yacht on short passages  by day. Students who successfully complete the Day Skipper course are awarded the RYA Day Skipper practical course completion certificate and can charter from Firstaway as we will work with you to ensure you can progress further.

This course will also enable you to apply for the ICC (International Certificate of Competence). This qualification is required by most European countries to validate your competence to own or charter a boat. The ICC, obtained by presenting your RYA Day Skipper certificate, will cover sailing yachts up to 24 metres in length in coastal waters. If you are looking for a commercial endorsement you will also need to complete the PPR course.

Useful Information

Previous practical experience to Competent Crew level and beyond is assumed and expected. Similarly, knowledge of the Day Skipper shore based syllabus (or equivalent) is required. It is also recommended that students do not attempt to complete the RYA Day Skipper practical course without the perquisite knowledge and experience of crewing on large sailing yachts.

Minimum Age 16

5 days on board

100 miles logged

4 night hours on board a sailing yacht