POA
EnquireSchool Sunsail UK
Location Marina Agana, Croatia
Duration 5 day(s)
Dates Contact for more info
Accommodation None Included
RYA Day Skipper practical course
Overview
Sunsail’s RYA Day Skipper practical course enables students to gain the experience and qualifications necessary to set sail with confidence on one of Sunsail’s yacht charter or flotilla holidays, in some of the most breathtaking sailing destinations in the world.
This is a practical course for sailors with significant previous sailing experience (a minimum of five days sailing and living on board, 100 miles logged and four hours night sailing is required) and a comprehensive understanding of the theory behind the practice. Students preferably take the RYA Day Skipper theory course or have theory knowledge to this level.
We suggest all students invest in additional reading material, such as the RYA Day Skipper handbook. You can buy this book from our base in Port Solent.
This is an internationally recognised certificate and it is strongly recommended that you gain either this, or the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) certificate as more countries move towards compulsory certification.
RYA Day Skipper or ICC are requirements for chartering in Croatia, Greece and Turkey.
Course Structure
Why take this course with Sunsail?
The Sunsail RYA Competent Crew course aims to introduce the complete beginner to cruising under sail, enabling them to become an active crew member.
Although you have the option to familiarise yourself with the basics of yacht sailing prior to the RYA Competent Crew course, it is not a requirement to have any previous sailing experience.
Upon completion, you will have sound knowledge and understanding of the yacht, including basic rope work, mooring up and casting off as well as confidence under sail and under power.
Course syllabus
Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, her rigging and sails
Understand orders given concerning the sailing and day-to-day running of the boat
Sail handling
Bending on, setting, reefing and handling of sails. Use of sheets and halyards and their associated winches.
Rope work
Understands:
How to tie a rolling hitch, single and double sheet bend, and knows their correct use
Can:
Use sheets and halyards and their associate winches
Handle ropes, including coiling, stowing, securing to cleats and single and double bollards
Handle warps
Tie the following knots and knows their correct use: figure-of-eight, clove hitch, bowline, round turn and two half hitches, and reef knot
Fire precautions and fighting
Awareness of the hazards of fire and the precautions necessary to prevent fire.
Knowledge of the action to be taken in the event of a fire.
Personal safety equipment
Understands and complies with rules for the wearing of safety harnesses, life jackets and personal buoyancy aids.
Man overboard
Understands the actions to be taken to recover a man overboard and how cold water shock can affect a casualty in the water
Emergency equipment
Can operate distress flares and knows when they should be used.
Understands how to launch and board a life raft.
Manners and customs
Understands accepted practice with regard to
Use of burgees and ensigns, prevention of unnecessary noise or disturbances to the harbour including courtesies to other craft berthed alongside.
Rules of the road
Is able to keep an efficient lookout at sea.
Dinghies
Understands:
The loading rules and complies with them
The use and importance of a kill cord
Safety equipment for tenders
Meteorology
Awareness of forecasting services and where to obtain a forecast and knowledge of the Beaufort scale.
Helmsmanship and sailing
Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing. Can steer a compass course, under sail and power.
General duties
Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel.