RYA Day Skipper Practical Course

RYA Day Skipper Practical – Learn how to combine navigation, leadership and sailing skills.

Skippering a boat is fun and this RYA Day Skipper Course is about taking your first steps towards taking charge with the safety net of an instructor on board. Everyone will be given a chance to navigate and skipper short coastal passages. There’ll be plenty of opportunity to co-ordinate manoeuvres under sail and power. You will be taught how to manage emergencies and health and safety procedures. Learn big boat watch leader skills on deck, and navigational techniques below with chart plotters and paper charts.

Successful completion of the Day Skipper course means you should feel confident enough to skipper short passages in tidal waters.

To  make the most of the course it is important that you are happy with the relevant theory. The practical course is about putting this knowledge into practice in real life, on a real boat, with a real crew.

Day Skipper as a Refresher for Experienced Sailors

Even if you already have Day Skipper qualification or higher, there is no reason why you cant book another RYA Day Skipper Course to brush up your skills. It might also be helpful if you’re new to block-and-tackle sailing. It is a much more relaxed option than a yachtmaster prep course and a wonderful excuse to sail aboard a traditional vessel. A four hour night passage is a compulsory part of the course but it is very often also the highlight of the voyage. It’s a great team effort with pilotage, communication, lookout duty and command skills.

Course Prerequisites

Pre-course experience

5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours on board a sailing yacht. These are the requirements to get your certificate. While some previous experience is desirable before the course, don’t worry if you haven’t logged this sea time. Completion of the week-long course usually ticks all the boxes.

Assumed knowledge

Theory to the level of Day Skipper. It is recommended that you complete the Day Skipper Theory course beforehand.

Minimum age

16

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.

Find out more: Full RYA Day Skipper Syllabus