Day Skipper

The Day Skipper course teaches pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar.

The syllabus includes:

• preparation for sea - engine checks, selection of sails
• general deck work - reefing, anchoring, mooring, berthing
• navigation - proficiency in chartwork and general navigation
• pilotage - can take the yacht into unfamiliar harbours
• meteorology - knows the sources of weather information
• maritime rule of the road
• simple maintenance tasks
• knowledge of marine diesel engines
• provisioning - how to victual a yacht
• taking action in emergency situations
• ability handle a yacht under sail and power
• planning and making coastal passages

These courses are run regularly throughout the sailing season.

View the Costs and Dates page for details of RYA courses.