Day Skipper

This course is run over 5 consecutive days (preferred) or 3 weekends. The RYA developed this course for aspiring skippers with some prior yachting experience and with fair navigation skills. It is recommended that candidates have completed the RYA Dayskipper theory course before attempting this course. Also a minimum of 5 days sailing with 100 logged miles including 4 night hours are suggested. The RYA Day Skipper and RYA Competent Crew courses provide a broad basis to build further skills. It will enable the student to skipper a small boat by day in familiar waters.

The course content includes:-

• Preparation for sea, deck work inc shaking out and reefing sails. Victualling.
• Anchoring, mooring, berthing.
• Navigating:- taking and plotting fixes, use of electronic aids, waypoints, Dead reckoning and estimated positions. Tidal height and rates. Course to steer.
• Bouyage. Rule of the Road/Col Regs.
• Pilotage planning, entry in and out of harbour, transits, leading lines etc.
• Meterology-sources of forecast, their interpretation, use of barometer.
• Maintenance and repair at sea. Impeller renewal. 
• Knowledge of rope types.
• MOB procedure, emergency procedures:- flares, VHF use, helicopter rescue etc.
• Handling a yacht under power and sailing all points of sail.
• Passage making and night cruising.