A comprehensive introduction to cruising for inexperienced skippers.
This course equips you with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising. The course is taught over 40 hours with two assessment papers. It can be covered as a series of short sessions, as an intensive week-long course, or by distance learning.
On successful completion of the course and assessment you will be awarded the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate.
This course is for you if you...
Are involved in or becoming involved in sailing/ motor or power boating/ sea angling/ diving
Have a little experience on the water
Want to take the next theory step up from essential navigation and seamanship
Are a little rusty on the basics
Are preparing for the day skipper practical
Want to be more helpful as a crew member
Previous experience required
Some practical experience desirable
Assumed knowledge
None
Course duration
Approximately 40 hours
This course is flexible study
You can choose when to study
You can choose where to study, although you will need access to the internet
Your online access lasts 6 months (this can be extended for a small fee)
Course access expires after 2 years
Minimum age
None
Course content
The Day Skipper theory course introduces the wide range of subjects needed to skipper a small yacht. During the course you will work through 12 coursework exercises leading to two assessments, one on navigation and the other a general paper covering seamanship, meteorology, collision regulations and all aspects from the course.
The basics of seamanship
The essentials of coastal navigation and pilotage
Chartwork
Electronic charts
Position fixing
Plotting a course to steer
Weather forecasting and meteorology
Tides
Collision regulations
Construction, parts and equipment of a cruising boat
Emergency and safety procedures including distress Calls, use of flares, safety harnesses, lifejackets and life rafts
Course cost includes
Online access to the course
Course pack
Training almanac
Course plotter
Divider
Tutor available to answer questions via email