The RYA Day Skipper theory course is a fantastic introduction to necessary seamanship skills before you head out sailing or boating.
Your RYA instructor will equip you with enough knowledge to safely navigate around familiar waters during daylight hours and you will be introduced to basic night cruising and lights.
We recommend attending this course before your RYA Day Skipper practical course for best results.
What You Will Learn
- The basics of seamanship
- The essentials of coastal navigation and pilotage
- Chart work
- 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, life jackets and life rafts.
You will receive an RYA course pack which includes a chart, plotter, dividers, course handbook and exercises. Pictured is the online course pack.
How Long Is The Course?
In the classroom, the course is taught over 40 hours. After this is completed, you are assessed with two examination papers. It can be covered in 5 full days (or over a number of shorter sessions) and we can schedule it to run before your Day Skipper practical course.
We understand that our students learn in different ways and recommend the classroom based course if you are used to a hands-on approach or if your English is not fluent. Our experienced and patient instructors have rave reviews.
Online, the course will take around 40-45 hours (additional time for exams), but the beauty of it is that you can work through it at your own speed, whenever and wherever you like. Your online support instructor is there 24/7 to assist you.
You can book the classroom dates or the online course direct with us.
RYA Day Skipper Theory Course Prerequisites
| Pre-course experience | None |
| Assumed knowledge | None |
| Minimum duration | 5 days (or as a number of shorter sessions) |
| Minimum age | 16 |
RYA Day Skipper Theory Course Details
| Duration | 5 days (or as a number of shorter sessions) |
| Included | Course materials and certification. |
| Excluded | Accommodation (please ask for nearby recommendations), flights, transfers and food. |
| Complementary practical courses | RYA Day Skipper Practical course. |
| Course content | The basics of seamanship, the essentials of coastal navigation and pilotage, chart work, 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, life jackets and life rafts. |