RYA G26Sail · advanced

Coastal Skipper

A demanding practical week extending skippering skills for more complex passages and night navigation.

Read the guide: RYA Coastal Skipper: the step up from Day Skipper

New to the terminology?

Syllabus Highlights

9 sections · 9 topics · 151 outcomes

Key topics & assessment areas

Passage Planning1
Preparation for Sea1
Pilotage1
Passage Making & Ability as Skipper2
Yacht Handling Under Power1
Yacht Handling Under Sail1
Adverse Weather Conditions1
Emergency Situations1
Night Cruising1

Full RYA syllabus →Shareable preview page →

Prerequisite Knowledge

Before you book

Required RYA qualifications

RYADay Skipper Practical + theory

Level · advanced

Where we run it

Available locations

Fornells, Menorca
Menorca
RCMB, Barcelona
Barcelona

See scheduled dates →

Enrollment

Enroll on Coastal Skipper

Enrolling creates your course record so you can follow the syllabus, access course materials, track competencies and book practical sessions when dates suit you.

Delivered by Mt Sail & Power. Questions before you start? sail@mtsail.com

Before you join

Pre-course knowledge check

A five-minute self-assessment of your theory and practical experience. Your instructor uses it to pitch the course at the right level — and you get instant suggestions for anything worth brushing up.

Start the checklist

Course Content

What you'll cover

Passage planning and preparation

Video3 lessonsOpen

Multi-leg planning, tidal gates and contingency.

Watch — training videos

Digital route planning (RYA #DigitalFirst)
An RYA Digital First session on planning a route on screen: building it leg by leg, checking each leg against the chart, and reviewing it before you rely on it.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Tidal calculations and tidal strategy

3 lessonsOpen

Heights, streams and using the tide as an asset.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Coastal navigation and pilotage

3 lessonsOpen

Fixes, EPs and getting in and out of unfamiliar ports.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Night passages and watch systems

3 lessonsOpen

Running the boat safely through the dark hours.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Boat handling in confined spaces

3 lessonsOpen

Advanced close-quarters work under power.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Heavy weather and adverse conditions

3 lessonsOpen

Preparing the boat and crew when it gets serious.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Yacht systems, engine and maintenance

3 lessonsOpen

Keeping the boat working away from home.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Crew management and skippering

3 lessonsOpen

Leading a crew rather than doing everything yourself.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Emergency procedures and search patterns

3 lessonsOpen

Serious incidents at coastal ranges.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

Meteorology and preparing for Yachtmaster

3 lessonsOpen

Forecast interpretation and the road ahead.

Lessons (3)

Briefing and theory45 min
On-the-water practice45 min
Debrief and self-check45 min

RYA Syllabus

Learning outcomes

Passage Planning

1 outcomes

Coastal & offshore passages1

1.1Plans a coastal passage including tides, weather and contingency

Preparation for Sea

1 outcomes

Vessel and crew1

2.1Prepares yacht and crew for a coastal passage day or night

Pilotage

1 outcomes

Blind pilotage1

3.1Plans and executes pilotage by day and night into unfamiliar harbours

Passage Making & Ability as Skipper

2 outcomes

Command2

4.1Takes charge of the yacht, organises the crew and manages watch systems
4.2Deals with routine and emergency situations

Yacht Handling Under Power

1 outcomes

Advanced manoeuvring1

5.1Handles yacht under power in strong wind and tide

Yacht Handling Under Sail

1 outcomes

Advanced sailing1

6.1Handles yacht under sail in a variety of conditions including heavy weather

Adverse Weather Conditions

1 outcomes

Heavy weather1

7.1Prepares yacht for heavy weather and takes appropriate action

Emergency Situations

1 outcomes

Skipper response1

8.1Manages MOB, grounding, dismasting and abandon-ship drills

Night Cruising

1 outcomes

Night passages1

9.1Skippers a night passage and pilots into a harbour after dark

Upcoming Sessions

Book your place

No sessions are currently scheduled. Contact us at sail@mtsail.com to request one.