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

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Syllabus Highlights

9 sections · 9 topics · 174 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

3 lessonsOpen

Multi-leg planning, tidal gates and contingency.

Notes & self-check quiz

Passage planning and preparation

Learning objectives

Plan a coastal passage of several hours including overnight legs.
Build a plan around tidal gates, weather windows and crew endurance.
Prepare the vessel, stores, fuel, water and paperwork for the passage.

What you will do

You plan and skipper real passages, presenting the plan to the instructor and crew and adapting it as conditions change.

Key points

Work out the tidal gates first, then fit the passage around them; everything else is negotiable.
Consider crew fatigue as a hard constraint, not an inconvenience — a tired crew makes poor decisions.
Have decision points written into the plan: "if we are not past the headland by 1400, we divert".
Check documentation, insurance, courtesy flags and clearance requirements for cross-border passages.

Common mistakes

Building a plan on the best-case boat speed.
No stated criteria for aborting, so the decision gets made emotionally.

Self-check

Present a 12-hour passage plan with gates, decision points, refuges and a fatigue plan.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What should a coastal passage plan be built around first?
2. Why write decision points into the plan?
3. Crew fatigue should be treated as?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Tidal calculations and tidal strategy

Learning objectives

Calculate heights of tide at standard and secondary ports for any time.
Work out clearance under keel and over obstructions.
Plan a passage that carries a fair tide for as long as possible.

What you will do

Full tidal chartwork for every passage, checked against reality on the water.

Key points

Secondary port corrections apply to both times and heights, interpolated for the actual high water time.
Use the twelfths rule only as a rough check; use the tidal curve for anything that matters.
Tidal strategy: cross a bay to windward of the rhumb line if the tide will set you down later.
A 2 knot foul tide on a 6 knot boat costs you a third of your speed made good.

Common mistakes

Applying the height correction and forgetting the time correction.
Ignoring the tidal set until the plotter shows you 2 miles off track.

Self-check

Calculate the time at which there will be 2.5m of water over a bar charted at 0.6m.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. Secondary port differences apply to what?
2. When is the twelfths rule appropriate?
3. A 2 knot foul tide against a 6 knot boat gives what speed over ground?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Coastal navigation and pilotage

Learning objectives

Navigate on passage using visual fixes, EPs, depth and electronic aids in combination.
Prepare and execute pilotage plans for unfamiliar harbours by day and night.
Cross-check electronic navigation with independent sources.

What you will do

Every entry and departure is planned by a student and executed with the plan in the cockpit.

Key points

A good pilotage plan fits on one side of paper and can be read at night with a red torch.
Build the plan around transits, leading lights, clearing bearings and the depth contour you will follow.
Note the tidal height at your ETA — the plan changes if you arrive an hour late.
Always know your escape route out of the harbour entrance.

Common mistakes

Plans written for the plotter rather than for the eye.
No stated action if the leading lights cannot be identified.

Self-check

Write and run a night pilotage plan for an unfamiliar entrance.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What should a pilotage plan be readable by?
2. Which is an independent check on electronic position?
3. Arriving an hour later than planned mainly changes what?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Night passages and watch systems

Learning objectives

Set and run a watch system for a night passage.
Identify vessels and navigation marks by their lights at night.
Manage crew rest, food, warmth and handovers.

What you will do

At least one substantial night passage, with you organising the watches and handovers.

Key points

Pick a watch pattern that suits the crew number: 3 on 3 off, or a Swedish system with short evening watches.
Standing orders: when to call the skipper — traffic within a set distance, wind above a set strength, any doubt at all.
Prepare food and hot drinks before dark. Cold, hungry crew stop functioning.
Preserve night vision rigorously and keep the deck light off unless working.

Common mistakes

A watch system that gives nobody a proper sleep block.
Standing orders that exist only in the skipper's head.

Self-check

Write standing orders for a night watch on a 40ft yacht with four crew.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What are standing orders?
2. Why prepare food before dark?
3. A good watch system should above all deliver what?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Boat handling in confined spaces

Learning objectives

Handle the yacht in tight marinas, locks and against a tide.
Use springs to turn and to leave a berth in adverse conditions.
Berth stern-to and alongside in cross winds.

What you will do

Deliberately difficult berthing exercises, planned and briefed by you and executed with your crew.

Key points

Springing off: use a bow or stern spring with fenders positioned, motor gently against it and the boat pivots off the pontoon.
In a cross wind, the bow blows off fast — commit early and use the spring rather than power alone.
Stern-to: control the approach with the lazy line or anchor, and keep the crew off the transom until you are stopped.
Brief the crew on the abort: how you will go around if it does not look right.

Common mistakes

No fender at the pivot point when springing off.
Accepting a poor approach because the crew are already holding lines.

Self-check

Spring off a pontoon with the wind pinning the boat on, and explain each step first.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What is springing off?
2. When springing off, where must a fender be placed?
3. An approach is going wrong. What is the correct response?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Heavy weather and adverse conditions

Learning objectives

Prepare the yacht and crew for deteriorating conditions.
Choose and use heavy weather tactics: reefing early, heaving to, running off, seeking shelter.
Manage seasickness, fatigue and morale.

What you will do

Discussion and, conditions permitting, practical work in a good breeze with deep reefs and storm tactics.

Key points

Everything gets harder as it builds — reef, eat, navigate and make decisions while it is still easy.
Wind against tide creates dangerous seas out of a moderate forecast; check the stream before you commit to a headland.
Heaving to gives the crew a rest and a stable platform for repairs or navigation.
Seasickness prevention beats treatment: medication early, fresh air, horizon, warmth, food and a job to do.

Common mistakes

Rounding a headland at maximum spring rate against the wind.
Waiting until the crew are sick before easing the motion.

Self-check

List everything you would do in the two hours before a Force 7 arrives.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. Wind against tide produces what?
2. When should you reef in deteriorating weather?
3. Best defence against seasickness?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Yacht systems, engine and maintenance

Learning objectives

Carry out daily and weekly engine checks and basic fault-finding.
Understand the electrical, water, gas and bilge systems aboard.
Manage power budget and charging on passage.

What you will do

Daily checks are your responsibility as skipper of the day, including engine, bilges, batteries and stores.

Key points

Daily: oil, coolant, belt tension, raw water strainer, bilges, battery state, fuel.
Bleed a diesel: filters, lift pump, injection pump, injectors — in that order, with the right tools to hand.
Power budget: know your daily amp-hour consumption and how long you must run the engine or generator to replace it.
Carry the spares that stop the boat: impellers, filters, belts, hose clips, tape and jubilee clips.

Common mistakes

Ignoring a slightly weeping stern gland until it is a flow.
No spare impeller aboard, which turns a 20 minute job into a lost day.

Self-check

Complete a daily engine check unaided and record it in the log.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What is the correct order when bleeding a diesel fuel system?
2. Which spare most often prevents a lost day?
3. A power budget tells you what?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Crew management and skippering

Learning objectives

Brief, delegate and supervise a crew of mixed experience.
Maintain morale, discipline and safety over a multi-day passage.
Make and communicate decisions under pressure.

What you will do

You skipper with the instructor as crew — they will do exactly what you ask and no more.

Key points

Brief before, supervise during, debrief after. Debriefs are where learning happens.
Delegate whole tasks with a clear standard and a clear deadline, not fragments.
Match the job to the person: give the nervous crew a defined role they can succeed at.
Say the decision out loud, with the reason. Silent decisions confuse crews.

Common mistakes

The skipper doing the foredeck work because it is quicker.
Criticising in the moment rather than debriefing afterwards.

Self-check

Run a full day as skipper without touching a winch yourself.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. What is the most valuable part of a manoeuvre for crew learning?
2. How should tasks be delegated?
3. Why say decisions out loud with the reason?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Emergency procedures and search patterns

Learning objectives

Manage fire, flooding, dismasting, steering failure, grounding and medical emergencies.
Conduct a man overboard search when the casualty is lost from sight.
Coordinate with the Coastguard and other vessels.

What you will do

Drills for the situations you hope never to see, including a lost-casualty search pattern.

Key points

If contact is lost, mark the position, note time and course, and run an expanding square or sector search from it.
Steering failure: emergency tiller first, then consider drogue steering or balancing the sails.
Dismasting: secure the crew, then cut away only what threatens the hull, keeping the rig if it can be salvaged safely.
Update the Coastguard as the situation changes; a downgraded MAYDAY is normal and welcome.

Common mistakes

Searching from where the boat is now rather than from the marked position.
Cutting away a rig that could have been recovered, or holding onto one holing the boat.

Self-check

Describe an expanding square search including leg length and turn logic.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. Where does a search pattern start?
2. First response to steering failure?
3. After a dismasting, what governs whether you cut the rig away?

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.

Notes & self-check quiz

Meteorology and preparing for Yachtmaster

Learning objectives

Interpret synoptic charts, shipping forecasts and local effects for passage decisions.
Recognise the signs of a deteriorating situation from your own observations.
Understand what the Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster practical exam requires.

What you will do

Daily forecast briefings that you deliver, plus a discussion of exam standards and preparation.

Key points

Depressions bring a predictable sequence: backing wind and falling pressure, warm front, veer, cold front, veer and squalls, clearing.
A falling barometer of more than 3hPa in 3 hours means a significant change is coming.
Local effects — sea breezes, katabatic winds, acceleration around headlands — often matter more than the synoptic picture on a coastal day.
Exam readiness: mileage, night hours, tidal experience, first aid and VHF/SRC certificates.

Common mistakes

Reading a forecast without translating it into what it means for your specific route and timing.
Presenting for exam without the qualifying passages and certificates in order.

Self-check

Give a forecast briefing that ends with a clear recommendation and a stated alternative.

Self-check quiz · 3 questions

1. A barometer falling more than 3hPa in 3 hours indicates what?
2. Which typically has most effect on a coastal day sail?
3. What must be in place before a Yachtmaster practical exam?

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

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25 Sept, 21:34

ends 31 Dec, 22:00

📍 Fornells, Menorca

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