RYA G19Sail · intermediate

Day Skipper Practical

Five days at sea taking command of a yacht on short passages, including pilotage by day and by night.

Read the guide: How to prepare for your RYA Day Skipper course

New to the terminology?

Points of sail explained

Syllabus Highlights

13 sections · 15 topics · 151 outcomes

Full RYA syllabus →Shareable preview page →

Prerequisite Knowledge

Before you book

What you should know

Basic sailing ability

Required RYA qualifications

RYADay Skipper Theory recommended

Level · intermediate

Where we run it

Available locations

Fornells, Menorca
Menorca
RCMB, Barcelona
Barcelona

See scheduled dates →

Enrollment

Enroll on Day Skipper Practical

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

Preparation for sea and passage planning

Video3 lessonsOpen

Checks, briefings and a plan you can actually sail.

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

Route creation and editing
Build, review and edit a route on the chart plotter.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Boat handling under power

Video3 lessonsOpen

Close-quarters control, turning and going astern.

Watch — training videos

Big boat handling tips
Handle our training yachts like a pro
Yachting Monthly shares professional tips for handling larger yachts under power — momentum, windage, pivot points and slow-speed control.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Spronging off a berth
A key technique for your boat handling under power
Yachting Monthly demonstrates 'spronging' — using a spring line and engine to spring off a berth when pinned on by wind or tide.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Berthing, mooring and rafting

Video3 lessonsOpen

Alongside, finger berths, buoys and rafts.

Watch — training videos

How to moor a yacht securely
Watch before your berthing practice
Step-by-step Yachting Monthly guide to mooring a yacht securely, from approach and lines to springs and fender placement.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

How to moor stern to
Essential for Med mooring on our Barcelona courses
Yachting Monthly shows how to moor stern-to a quay Mediterranean style — exactly what you will do in Barcelona and Menorca.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Anchoring

Video3 lessonsOpen

Choosing, laying, checking and recovering.

Watch — training videos

Yachting Monthly anchor chain test
Watch before your anchoring practice
Yachting Monthly tests anchor chain and anchoring gear to find what really holds — scope, chain versus rope, and setting technique.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Sail handling and boat handling under sail

Video3 lessonsOpen

Sailing the boat well and manoeuvring without the engine.

Watch — training videos

Cruising chute demonstration
Downwind options beyond the white sails
Yachting Monthly demonstrates setting, trimming and dousing a cruising chute — the simple downwind sail for cruising yachts.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Pilotage

3 lessonsOpen

Getting into and out of harbour safely and confidently.

Lessons (3)

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

Navigation underway

Video3 lessonsOpen

Position fixing, EP and using the plotter properly.

Watch — training videos

Adjusting depth contours and the depth alarm
Set safety contours and depth alarms so the plotter warns you before you run out of water.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Cursor range and bearing
Measure range and bearing from your boat or a waypoint using the plotter cursor.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Man overboard recovery as skipper

Video3 lessonsOpen

Running the recovery, not just taking part in it.

Watch — training videos

Man overboard crew training: Prevent, Practise, Prepare
RYA guidance on preventing a man overboard and preparing the whole crew to respond.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

MOB retrieval and recovery
Compare these methods with the recovery you will practise as skipper
Yachting Monthly tests man overboard retrieval and recovery techniques afloat, showing what really works when getting a casualty back on board.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Meteorology and weather at sea

Video3 lessonsOpen

Getting, reading and acting on a forecast, and reading the sky and sea for yourself.

Watch — training videos

Sailing in 40 knots: heavy weather lessons
What 40 knots actually feels like — and why forecasts matter
Yachting Monthly's Theo Stocker goes out in 40 knots to test heavy-weather techniques for coastal sailors — reefing, sea room, and decision-making.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Rules of the road and keeping a lookout

3 lessonsOpen

Applying the collision regulations in real traffic, by day and night.

Lessons (3)

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

Deck work, maintenance and victualling

Video3 lessonsOpen

Ropework, sail and deck routines, running repairs and feeding the crew at sea.

Watch — training videos

How to climb a mast solo at sea
Rig checks and safe working aloft
Yachting Monthly demonstrates safe solo mast-climbing techniques at sea — equipment, backup lines and communication with the crew.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Are your sails past their best?
Sail care is part of yacht maintenance
Yachting Monthly explains how to tell when sails are past their best — stretched shape, worn cloth and stitching — and what to do about it.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

Night cruising

3 lessonsOpen

Lights, shapes and passage-making after dark.

Lessons (3)

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

Emergencies, engine and skipper responsibilities

Video3 lessonsOpen

What happens when it goes wrong, and who is accountable.

Watch — training videos

How to troubleshoot a four-stroke outboard
Troubleshooting when the tender will not start
Yachting Monthly and Marine Matters walk through the common four-stroke outboard faults — fuel, carburettor, spark, cooling and oil — and how to fix them.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Lessons (3)

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

RYA Syllabus

Learning outcomes

Preparation for Sea

2 outcomes

Vessel readiness2

1.1Prepares yacht for sea including engine, sails, safety and stowage
1.2Briefs crew on safety equipment and procedures

Deck Work

2 outcomes

Sail changes and reefing1

2.1Reefs, shakes out and changes sails to suit prevailing conditions

Anchoring1

2.2Chooses anchorage, sets and weighs anchor, uses appropriate scope

Navigation

3 outcomes

Chartwork & position fixing2

3.1Navigates using GPS and traditional methods within sight of land
3.2Uses tidal heights and streams for passage planning

Pilotage1

3.3Plans and executes pilotage into unfamiliar harbours by day

Meteorology

1 outcomes

Forecasts1

4.1Obtains, interprets and acts on shipping/inshore forecasts

Rules of the Road

1 outcomes

IRPCS applied1

5.1Applies steering and sailing rules and lights/shapes/sound signals

Maintenance and Repair Work

1 outcomes

Routine care1

6.1Understands day-to-day maintenance of engine, gas and domestic systems

Engines

1 outcomes

Diesel operation1

7.1Carries out engine checks, bleeds fuel, changes impeller

Victualling

1 outcomes

Stores and catering1

8.1Plans victualling for a day sail or short passage

Emergency Situations

2 outcomes

MOB & distress2

9.1Performs MOB recovery under sail and power
9.2Uses distress signals appropriately

Yacht Handling Under Power

1 outcomes

Manoeuvring1

10.1Handles yacht in confined waters ahead and astern, berthing and unberthing

Yacht Handling Under Sail

1 outcomes

Sailing manoeuvres1

11.1Tacks, gybes, heaves-to and picks up a mooring under sail

Passage Making

1 outcomes

Day passages1

12.1Plans and undertakes short coastal passages, keeping a navigational log

Night Cruising

1 outcomes

Night sailing1

13.1Experiences a period of sailing at night, identifying lights and buoys

Upcoming Sessions

Book your place

Work through the modules above before you come aboard. Most students also take Day Skipper Theory first — it covers the navigation, tides and rules you will use on the water.

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

Watch & explore

Training videos

Chart plotter essentials: series introduction
RYA chart plotter skills series — watch alongside the navigation modules.
Welcome to the RYA Wavelength DigitalFirst Manufacturers' Insights series — bite-size chart plotter skills from the manufacturers.
Video: Royal Yachting Association · Watch on YouTube

Videos produced by the Royal Yachting Association.