Course preview · RYA G19
Day Skipper Practical
Practical skippering for short coastal passages.
- Modules
- 13
- Lessons
- 39
- Materials
- 25
- Syllabus outcomes
- 18
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RYA syllabus
01 Preparation for Sea1 topic · 2 outcomes
Vessel readiness2
- 1.1Prepares yacht for sea including engine, sails, safety and stowage
- 1.2Briefs crew on safety equipment and procedures
02 Deck Work2 topics · 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
03 Navigation2 topics · 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
04 Meteorology1 topic · 1 outcome
Forecasts1
- 4.1Obtains, interprets and acts on shipping/inshore forecasts
05 Rules of the Road1 topic · 1 outcome
IRPCS applied1
- 5.1Applies steering and sailing rules and lights/shapes/sound signals
06 Maintenance and Repair Work1 topic · 1 outcome
Routine care1
- 6.1Understands day-to-day maintenance of engine, gas and domestic systems
07 Engines1 topic · 1 outcome
Diesel operation1
- 7.1Carries out engine checks, bleeds fuel, changes impeller
08 Victualling1 topic · 1 outcome
Stores and catering1
- 8.1Plans victualling for a day sail or short passage
09 Emergency Situations1 topic · 2 outcomes
MOB & distress2
- 9.1Performs MOB recovery under sail and power
- 9.2Uses distress signals appropriately
10 Yacht Handling Under Power1 topic · 1 outcome
Manoeuvring1
- 10.1Handles yacht in confined waters ahead and astern, berthing and unberthing
11 Yacht Handling Under Sail1 topic · 1 outcome
Sailing manoeuvres1
- 11.1Tacks, gybes, heaves-to and picks up a mooring under sail
12 Passage Making1 topic · 1 outcome
Day passages1
- 12.1Plans and undertakes short coastal passages, keeping a navigational log
13 Night Cruising1 topic · 1 outcome
Night sailing1
- 13.1Experiences a period of sailing at night, identifying lights and buoys
Course outline & materials
Titles only — materials open once you're enrolled on the course.
01 Preparation for sea and passage planning3 lessons · 3 items
Checks, briefings and a plan you can actually sail.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
- FILEDay Skipper Course 2026 — interactive deck🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
02 Boat handling under power3 lessons · 3 items
Close-quarters control, turning and going astern.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
- FILEDay Skipper Course 2026 — interactive deck🔒
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
03 Berthing, mooring and rafting3 lessons · 2 items
Alongside, finger berths, buoys and rafts.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
04 Anchoring3 lessons · 2 items
Choosing, laying, checking and recovering.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
05 Sail handling and boat handling under sail3 lessons · 2 items
Sailing the boat well and manoeuvring without the engine.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
06 Pilotage3 lessons · 3 items
Getting into and out of harbour safely and confidently.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
- FILEDay Skipper Course 2026 — interactive deck🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
07 Navigation underway3 lessons · 3 items
Position fixing, EP and using the plotter properly.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
- FILEDay Skipper Course 2026 — interactive deck🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
08 Man overboard recovery as skipper3 lessons · 2 items
Running the recovery, not just taking part in it.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
09 Meteorology and weather at sea3 lessons · 0 items
Getting, reading and acting on a forecast, and reading the sky and sea for yourself.
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
10 Rules of the road and keeping a lookout3 lessons · 0 items
Applying the collision regulations in real traffic, by day and night.
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
11 Deck work, maintenance and victualling3 lessons · 0 items
Ropework, sail and deck routines, running repairs and feeding the crew at sea.
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
12 Night cruising3 lessons · 2 items
Lights, shapes and passage-making after dark.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed
13 Emergencies, engine and skipper responsibilities3 lessons · 3 items
What happens when it goes wrong, and who is accountable.
- URLRYA Day Skipper practical course page🔒
- URLVideo: yacht boat handling under power🔒
- FILEDay Skipper Course 2026 — interactive deck🔒
Briefing and theory45 min
No materials listed
On-the-water practice45 min
No materials listed
Debrief and self-check45 min
No materials listed