RYA Day Skipper Practical

Gain the confidence to take charge of a cruising yacht in familiar waters by day. Our RYA Day Skipper Practical course combines solid seamanship with a relaxed, supportive teaching style so you leave ready to skipper safely with family and friends – and to start chartering your own adventures.

At a Glance

• Level: First RYA skipper qualification
• Duration: Typically 5 days (live aboard)
• Location: Mediterranean coastal waters
• Previous experience: Competent Crew or equivalent experience, basic navigation knowledge
• Certificate: RYA Day Skipper Practical (sail)

Who This Course Is For

This course is ideal if you want to take the step from crew to skipper. Perhaps you are planning to charter a yacht on holiday, buy your own boat, or simply want to understand what good seamanship really looks like.

You should already be comfortable as active crew and have some basic theory – we recommend completing RYA Day Skipper Theory first, or having equivalent knowledge and experience on the water.

What You Will Learn

• Taking command of a yacht as skipper for short passages
• Practical pilotage in and out of harbours and marinas
• Boat handling under power and sail, including tight manoeuvres
• Planning and executing short coastal passages
• Collision regulations applied in real situations
• Crew management, communication and safety on board
• Dealing with emergencies and challenging conditions calmly

Syllabus Highlights

• Preparation for sea: boat checks, safety briefings, stowage and passage planning
• Deck work: sail handling, reefing, mooring, anchoring, picking up moorings
• Navigation: fixing position, course to steer, tidal considerations, pilotage plans
• Pilotage: use of transits, leading lines, buoyage and lights for day and night entries
• Passage making: passage planning and management as skipper
• Meteorology: using forecasts and recognising local weather effects
• Rules of the road: practical application of the IRPCS
• Emergency situations: man overboard, towing, basic damage control

What Is Included

• Instruction from experienced RYA Yachtmaster Instructors
• Use of the training yacht and all safety equipment
• Accommodation on board during the course
• Most on‑board food and refreshments (details confirmed on booking)
• Fuel, gas and mooring fees during the course
• All course materials used on board

What You Need to Bring

• Warm layers, waterproof jacket and trousers
• Non‑marking deck shoes or boots
• Sleeping bag and personal toiletries
• Any medication you require and your travel documents
• RYA logbook and theory course notes (if you have them)

Why Train With Us?

We are a family–run RYA centre with more than 40 years of yachting and industrial training experience. Our approach is built on genuine sail training, a sense of adventure and a relaxed style of continual learning.

• Personal, friendly atmosphere – small groups and instructors who genuinely care about your progress.
• Professional but relaxed teaching – we balance serious seamanship with an enjoyable time on the water.
• Real‑world experience – from tall ships to superyachts, we have trained crew at every level.
• International, multilingual instructors – a trusted pool of skippers who share our approach to safety and adventure.

How to Book

If you are unsure whether Day Skipper is the right level for you, or you would like current dates and availability, we are happy to advise.

Contact us to discuss your experience, goals and the best route through the RYA scheme.