RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course

The RYA Day Skipper theory course requires no previous knowledge, but some practical experience is desirable. Attending the Day Skipper shore based course is the first step towards becoming a yacht skipper.

In our modern purpose built classroom in Hamble, you will learn the 

• Buoyage System
 • Pilotage
 • Weather Forecasts and their sources
 • Passage Planning
 • Tidal Height and Tidal Streams
 • Safety
 • Rules of the Road
 • General Seamanship
 • Principles of Anchoring
 • Electronic Charts

This course will give you all of the navigation and theoretical knowledge required to move on towards the Day Skipper practical course and RYA Day Skipper certificate.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This shore based course is partially interactive and requires students to download and install the RYA Books app on their chosen device. A tablet, smartphone (with a large enough screen) or Laptop will be required. Students will be able to login on up to 3 different devices.  

The RYA Books app is not available on macOS, Windows 7 or Kindle Fire. We recommend switching to an alternative platform, or using Online Access, to view eBooks using your web browser.


This course is run over five days, Saturday - Wednesday.  It is also available by self study on our distance learning programme

 For group bookings, we can also offer this course over two weekends (3 day weekend + 2 day weekend), or three 2 day weekends. Subject to classroom availability, dates are flexible. 

ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS COURSE

RYA Day Skipper Theory

  • Day Skipper shorebased course
  • RYA Day Skipper Theory
  • Taking a compass bearing
  • Learning Navigation on an RYA Day Skipper course
Availability & Dates

Day Skipper Shorebased Course Syllabus

A comprehensive introduction to chart work, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship for Competent Crew and Helmsmen. You will find this course invaluable if you want to learn how to start making decisions on board. 

1 Nautical terms

  •           Parts of a boat and hull
  •           General nautical terminology 

2. Ropework

  •           Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use 

3. Anchorwork

  •           Characteristics of different types of anchor
  •           Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring 

4. Safety

  •           Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (see RYA Boat Safety Handbook, C8)
  •           Fire precautions and fire fighting
  •           Use of personal safety equipment harnesses and lifejackets
  •           Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone
  •           Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue 

5. International regulations for preventing collisions at sea

  •           Steering and sailing rules (5, 7. 8, 9. 10 and 12-19)
  •           General rules (all other rules) 

6. Definition of position, course and speed

  •           Latitude and longitude
  •           Knowledge of standard navigational terms
  •           True bearings and courses
  •           The knot 

7. Navigational charts and publications

  •           Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance
  •           Navigational publications in common use
  •           Chart correction 

8. Navigational drawing instruments

  •           Use of parallel rulers. dividers and proprietary plotting instruments 

9. Compass

  •           Application of variation
  •           Awareness of deviation and its causes
  •           Use of hand-bearing compass 

10.Chartwork

  •           Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway
  •           Techniques of visual fixing
  •           Satellite - derived positions
  •           Use of waypoints to fix position
  •           Course to steer 

11.Tides and tidal streams

  •           Tidal definitions, levels and datum

Step 1 Select your course duration

This course is available in the following durations

If Day Skipper is completed over 2 weekends you should select a 3 day weekend for part 1

Step 2 Select your dates

Your 5 Days RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course

Please select the start date

Select your start date

Step 3 Add participant(s)

Please select your course duration

5 Days RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Course