RYA Day Skipper Practical Course
The Day Skipper practical motor cruising course’s goal is to instil in students the practical pilotage, navigation, seamanship, and boat handling skills necessary to skipper a motor cruiser safely in well-known seas throughout the day. The training also covers some night cruising, with a focus on entering and exiting harbours, keeping an eye out, and recognising night time markers. You will learn these techniques from your knowledgeable and patient RYA Instructor and put them into practise as you captain the motor cruiser on brief journeys around the Solent.
Course Duration: 4 Consecutive Days or 2 x 2 Consecutive days
Minimum Age – 16
Requirements
A basic knowledge of helmsmanship. Five days, one hundred kilometres, and four hours of night-time spent on a motor cruiser. Knowledge of navigation and theory equivalent to that of a Day Skipper Shorebased.
Online Booking
2023 Dates for RYA Motor Cruising courses will be published soon, please email us for further details.
Sleeping aboard one of our vessels is not normally available, especially during Covid-19. Some of the above courses are delivered by our partner RYA Training Centre who deliver the course to our own exacting standards.
Click here to view RYA Day Skipper Practical Course prices and our other scheduled Day Skipper Practical Course Dates
Additional dates can be scheduled for groups of 3 or more.
The scheduled Day Skipper practical courses are held at Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire UK, and in the Solent area.
Own Boat Tuition Day Skipper practical courses can be conducted in Southampton, Hampshire, Hamble, Portsmouth, Lymington, Chichester, Cowes, Poole, Isle of Wight or anywhere on the South Coast, elsewhere in the UK or in Europe.
Private and highly personalised Day Skipper practical training is available on a one-to-one basis.
Prices
Individual Bookings
£1,249.00 per person
(We do not charge extra for VAT, Fuel or a Fuel Surcharge)
Online Bookings
(All availability and pricing is in realtime – check for late availability & special price courses)
We accept UK debit cards and VISA/Mastercard credit cards. (NO Charge for paying on debit or credit cards)
(Special Offers and Special Prices apply to new bookings only) To request further information on any Course please use the Chat Box at the bottom of this screen
Syllabus
The Day Skipper practical course gives you a chance to take charge of short passages under instruction with plenty of advice and help from the instructor. It is intended for use in tidal waters.
- Preparation for sea
- Deck Work
- Navigation
- Pilotage
- Meteorology
- Rule of the road
- Maintenance and repair work
- Engines
- Victualling
- Emergency situations
- Handling under power
- Passage making
- Night cruising
- Seasickness
- Helmsmanship and sailing
- General duties
Course Content
Pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation.
Ability After Course
Can skipper a motor cruiser in familiar waters by day.
FAQ's
Anyone who wishes to get practical experience in operating a motor cruiser between 10 and 24 metres in length should enrol in the RYA Day Skipper for Motor course.
You will graduate from the course with the skills necessary to be a competent skipper who can evaluate the situation and come to informed judgements that will benefit the motor cruiser and the crew.
This training can also help you make the most of the GPS and radar, which are now almost standard features aboard contemporary motor cruisers.
This Day Skipper Motor training course is designed for people who have some motor boating experience, basic boat handling and navigation abilities, and who wish to be able to assume the helm on brief journeys. You will be in charge of the crew and navigation during the four-day practical training, with the instructor on hand at all times to offer guidance and support.
Yes, the RYA Helmsman’s course or at least two days’ experience on a motor cruiser with four-night hours is recommended. You should know as much about theory as a Day Skipper or have the comparable experience. Anyone under the age of 16 might consider doing the RYA Helmsman’s course instead.
This is often carried out in a laid-back atmosphere that includes a galley that is completely stocked as well as plenty of free time to unwind and make the most of your time spent afloat. Nonetheless, you will become familiar with a variety of skills that will instruct you on the fundamentals of competent seamanship, navigation, and engine maintenance.
You will learn how to navigate during the day and the night, as well as how to operate and maintain the engine. You won’t only be focusing on high-speed manoeuvres, though; you’ll also be learning pilotage and low-speed manoeuvres. You are going to talk about maritime safety, both aboard the ship and with regard to the Collision Regulations.
You will also learn about meteorology and how to interpret the weather forecast.
Once you have completed the Day Skipper Theory and Practical courses and are approved, you may apply for an international certificate of competence.
There is no necessity to obtain a licence in order to skipper a vessel in the United Kingdom, despite the fact that the requirements for other countries vary widely.
The RYA Day Skipper Motor course is not a live-aboard experience and instead takes place throughout the day from the base port of our training facility in Southampton. You can stay at a nearby hotel, or if you live in the area, you can always return home. On your night cruise, you can count on staying out a little later at least once.
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Our aim is to provide a full and comprehensive service to boating enthusiasts. If you would like to buy your first boat, we are here to listen to what you are trying to achieve and give completely impartial advice, so that you purchase the right yacht charter for you. When you need to gain confidence or qualifications, our RYA Sea School can help at all levels.
