The RYA Day Skipper practical course teaches you to take charge of a yacht safely and confidently. It is the RYA’s most popular qualification, as well as your licence to skipper and charter worldwide.
Greece · Croatia · United Kingdom
Overview
RYA Training CentreAccredited courses taught by RYA-qualified instructors
The RYA Day Skipper practical course is the most popular qualification in the scheme, and for good reason. It teaches you to take full charge of a yacht, including navigation, passage planning, pilotage, weather forecasting, sail handling, engine management, safety and crew welfare.
You will skipper the boat on short passages under instruction, while living aboard and visiting several harbours and anchorages. You also complete at least 4 hours of night sailing. On completion you receive the RYA Day Skipper certificate and become eligible for the International Certificate of Competence (ICC).
Safety comes first on every RYA course, so if you want to learn more about our standards, see the Training Centres overview page.
Course Requirements
After the Course
Course Requirements
Where to Take This Course
The Day Skipper practical course has a minimum duration of 5 days.
Good to Know
Important Note. When you book a Day Skipper practical course, your instructor assesses you on arrival to make sure you are at the correct level. If your instructor feels you lack the right knowledge, whether practical or theoretical, then we deliver a Competent Crew or milebuilding course instead.
This is a significant step up from Competent Crew, because it qualifies you as a skipper and entitles you to an ICC. You do not need a prior RYA course to join, although Competent Crew is the ideal preparation.
Those who need the shore-based course receive a £50 discount on the practical when they buy the online companion course.
Course Syllabus
Engine checks and sail selection, as well as securing and stowing gear on deck and below.
Reefing, sail changes and anchoring, as well as mooring alongside, buoy work and weighing anchor.
Visual fixes, electronic navigation, waypoints, DR/EP and tidal heights and streams, as well as IALA buoyage and the echo sounder.
Preparing and executing harbour entry and departure plans, including leading and clearing lines, transits and soundings.
Forecast sources and interpreting shipping forecasts, as well as using a barometer as a forecasting aid.
Working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Routine maintenance tasks, as well as the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes.
Changing fuel and water filters, replacing the pump impeller and also bleeding the fuel system.
Understanding how to provision and victual a yacht for passage.
Man overboard recovery, distress flares and the liferaft, as well as VHF emergency calls, towing and helicopter rescue.
Bringing a boat safely to and from alongside berths, mooring buoys and anchor, especially in varying wind and tide.
Sailing efficiently on all points, as well as mooring, anchoring and manoeuvring under sail in varied conditions.
Planning and executing a coastal passage, while accounting for navigational hazards, boat type and crew strength: the heart of the Day Skipper practical.
The completion certificate is also included in the cost of your Day Skipper course.
Available At
Our three RYA training centres each have their own character. Compare them below to find the one that suits you best.
Greece6-day courses
Warm, sheltered waters with relaxed island passages. Many summer dates run alongside our flotillas, with access to kids’ clubs.
Best for
View the school
Croatia6-day courses
Varied conditions between historic harbours and anchorages, in sheltered seas that are great for building skills and confidence.
Best for
View the school
UK5-day courses and weekend refreshers
Structured tidal practice with expert RYA instructors, and ideal preparation for sailing abroad.
Best for
View the school
Our Range of Courses
Six RYA courses, from your first day on a yacht to Coastal Skipper. Find your level below and choose your next qualification.
Beginner
No sailing experience needed
Step 1 · PracticalA taster of yachting for beginners, or for budding sailors too young for Competent Crew.
2–6 days · Age 8+View course
Step 2 · PracticalLearn the basics and become an active member of the crew rather than a passenger.
5–6 days · Age 12+View course
Intermediate
For sailors ready to learn to skipper
Step 3 · TheoryA comprehensive introduction to sailing theory, studied online.
40–45 hours onlineView course
Step 4 · PracticalThe most popular RYA course, and the standard required to skipper a yacht in many destinations worldwide.
5–6 days · Age 16+You are here
Advanced
For experienced skippers
Step 5 · TheoryAdvanced theory for the Coastal Skipper practical course and the Yachtmaster Offshore exam.
Approx 60 hours onlineView course
Step 6 · PracticalTakes your practical skills to the next level, on longer coastal and offshore passages.
5–6 days · Age 17+View course
Price Promise
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If you find it cheaper elsewhere, we’ll beat it — guaranteed.
Because we are an independent company, we can keep our prices highly competitive. If you see a like-for-like product featured elsewhere cheaper, let us know and we will beat it.
This guarantee applies to yacht and accommodation rates on our Beach Club, Flotilla, Learn to Sail and Cabin Charter programmes, as long as they are operated by Seafarer. It is also subject to availability at the time of booking.
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Every payment you make to us is financially protected, from deposit to balance. Holidays with flights are covered by our ATOL licence, and holidays without flights by our ABTOT membership. Trading since 1995.
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