RYA Day Skipper Practical Course
RYA Day Skipper Sailing Course Summary
Running over 5 days, this course brings students from Competent Crew up to Practical Day Skipper. Our low student ratio RYA Day Skipper Tidal Sail Cruising Course, is the most popular sailing course in the UK. Running over 5 days this course trains students with a practiced level of competent crew experience of yacht sailing and a level of theory, up to that of the day skipper theory course, how to become the skipper. In turn you will be taught how to make those decision, expected of a skipper, whilst undertaking day passages in familiar waters, with an introduction to making a night passage, with prices starting from just £399 per student (with no hidden charges).
We run RYA Day Skipper courses during the week and at weekends, just check our live course calendar
Be aware that RYA Day Skipper Courses completed in the Solent, (one of the most demanding areas to sail and navigate in the UK) are held in high regard within the yachting and yacht charter industries worldwide. This is due to the challenging winds, tides and especially busy waterways, found here within the South of England. Courses run in the none tidal waters of the Mediterranean are generally not accepted in the UK yacht charter industry. Our RYA Day Skipper course qualifies you for the International Certificate of Competence, ICC *. So if you're a competent sailor and want to become a RYA Day Skipper in charge, then read on!
We Run Low Ratio Courses To Benefit You.
Our courses run with only 4 students aboard, with usually just 2 being Day Skipper candidates.
Other sailing schools may run courses with 5 day skipper candidates, giving you much less helm time per student.
During this RYA day skipper tidal practical course you will cover practical navigation, pilotage, boat handling, seamanship, skippering techniques and the all-important berthing in marinas.
Our course fee is from £399 per student with a maximum of 4 students per course, usually only 2 of which will be Day Skipper students. We aim to mix 2 Competent Crew students with just 2 Day Skipper students on each course. The fee includes: shared accommodation aboard each night. We also include all mooring fees, fuel and the use of our waterproofs. With our large fleet & variety of Bavaria yachts within our fleet, we pride ourselves on being a truly professional training centre.
Course Formats & Details
Courses run in a choice of 2 formats:-
5 consecutive days - Monday to Friday costing from £399 (low season) to £899 (high season)
5 consecutive days - Wednesday to Sunday costing from £399 (low season) to £899 (high season)
RYA Day Skipper Low Ratio Sailing Course
The RYA allows a maximum of 5 students on the day skipper practical course, but with the course based totally aboard the yacht, this can usually mean sharing a cabin with a stranger. At Solent Boat Training we run a lower student to yacht ratio course and so offer you your own bed for the 4 nights of the course. But please do check our Covid restrictions regarding accommodation.
You will need to bring a sleeping bag or other bedding including a pillow. Please refer to our Course Details page for additional information.
Why not book the whole yacht for a private course for up to 4 students from just £1596 (low season rate).
Previous Experience Required - Very Important
Students should hold the RYA Competent Crew Certificate and have a level of theory knowledge equal to or in excess of that of the RYA Day Skipper Theory. This can be best gained by completion of a recognised classroom based course (we don't recommend the online version of the theory course), with additional logged tidal yacht sailing experience, please call for advice. As a guide we would recommend that you have an absolute minimum of 10 days of tidal yacht sailing experience, whilst being an active crew member. 5 days of this experience is usually completed by taking the RYA Competent Crew course. If you're short of a few days experience, then why not try out one of our sailing mileage/experience builders, to brush up your practical and theory skills. We find students with less than this level of experience struggle to complete the course, successfully.
Read our chief instructors statement on the required knowledge required prior to the course here.
So in brief summary you should be happy to take over the helm of a modern cruising yacht and be able to tack, gybe, raise & drop sails, reef and obey the collision regulations without help from the instructor. In addition, you should be able to offer support to a Skipper, as well as being a good general crew member and have a level of theory knowledge to RYA Day Skipper Theory. If you can`t sail yet, unfortunately we can`t train you to become the skipper!
The full course syllabus is contained within the RYA Yachtmaster Logbook G158. This should be in the possession of all students. Copies are available at our reception for cost price of £7.50 or the RYA website here. Please bring all certification and your log book with you to the course. Competent Crew students will be issued the G158 as part of the course fee.
Minimum student age is 16. Under 18`s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Bavaria 37` Day Skipper Cruising Yacht
Our trio of Bavaria 37ft cruising yachts have 3 double cabins and 2 single berths in the saloon. Their large galley and bathroom ensure your time on board is enjoyable at every point as we travel around the Solent.Our RYA Day Skipper Practical Course runs from our Shamrock Quay marina base in Southampton. Every course is different, but you will enjoy nights on board at several of the following marinas: Ocean Village Marina, Port Hamble Marina, East Cowes Marina, Haslar Marina and Lymington Yacht Haven Marina. Each of these marinas have excellent facilities such as bars, bistros, laundry, shops and showers that compliment the yachts own facilities.
