Our Chief Instructor says this about the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course:
Sailing is always about the journey, an adventure you embark upon every time you set sail!
The RYA Day Skipper Theory course is one of the best introductions to navigation that a budding Skipper can get. This course will give you a good working knowledge of how to pilot a boat from port to port. It’s a perfect starting point to give you the best foundation, enabling you to continue your sailing career all the way through to a professional Skipper.
To make the most out of your time on the course with us my advice is to make sure you have the right experience before doing the course. You should have the basic skill sets of being able to identify all the parts of a sailing yacht, know how a compass works and ideally have some practical sailing experience. We always recommend that the student does some advance reading of books included in our “recommended reading” list at the top of the page.
Course Structure and Study Commitments
The course consists of approximately 40 hours of tuition and study time, plus breaks. It’s a comprehensive programme, supported by an excellent set of RYA materials as well as our own additional notes to reinforce your learning. Our instructors are always happy to be contacted if you have questions or need help with any aspect of the material—no need to struggle alone!
It’s generally a good idea to bring along a selection of Note books, pencils, sharpener, eraser, calculator and ruler, as there is a lot to write down and good notes taken during the day are worth their weight in gold! (If you forget some bits don’t worry we will lend you some of ours if we can) Make sure those pencils are well-sharpened! It’s also well worth buying your own Plotter and Dividers before the course, or on the day (We have plenty in stock at all times!).
We give our students a little bit of homework each night to ensure they’ve grasped what was taught during the day. It all helps soak up the incredible amount of information and knowledge you’ll learn on this course, which is held
from 9am to 5pm each day with one of our brilliant Yachtmaster Instructors.
Our course fee includes all the equipment and tools needed to successfully complete the RYA Day Skipper Theory course, with no extras needed (use of our plotters and dividers is included). Also included within the course fee is the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Notes book.
We also offer our Complete RYA Day Skipper Combination Package which includes both the theory and practical courses. This will take you from having a little sailing experience through to passing your RYA Day Skipper first time round if you follow the instructors advice.
What Do Previous Students Say?
If you’re wondering what it’s really like to take the RYA Day Skipper Theory course, there’s no better way to find out than by hearing from our former students.
We frequently receive wonderful feedback from sailors who’ve joined us on their learning journey. Here’s a taste of what they have to say:
- “The instructors’ enthusiasm and clear teaching style made all the difference. I left feeling well-prepared and genuinely excited to put my new knowledge to use on the water.”
- “A superb introduction to navigation and passage planning—tons of practical tips and real-world examples throughout. The course was packed with information but never overwhelming, thanks to the engaging approach.”
- “Challenging, rewarding, and lots of fun! I now feel confident to continue developing my sailing skills, and I can’t wait to take my learning further.”
It’s always a pleasure to watch students step off the course, brimming with confidence and ready for their next adventure afloat.
