RYA Sailing Courses
Take charge of a yacht safely and confidently. The RYA’s most popular qualification — your licence to skipper and charter worldwide.
Overview
The RYA Day Skipper Practical is the most popular qualification in the scheme — and for good reason. It teaches you to take full charge of a yacht: navigation, passage planning, pilotage, weather forecasting, sail handling, engine management, safety and crew welfare.
You’ll skipper the boat on short passages under instruction, live aboard, visit multiple harbours and anchorages, and 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 is paramount on all RYA courses. To learn more about our standards, see the Training Centres overview page.
5–6
Days duration
Age 16+
Minimum age
ICC
Eligible on completion
Intermediate
Prior experience required
Course Requirements
Minimum
Aged 16+, 5 days at sea, 100 miles, 4 night hours. Navigation to Day Skipper Shore-based standard and practical sailing ability to the level of Competent Crew.
Recommended
Some recent sailing experience within the last year or two, and completed the online or shore-based Day Skipper theory. We recommend some revision before the course starts.
Where to Take This Course
The course has a minimum duration of 5 days and can be completed over 3 weekends at our Southampton UK school.
At both Mediterranean schools, this 5-day course is delivered over 6 days as part of a week-long holiday — with time for swimming and longer breaks built in.
Good to Know
Important Note
When booking a Day Skipper practical course, you will be assessed on arrival to ensure you are at the correct level. Should your instructor feel you lack the appropriate knowledge — practical or theoretical — then a Competent Crew or milebuilding course will be delivered instead.
This is a significant step up from Competent Crew — it qualifies you as a skipper and entitles you to an ICC. You do not need a prior RYA course to join, though Competent Crew is an ideal preparation.
Those who need the shore-based course receive a £50 discount on the practical when they buy the online companion course.
Available At
After the Course
What You Will Learn
Preparation for Sea
Engine checks, sail selection, securing and stowage of gear on deck and below.
Deck Work
Reefing, sail changes, anchoring, mooring alongside, buoy work and weighing anchor.
Navigation
Visual fixes, electronic nav, waypoints, DR/EP, tidal heights and streams, IALA buoyage, echo sounder.
Pilotage
Preparing and executing harbour entry/departure plans, leading and clearing lines, transits and soundings.
Meteorology
Forecast sources, interpreting shipping forecasts, using a barometer as a forecasting aid.
Rules of the Road
Working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Maintenance & Repair
Routine maintenance tasks, properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes.
Engines
Changing fuel and water filters, pump impeller replacement and bleeding the fuel system.
Victualing
Understanding how to provision and victual a yacht for passage.
Emergency Situations
Man overboard recovery, distress flares, liferaft, VHF emergency calls, towing, helicopter rescue.
Yacht Handling Under Power
Bringing a boat safely to and from alongside berths, mooring buoys and anchor in varying wind and tide.
Yacht Handling Under Sail
Sailing efficiently on all points — mooring, anchoring and manoeuvring under sail in varied conditions.
Passage Making
Planning and executing a coastal passage, accounting for navigational hazards, boat type and crew strength.
The completion certificate is included in the cost of your course.
Price Promise
As an independent company, we are able to 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 operated by Seafarer, and is subject to availability at the time of booking.
We will not be beaten on price
Find it cheaper elsewhere and we’ll beat it — guaranteed.
ATOL Protected — Book with Confidence
Your flight-inclusive holiday is fully ATOL protected. We have been trading since 1995.
Book Your Course
Get in touch with our team to check availability in Greece, Croatia or the UK and find the right course for you.
