What Day Skipper is
Day Skipper is the RYA qualification for taking charge of a small yacht on short coastal passages in familiar waters by day. It comes in two parts: a shorebased theory course covering navigation, tides and collision regulations, and a five-day practical course aboard a yacht where you skipper short passages yourself.
Check your sea time
The practical course is designed for sailors with around five days, 100 miles and four night hours aboard a sailing yacht. Treat these as preparation benchmarks: recent, varied experience is more useful than mileage recorded long ago.
Build the theory foundation
Review chart symbols, latitude and longitude, tidal heights and streams, weather forecasts, collision regulations and basic passage planning. Completing Day Skipper Theory first gives you more time aboard to practise decisions rather than learn every concept from scratch.
Practise steering a steady course, sail trim, reefing, tacking, gybing, rope work and basic engine checks. You do not need to be expert, but familiarity lets you progress quickly to manoeuvring under power, pilotage and skippering short passages.
Documents and kit to bring
Bring photo identification, details of previous sailing experience, suitable non-marking footwear and layered clothing for changing Mediterranean conditions. Confirm joining times, dietary needs and any medical information with the training team before departure.
Practise thinking like the skipper
Before each exercise, consider the weather, hazards, crew roles and a safe alternative plan. Clear briefings and calm decisions matter as much as handling the yacht. Be ready to explain what you intend to do and invite the crew to raise concerns.
Common questions
- What is the RYA Day Skipper course?
- Day Skipper is the RYA qualification for taking charge of a small yacht on short coastal passages in familiar waters by day. It comes in two parts: a shorebased theory course covering navigation, tides and collision regulations, and a five-day practical course aboard a yacht.
- Do I need Day Skipper Theory before the practical course?
- It is not formally required, but it is strongly recommended. Students who arrive with the theory already covered spend their week practising decisions rather than learning navigation from scratch.
- How much sailing experience do I need first?
- The practical course is designed for sailors with roughly five days, 100 miles and four night hours aboard a sailing yacht. Recent, varied experience is more useful than mileage recorded long ago — talk to us if you are unsure whether yours is enough.
- What should I bring?
- Photo identification, a record of previous sailing experience, non-marking soft-soled footwear, layered clothing, sun protection and a soft bag rather than a rigid suitcase, which is difficult to stow aboard.