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Pre-course check

Day Skipper Practical — pre-course knowledge check

Tell us about your sailing so far. There are no wrong answers — this helps your instructor pitch the week at the right level.

Your details
Experience so far

Recent time afloat and the type of boats you have sailed.

Approximate miles logged

Total nautical miles as crew or skipper.

When were you last afloat, and on what boat?

I have sailed in tidal waters

I have completed Competent Crew or equivalent

Navigation & theory

Chartwork, tides and passage planning.

I can take and plot a position fix on a paper chart

I can work out tidal heights and times for a standard port

I can plan a short coastal passage including tidal streams

I know the IALA buoyage system and main IRPCS rules

Have you completed Day Skipper Theory (or equivalent)?

Boat handling

Helming, manoeuvring under power and sail.

I can helm on a steady course under sail

I can tack and gybe a yacht safely

I can manoeuvre a yacht under power in a marina

I can reef the mainsail underway

Seamanship & ropework

Knots, mooring, anchoring and deck work.

I can tie a bowline, clove hitch and round turn and two half hitches

I can prepare lines and fenders and moor alongside

I have anchored a yacht

Safety & emergencies

Man overboard, safety equipment and radio.

I can carry out a man overboard recovery

I know how to use a lifejacket, harness and jackstays

I can make a VHF distress call

Any medical, mobility or dietary needs we should know about?

What do you most want to get out of the course?