Coastal Skipper Course
Join Sail Squad’s Coastal Skipper Practical Course for an immersive, hands-on training experience in the heart of the Solent, one of the UK’s busiest and most challenging sailing grounds.
Designed for confident Day Skippers ready to step up to longer coastal and offshore passages by day and night, this 5-day course builds real-world sailing expertise and leadership skills.
What Is the RYA Coastal Skipper Course?
This advanced RYA course focuses on coastal and offshore navigation, passage planning, night sailing, and watchkeeping & crew leadership.
Led by experienced RYA Yachtmaster Instructors, you’ll sail beyond the Solent to destinations like Poole, Weymouth, and more. You’ll practice extended coastal passages, night navigation, pilotage in unfamiliar harbours, and yacht handling in real tidal conditions.
By the end, you’ll earn the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course Certificate, which qualifies you to skipper yachts on longer passages during the day or night. It’s also a popular step toward the Yachtmaster Coastal Course, helping you build key skills and reduce mileage requirements for future qualifications.
Coastal Skipper Course Syllabus
Our Coastal Skipper Practical Course is designed to build on your existing sailing knowledge and skills gained as a day skipper, and covers a range of topics including:
Passage Planning
Assess the yacht’s capabilities, routes, weather and tides, and understand customs and documentation requirements.
Preparation
Ensure the yacht is seaworthy with safety briefings, stowage checks, crew roles assigned, and equipment checks.
Pilotage
Plan and execute accurate day and night pilotage using transits, bearings, buoyage, tidal data, and harbour regulations.
Anchoring & Mooring
Securely anchor and moor the yacht under varying wind and tidal conditions. The Solent is the perfect place to practice this.
Passage Management
Lead the crew through navigation, watches, and domestic tasks, while monitoring weather and maintaining welfare onboard.
Yacht Handling
Manoeuvre confidently under sail and power in confined spaces, practising varied berthing and close-quarters situations.
Unfavourable Weather
Prepare for and handle heavy weather and restricted visibility with calm, confident seamanship.
Emergency Response
Practice man-overboard drills, abandon-ship procedures, and understand helicopter and lifeboat rescue protocols.
RYA Coastal Skipper Course Requirements
To take this course, you should:
- Hold the Day Skipper Practical Certificate.
- Have completed the Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Shorebased Theory (or have equivalent knowledge)
- Logged at least:
- 15 days at sea
- 2 days as skipper
- 300 nautical miles
- 8 hours of night sailing
Coastal Skipper Course Price – Just £899 (All Inclusive)
The course fee includes:
- 5 days of tuition
- RYA Yachtmaster Instructor
- Accommodation and all meals/snacks
- Foul weather gear (jackets and salopettes)
- Safety equipment
- Mooring fees and fuel
- RYA certificate upon successful completion
How to Book
Check out our available course dates and book online for £899 all-inclusive.
Don’t see a date that works? Give us a ring. As a small and flexible sailing school, we’re happy to try and accommodate your schedule.
If you would like to talk to us about your experience or have any questions before booking, just get in touch.
Why Book with Sail Squad?
You’ll cover the complete RYA syllabus while sailing aboard one of our fully equipped cruising yachts (either 37ft or 50ft), each fitted with comfortable cabins and modern navigation gear designed for coastal and offshore training.
On select dates, this course runs alongside our milebuilding programmes, giving you the opportunity to undertake real coastal passages. This allows you to go beyond the syllabus, build sea miles, and develop real-world experience in a dynamic and challenging environment.
Need More Experience First?
No problem! Sail Squad offers several ways to build miles and confidence before taking the Coastal Skipper Practical.
- Milebuilders: Our milebuilders offer a fantastic opportunity to accumulate the necessary mileage in a supportive and adventurous environment.
- Skills & Drills: If you’re feeling rusty in tidal waters or need to address some gaps in your technical skills, consider participating in a skills & drills weekend.
- Theory: If you need to complete or refresh your Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory online, check out our recommended partner’s online theory course, Ardent Training.
What Truly Sets Sail Squad Apart?
Personalised Training
As an independent school, we offer more personal attention, flexible options, and a genuinely supportive learning environment.
Expert Instructors
Our instructors are experienced RYA Yachtmasters with offshore miles under their belts.
Relaxed, Professional Atmosphere
We combine world-class training with a friendly, approachable style where your goals come first.
Real-World Experience
You’ll practise extended passages, night sailing, and watchkeeping. This prepares you for actual coastal and offshore responsibilities.