Day Skipper Course
The RYA Day Skipper Course is a globally recognised qualification that prepares you to become a confident and capable decision-maker on the water. This intensive 5-day program, conducted aboard one of our 37ft Beneteau yachts, goes beyond basic sailing skills to develop leadership, problem-solving, and a strong understanding of seamanship.
Whether you’re an experienced sailor seeking formal certification or are relatively new to sailing and aiming for your skipper’s license in the UK, this course provides a solid foundation for safe, enjoyable, and responsible boating.
RYA Day Skipper Syllabus: What You’ll Learn
The RYA Day Skipper Course is all about hands-on experience. You’ll live aboard one of our modern yachts for the duration of the course.
Throughout the week, you will be guided by our expert RYA instructors and practise pilotage, boat handling, and theoretical skills in various harbours and mooring situations. Mistakes are encouraged as part of our learning approach, helping you develop resilience and real-world problem-solving skills.
The course isn’t a formal exam but a continuous assessment. Your instructor will monitor your progress, offering ongoing feedback and support. If you demonstrate the required knowledge and skills by the end, you’ll earn the RYA Day Skipper Certificate, an important milestone on your sailing journey.
Preparation for Sea
Learn how to carry out thorough checks on the yacht, engine, and safety gear, and select appropriate sails for varying conditions.
Working on Deck
Competently handling sail reefing, anchoring, and mooring situations.
Navigation
Chartwork, electronic navigation, tidal calculations, dead reckoning (DR), estimated positions (EP), and calculating courses to steer.
Pilotage
Plan and execute safe harbour entry and exit using leading lines, clearing lines, and the IALA buoyage system.
Meteorology
Interpret shipping forecasts, use a barometer, and identify key weather patterns to plan safe passages.
Rules of the road (COLREGS)
Understand and apply the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Maintenance & Repairs
Gain knowledge of basic maintenance tasks and learn how to handle minor onboard repairs.
Engines
Understand key aspects of diesel engine care, including filter changes and bleeding fuel systems.
Victualling
Plan and provision for trips, including food, water, and essential supplies for coastal passages.
Emergency Procedures
React decisively in emergencies such as man overboard, deploying flares, and launching a liferaft.
Yacht Handling
Learn to bring the yacht alongside, pick up mooring buoys, and anchor safely in various conditions.
Passage Planning
Plan and execute coastal passages, accounting for weather, navigation, tides, and crew capabilities.
Night Sailing
Safe night navigation, harbour entries and exits with limited visibility, and understand special considerations for pilotage and navigation.
Helmsmanship & Sailing
Improve your steering, sail trim, and ability to maintain a steady compass course under sail.
Living Aboard
Take part in the daily routines of yacht life, building teamwork and confidence along the way.
Seasickness Management
Understand the effects of seasickness and how to manage them.
Is the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course Right for You?
The RYA Day Skipper Practical Course is ideal for aspiring skippers who already have some hands-on sailing experience and a good grasp of basic boat handling. If you’ve actively participated as a crew member on previous trips and are ready to take charge, this course is your next step.
To make the most of your training and succeed on the course, here’s what you’ll need:
A Solid Foundation of Experience
You should already be familiar with the basics of sailing, including steering, sail handling, and crewing during mooring or anchoring. This course is not suitable for complete beginners. You need to have already completed the Competent Crew Course or be at this level.
Minimum required experience
To enrol in the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course, you must meet the following RYA prerequisites:
- At least 5 days at sea
- 100+ logged nautical miles
- A minimum of 4 night hours
Crucial Theoretical Knowledge
Although not a formal requirement, we strongly recommend completing the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course (or having equivalent knowledge) beforehand. The practical course is intensive with little time for theory, so being prepared will help you fully benefit from the training.
Consider Additional Sailing Beforehand
If you’ve met the minimum requirements but feel a bit rusty, a milebuilding week or skills & drills weekend is a great way to refresh your navigation, helming, and onboard skills in a relaxed setting.
What’s Included in the RYA Day Skipper Course Price
Course Fees
- Low season: £709
- Peak season: £759
- Split weekend: £800
Our course fee covers everything you need to complete your RYA Day Skipper practical training afloat. It includes:
- Accommodation: Your berth on board one of our well-equipped training yachts for the full duration of the course.
- Expert Tuition: Expert guidance from a highly qualified, RYA-certified full-time instructor.
- Mooring Fees: All necessary harbour and mooring fees incurred throughout the week.
- Onboard Refreshments: Complimentary tea, coffee, milk, sugar, and light snacks provided to keep you fuelled throughout the training day.
Flexibility for Main Meals
Main meals are not included, giving you the freedom to plan and prepare food onboard to suit your tastes, diet, and budget. Evenings also offer a great chance to explore local harbour towns and enjoy a meal ashore after a day of training.
Optional Single Cabin Upgrade
Prefer a private space onboard? You can upgrade to your cabin during the course:
- Single Cabin Supplement: £250
- Saloon Berth Supplement: £50
(Subject to availability; early booking recommended)
Flexible Course Options to Suit Your Schedule
- 5-Day Continuous: The most popular choice for the day skipper format, as it allows you to get stuck into training and enjoy the same crew for the whole course, and the best value for money.
- 2-Day + 3-Day Split Weekend: This flexibility means you can fit your training around work, family, and other commitments while gaining your qualification. Please note that this choice does mean you will need to do two safety briefings and will have slightly less sailing time than on a continuous course.
Ready to Book?
Taking the RYA Day Skipper Course is your gateway to confident, independent coastal sailing, and a fantastic personal challenge.
Prefer to talk it through first? Give us a call to discuss your sailing experience and find the best course option for you.
What Are the Next Steps After Becoming a Day Skipper?
Completing the Day Skipper Course is a major milestone, but it’s just the beginning of your sailing journey. We highly recommend building on your new skills by getting out on the water and logging essential sea miles. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the Mediterranean on a flotilla, planning a weekend charter in the beautiful Solent, or joining one of our popular milebuilding trips, gaining real experience is key.
This course gives you your first taste of skippering, putting you in sole command and responsible for your crew. After completion, you’ll be qualified to skipper a yacht during daylight hours on coastal passages with confidence.
Once you’ve gained solid practical experience, consider advancing to the next level of RYA training. The Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Course and subsequent Coastal Skipper Practical Course cover advanced navigation, meteorology, collision regulations, and watchkeeping. This progression prepares you for more complex coastal passages and greater skippering responsibilities, opening the door to exciting new sailing opportunities.
The Sail Squad Difference
Honest Feedback
Receive clear, constructive feedback throughout the course, highlighting your strengths and areas for growth.
Family-Run School
Enjoy a warm, welcoming atmosphere where you’re treated like a priority in our small sailing community.
One-on-One Guidance
Benefit from personalised coaching tailored to your learning style and pace, building your skills and confidence.
Flexible Scheduling
We understand the importance of offering flexible course dates. Give us a call if you can’t see a date that suits you.
Oversight from a Cruising Instructor Trainer
Our instructors are led by an RYA Cruising Instructor Trainer, ensuring world-class training.
Professional, Full-Time Instructors
All instructors at Sail Squad are employed full-time, not freelance, and provide a consistent advanced teaching style.
Ideal Training Location
Based in Hamble, we sail on the Solent, an exciting, real-world environment for developing skipper skills.
Support Beyond the Course
We’re here to assist you beyond the course with advice, charter planning, or refresher sessions whenever you need.
FAQs
We’ve covered the most common questions to help you get started. If there’s anything else you need, just drop us a message. We’re always happy to chat.
Our intensive Day Skipper Course offers flexibility to fit your schedule. Choose between five consecutive days or two split weekends.
- Start: Meet your instructor and fellow crew at the Port Hamble Marina at 9 AM on day one.
- Finish: The course wraps up around 4 PM on the final day, allowing time for a debrief, packing, and travel.
One of the most rewarding aspects of your Day Skipper training with Sail Squad is the shared experience. You’ll join a small, supportive crew of 2 to 4 fellow students plus your dedicated instructor. These are typically like-minded sailors, either fellow aspiring Day Skippers ready to take charge or those building on their Competent Crew skills.
We provide high-quality wet weather gear for the course, including waterproof jackets and trousers specially designed for sailing. You’ll just need suitable layers underneath (technical base layers, fleeces, etc.) and non-marking footwear with good grip; deck shoes or trainers work best. For a full packing list and recommendations for evenings and extras, please see our detailed joining instructions.