Your RYA Sailing Journey Starts Here
Want to get better at sailing or finally learn how to do it properly? Start with the right training and real experience. From complete beginners to experienced sailors, the RYA training scheme provides a structured, world-class route to develop your skills and achieve your sailing goals.
At Sail Squad, as the leading independent sailing school in the Solent, we are dedicated to supporting you through every step of your journey. From your first moments at the helm to qualifying as a professional skipper, we’ll help you navigate the RYA pathway, understand your options, and select the courses that best suit you.
A Guide to RYA Practical Yachting Courses
The RYA practical courses offer a clear and progressive pathway, starting from learning to sail and advancing to becoming a seasoned skipper. Although shore-based theory courses are highly recommended and often required for higher-level qualifications, this guide focuses on the practical, hands-on courses that will help you build confidence and competence on the water.
Below is an overview of the key RYA practical courses, along with their prerequisites and what you can expect to learn.
| RYA Course Name | Who It’s For & What You’ll Learn | Duration (Approx.) | Key Pre-requisites | Minimum Age | Outcome/Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start Yachting | An easy introduction to life aboard a sailing yacht This short course gives complete beginners the chance to experience sailing without pressure. You’ll get a feel for the boat, try steering, learn basic terminology, and spend time on the water as part of a relaxed, friendly crew. |
2 Days | Minimum Logged Experience: No prior experience is necessary. No theory needed. |
8 | Start Yachting Certificate |
| Competent Crew | Learn the fundamentals of crewing and life at sea Designed for those with little or no experience, this course teaches the essential skills needed to crew a yacht safely and effectively. You’ll cover sail handling, helming, mooring, safety procedures, and what it’s like to live on board over several days. |
5 Days or 2 Weekends | Minimum Logged Experience: No prior experience is necessary. No theory needed. |
12 | RYA Competent Crew Certificate |
| Day Skipper | Develop the skills to take command in familiar waters This course is aimed at sailors with basic experience who are ready to start skippering short passages. You’ll learn how to plan routes, make decisions underway, and manage a crew while handling the yacht safely under sail and power during the day. |
5 Days or 2 Weekends | Minimum Logged Experience: Basic sailing ability (e.g., Competent Crew), 5 days sea time, 100 miles, 4 night hours. Theory Needed: RYA Day Skipper Theory (or equivalent knowledge). |
16 | RYA Day Skipper Practical Certificate |
| Coastal Skipper | Gain experience in longer, more challenging passages For those ready to expand their skippering skills, this course covers advanced navigation, night sailing, pilotage, and command during coastal passages. You’ll be expected to manage real-world scenarios and take responsibility for the yacht and crew. |
5 Days | Minimum Logged Experience: 15 days sea time, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours. Theory Needed: RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory (or equivalent). |
17 | RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Certificate |
| Yachtmaster Coastal | Refine your sailing and leadership skills at a high level This is an intensive prep week for experienced sailors aiming for the Yachtmaster exam. Includes coaching in advanced boat handling, navigation, skippering techniques, and emergency drills before a practical assessment with an independent examiner. |
5 Days + ½ Day Exam | Minimum Logged Experience: 30 days sea time, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours. Certificates Needed: RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory, RYA First Aid, RYA SRC (VHF). |
18 | RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence (can be commercially endorsed) |
| Yachtmaster Offshore | The benchmark for professional and experienced skippers This external exam assesses your ability to skipper a yacht up to 150 miles offshore. Requires advanced navigation, pilotage, boat handling, and leadership in all conditions. |
5 Days + ½ Day Exam | Minimum Logged Experience: 50 days sea time, 5 days as skipper, 2,500 miles, 5 passages over 60 miles (2 overnight, 2 as skipper). Certificates Needed: RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory, RYA First Aid, RYA SRC (VHF). |
– | RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence (can be commercially endorsed) |
| Yachtmaster Ocean | The highest RYA sailing qualification Primarily a celestial navigation theory exam culminating in a practical oral exam on planning and executing an ocean passage. |
Varies – Oral Exam | Minimum Logged Experience: One qualifying passage over 600nm (min 96 hrs), at least 200nm must be 50nm from land. Certificates Needed: Yachtmaster Ocean Theory, Yachtmaster Offshore CoC, RYA First Aid, RYA SRC (VHF). |
18 | RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence (can be commercially endorsed) |
Build Up to Your Next RYA Course
The RYA training pathway is not meant to be rushed through; it is designed to build on real experience. Taking the time to consolidate your skills between courses is essential for developing long-term confidence and competence.
Jumping ahead without enough practice can create gaps in your abilities that may become apparent later, especially when you are skippering under pressure.
That’s why Sail Squad offers a range of hands-on experiences to help you strengthen your skills, log valuable miles, and effectively prepare for your next course, all at a pace that suits you. Consider exploring the following options to prepare before your next RYA course:
5 & 7 Day Milebuilding Trips
Perfect for: Logging miles, building sea time, and skippering legs
What to expect:
- Multi-day coastal or offshore passages
- Skippering responsibilities and qualifying passages
- Real-world navigation and decision-making
Skills & Drills Weeks
Perfect for: Refreshing skills or advancing to the next level
What to expect:
- Intensive coaching on sail trim, close-quarters handling, and man-overboard (MOB) drills
- Navigation and pilotage exercises in both day and night conditions
- Relaxed repetition of key yachting practical skills
Boat Handling Weekends
Perfect for: Focused practice in tight spaces and tricky conditions
What to expect:
- Docking, manoeuvring under power, and various mooring styles
- Handling wind and tide in marinas
- Repetition and feedback from expert instructors
Explore Our RYA Courses
Ready to book your next RYA yacht course? Explore Sail Squads’ full spectrum of practical courses, and train in a welcoming, professional and personal environment.
If you are looking for theory courses, then we recommend exploring our recommended partner, Ardent Training.
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.
No, the RYA pathway is a guide, and you have the flexibility to choose your path. You can skip qualifications if you have the equivalent experience and knowledge. Contact us to discuss your experience and determine the most appropriate level for you.
We recommend at least 5 days at sea, 100 nautical miles, and 4 night hours as crew. Many sailors complete Competent Crew first, then gain experience through mile-building trips, skills & drills weeks, or joining a charter.
Yes, for Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, and all Yachtmaster courses, completing the theory course first is strongly advised. A strong foundation in navigation, tide calculations, and chartwork is essential for success.
Day Skipper is for skippering short passages in familiar waters, only during daylight hours. Coastal Skipper is more advanced, encompassing night sailing, longer passages, and managing a yacht in more challenging conditions. Coastal skipper also requires theoretical knowledge to Yachtmaster level, so it is a significant step up.
Yes, most yacht charter companies accept the Day Skipper Practical certificate (especially when converted to the International Certificate of Competence/ICC).