RYA Day Skipper Theory in the classroom or online
Guide price
Course prices starting from £323
Who is this course for
This course is designed for aspiring skippers and keen sailors who want to gain the foundational navigation and seamanship knowledge needed to skipper a yacht in familiar waters during daylight.
It’s ideal for:
- Beginners who want a solid grounding in chartwork, navigation, meteorology and rules of the road
- Sailors preparing for the RYA Day Skipper Practical course
- Anyone planning to charter or skipper a yacht in the UK or abroad
- Enthusiasts who want to improve confidence and understanding before going afloat
No prior formal qualifications are required, although some basic boat handling experience can be helpful.
About Course
Dayskipper theory is for aspiring skippers who wish to gain an entry level qualification enabling them to skipper sailing or motor yacht and charter vessels in countries that require certification. This course is an essential preparation and prerequisite for our RYA Day Skipper Practical course.
You are best advised to complete the classroom course as this gives the best hands-on results. But if your schedule does not allow, we also offer the online version through Skippers Online.
During the classroom course you will complete lots of real scenario style exercises to help absorb the learning.
The 5 day course includes 2 x 90 minute exams to show you have fully understood everything you have studied during the course. We run the course every month, over weekends, as a Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
For those who cannot commit to 5 days in the classroom you can choose an online version run by Skippers Online
Course Content
You will receive a student pack with practice navigation charts and training almanac.
Covered content:
- Seamanship
- Chart familiarisation
- Tidal heights & Tidal streams
- Secondary ports
- Position fixing
- Dead reckoning
- Estimated position
- Course to steer
- Using the GPS
- Chartwork exam
- Buoyage & pilotage
- Safety
- Meterology
- Passage planning
- Collision regulations
- General exam
Course Objectives
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Confidently apply navigation and chartwork skills in familiar waters
- Understand and interpret tidal information and how it affects your passage
- Plot courses and fix positions using navigation tools and GPS
- Demonstrate knowledge of seamanship principles and safety procedures
- Explain collision regulations and buoyage systems used at sea
- Make sound decisions based on weather forecasts and conditions
- Feel confident and prepared to progress to practical skippering training
- The course aims not just to teach theory, but also to build confidence and enjoyment in sailing and navigation.
Pre requirements
There are no formal pre-requirements for taking the Day Skipper Theory course.
Although some practical sailing experience (e.g., RYA Competent Crew or equivalent) is recommended before progressing to the practical skippering course, you can join the theory course without any prior qualifications.
Duration
Classroom Course: 5 full days (can be taken over consecutive weekdays or spread across weekends)
Online Study Option: Approx. 40 hours of guided learning (flexible scheduling)
Location
Booking
Book online from the dates on this page or call 01273 42 48 42 option 1 or email us.
If you cannot find a suitable dates please contact us.
Location
What to bring
- 2HB Pencil and a sturdy rubber
- Notepad or anything you use to take notes
- Lunch or money for lunch
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FAQ's
How to Book
Courses can be booked directly through our website. If you’re unsure which course is right for you, our team is happy to advise.
Yes, availability is displayed on each experience page. If your preferred date isn’t shown, please contact us as we may still be able to accommodate you.
We recommend booking 4–8 weeks in advance, particularly for popular courses like RYA Day Skipper during the spring and summer season.
Course Information
No, beginners can start with RYA Competent Crew or our Learn to Sail package, which is designed for those with no previous sailing experience.
For most people, reaching RYA Day Skipper takes several months to a year, depending on availability and experience. A typical pathway includes:
- RYA Competent Crew (5 days)
- RYA Day Skipper Theory (online or classroom)
- RYA Day Skipper Practical (5 days)
Our Zero to Day Skipper Package is the fastest and most cost effective way to achieve the Day Skipper certificate.
There is no formal written exam during the practical course. Assessment is continuous and based on competence and confidence on board.
In the UK, the ICC is usually issued through the RYA. You can obtain one by:
Holding an accepted RYA qualification (such as Day Skipper) and applying to the RYA directly to convert it to an ICC, or
Passing an ICC assessment with an RYA-approved training centre
Yes. Once you hold RYA Day Skipper Practical, you can apply for an ICC without further testing.
During the RYA Competent Crew and RYA Day Skipper courses you will be expected to stay onboard for:
Part 2 (3 days) & 5 Consecutive days
The boat will visit marinas during this course, if the boat is in Brighton Marina then you are welcome to stay at home.
Our Part 1 Yacht courses and Level 1 & Level 2 courses are run as non-residential and you are not expected to stay onboard.
Any other questions
No, beginners can start with RYA Competent Crew or our Learn to Sail package, which is designed for those with no previous sailing experience.