RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
Starting from: £370pp
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Learn how to navigate on the RYA Day Skipper Theory. This shore-based course is great even if you have little sailing experience, it's all about building your knowledge, to gain your RYA Day Skipper practical. We run evening classes at various locations in London and during the day at our classrooms in Southampton. There is also an online option.
- Classes held in Southampton or London
- Complete guidance from expert instructors
- Option to take the course in your office or do the course course online
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Great Course
I thoroughly enjoyed my First Class Sailing ‘Day Skipper Theory Course’ with Johnny, great teaching. Johnny made it fun and taught us brilliantly including tidal streams and weather forecasting, I wholeheartedly recommend the Theory Course!
Amanda K, UK
Verified Customer
The RYA Day Skipper classroom / shore-based course is for those that have done little or no actual navigation, regardless of whether you have lots of sailing experience or even none.
The course includes learning lots about Day Skipper navigation including the use of GPS and electronic charts, meteorology, the collision regulations and safety procedures. You will also learn seamanship, pilotage, chartwork, electronic charts, position fixing, plotting a course to steer, weather forecasting, and tides.
We offer a variety of different ways to take the RYA Day Skipper theory in London or Southampton.
Looking for the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course? View Day Skipper Practical Course.
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RYA-certified sailing courses
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More Info On The RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
Comprehensive materials provided: Standard RYA pack with practice charts and questions, RYA Navigation Handbook, a student website with lots of useful links and copies of the course slides available online, First Class Sailing edition Cockpit Companion (classroom courses only), and a piece of rope to practice your knot tying skills.
Friendly experienced instructors: Learn from the best with our team of friendly and experienced instructors. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching, our instructors are dedicated to creating a supportive and enjoyable learning environment for students doing their RYA Day Skipper Theory.
RYA Day Skipper certificate: At the end of your course, you will take two 1.5hr exams, one focused on chartwork. and the other on more general topics like rules and regulations. You will then receive your RYA Day Skipper Theory Certificate provided you have passed.
Guarantee: You will be well prepared for the exams by the time you get to them. However, in the unlikely event you do not pass and if you have attended all the classes you are welcome to retake the course and/or exams at no additional cost.
Key Course Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course:
Required Experience
- Great if you have done some sailing before but doesn't matter if you haven't.
Course Duration
The Day Skipper Theory course can be taken over:
- 8 evening classes and one weekend or
- 2 and 1/2 weekends or
- 5 consecutive days
- In London or Southampton
Course Content
- Navigation
- Meteorology
- Rules of the road
- Safety
Skills Gained
- Background knowledge to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
We make learning to navigate easy.
Select A Date
Look at our upcoming course dates and choose the one that best suits you.
Take The Course
You’ll learn skills required to earn your shore-based Day Skipper accreditation.
Become A First Class Sailor
You are now ready to learn to be a skipper on a Day Skipper Practical course. (You need to have done the Competent Crew) or done a good bit of sailing first.
RYA Day Skipper Theory -
Complete Breakdown
What to Expect
- Fun working environment.
- You'll learn a lot in the 40 hours.
- You'll meet like-minded individuals in the classroom sessions.
- You'll get as much or as little help from your instructor as you need.
- An instructor who loves teaching you.
- An excellent selection of course materials.
Classroom based Day Skipper Theory courses in London or Southampton
We run classroom Day Skipper theory courses in London in various locations and reasonably regularly at the Cruising Association in Limehouse.
We also run them in our training centre classrooms in Shamrock Quay, Southampton.
Day Skipper evening classes are usually held over 8 weeks (1 evening class a week) and a weekend. All in a classroom. We also run them over 2 and 1/2 weekends and over 5 consecutive days, offering a comprehensive introduction to being a day skipper.
If you would like us to hold one in your office let us know. This is something we have specialised in for over 20 years. Click this link to find out more: Set up a RYA Day Skipper Theory course up in your office.
Online
This version of the course is purely online. You get given login details to a RYA approved interactive and engaging online course and all the course materials that you would on a Classroom course. You can work through it at your own pace as and when you choose. All you need is an internet connection. Instructor help is available via phone and email. For more details of the Online Course click here.
What is the next step after the Day Skipper theory course?
Ideally the Day Skipper theory course should be followed by a Day Skipper practical course. On completion of the Day Skipper practical course you will be qualified to charter and skipper a yacht and have the knowledge to navigate familiar waters by day. Depending on how much sailing you have previously done you may need to take a practical Competent Crew course before taking the Day Skipper Practical Course. These 'on the water courses' are held in the Solent and start and finish at our base in Southampton.
What's Included in the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
We provide a comprehensive set of materials to assist you with the course including:
- Standard RYA pack with practice charts and questions
- An edition of The RYA Navigation Handbook by Tim Bartlett– contains everything you need to know and a source of reference for years to come.
- A student website with lots of useful links and copies of the course slides available on line - very useful if you miss a lesson or would like to see what is coming up in the next lesson or wish to refresh your memory.
- A special First Class Sailing edition Cockpit Companion (classroom courses only) – a great aide memoire designed to take with you when you go on the water.
- A piece of rope to practice your knot tying skills
- Enthusiastic and dedicated First Class Sailing instructors who will go the extra mile
- Wonderful customer service support team from the First Class Sailing office
- RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate at the end
- Unlimited ongoing support and advice on all matters nautical
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 561 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 323 Happy Customers On Google Reviews
Given me Confidence
I completed the Day Skipper 8 week (+ 1 weekend) theory course, in central London, and it was an incredibly valuable experience, boosting my confidence and helping me to understand what I am actually doing when I am out on the water. I have lots of dinghy sailing experience growing up, and I have recently got into yacht sailing, but I have been relying on everyone else to tell me what to do. I have definitely never had any experience navigating, or even thought much about navigating, other than pointing where I wanted to go. This course has taught me so much, combining the wind and tide along with where you want to go, making sure you actually get there, and in time! Looking at tides and lights and buoyage, I am definitely much safer now. Knowing the markings on the map and identifying what is around me has given me so much confidence, and I can't wait to get back out on the water in the spring! The teaching was excellent, especially our teacher, Bruce, he ensured everyone was always following, going at the right pace, and going back if we needed to. Thank you Bruce! I highly recommend this course!
Sarah B
Verified Customer
Really enjoyable
Just completed the Day skipper theory course over two weekends. Great experience. Our Tutor, Martin was exceptional and the rest of the small class made the five days really enjoyable.
Thanks to everyone.
Ciaran M
Verified Customer
Great Instructor
I did the Day Skipper Theory course with evening classes over 8 weeks and a weekend. Great instructor who was knowledgeable and patient and provided good materials, as well as support and answers outside the class by email and WhatsApp.
Nick H
Verified Customer
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Ready to Earn Your RYA Day Skipper Theory
Get to grips with navigation on this informative and fun course.
- Learn in a classroom with other students
- Friendly and knowledgeable instructor
- Classes in Southampton, London, your office, or online
Excellent Instructor
Very enjoyable course with a highly experienced and excellent instructor. Great location and good facilities.
Trevor H
Verified Customer
Ready to Earn Your RYA Day Skipper Theory
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