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5.0 based on 1000+ Happy Sailors

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.

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!

Customer

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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More Info On The RYA Day Skipper Theory Course

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Key Course Details

Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course:

Required Experience

Required Experience

Course Duration

Course Duration

Course Content

Course Content

Skills Gained

Skills Gained

Get Started In 3 Easy Steps

We make learning to navigate easy.

Select A Date
Step 1

Select A Date

Look at our upcoming course dates and choose the one that best suits you.

Take The Course
Step 2

Take The Course

You’ll learn skills required to earn your shore-based Day Skipper accreditation.

Become A Pro Sailor
Step 3

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

Rewarding training in a classroom setting in either Southampton or London. Here’s more on how it works.
What to Expect

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.

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Classroom based Day Skipper Theory courses in London or Southampton

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

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.

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What is the next step after the Day Skipper theory course?

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

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

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What Sailors Say About Us

Tripadvisor5.0 based on 561 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor
Google Reviews5.0 based on 323 Happy Customers On Google Reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Excellent Instructor

Very enjoyable course with a highly experienced and excellent instructor. Great location and good facilities.

Customer

Trevor H

Verified Customer

5.0 based on 1000+ Happy Sailors

Ready to Earn Your RYA Day Skipper Theory

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