Online Day Skipper Theory Course
£265
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If you want the freedom to learn about the wonderful art of navigating a sailing yacht or motor cruiser, but in your own time and from wherever you want, the online RYA Day Skipper course is the first step of your adventure. All you need is a computer or tablet, and an Internet connection.
- Online RYA Day Skipper Theory Course in the convenience of you own space and time
- Instructor support available if needed
- Build your knowledge towards your RYA Day Skipper practical
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Well organised
This is a well-organised and professional company who offer a great way into trying out sailing and then a path to building your skills up over time.
Richard
Verified Customer
Taking the RYA Day Skipper Theory online is for those that prefer to learn at their own pace. The RYA Day Skipper Theory course is a comprehensive, step-by-step introduction to the basics of cruising, and can be taken online even if you have little previous sailing experience.
In fact, it doesn't matter if you've got a lot of sailing experience (but little time at the chart table) or none whatsoever, the online lessons are presented in an easy-to-follow format, so you won't get left behind. The online RYA Day Skipper Theory course is fully compatible with PC, Mac, and iPad, and you’ll be sent a comprehensive set of materials to provide a hands-on dimension to your learning.
Learning sailing theory online is a more flexible option for those with busy schedules - you can learn whenever you want, for as long as you want and an instructor will always be on hand to help if you need more guidance.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
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More Info on the RYA Day Skipper Theory Online course
Convenient For You: Take the RYA Day Skipper Theory online course at your own time and in your own space wherever that may be (with internet connection!)
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 of all skill levels.
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.
Key Course Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the Online Day Skipper Theory Course:
Required Experience
- Perfect if you have done some sailing before, but even if you haven’t that’s ok!
Course Duration
- Approximately 40 hours plus exam time.
- Course is online so you can dip in and out of it as your choice.
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 navigation online easy
Purchase the course
Once signed up we send you a username and password so you can get started right away if you wish. Some course materials will arrive with you a day or 2 later.
Take The Course
Work through the course at your own pace.
Become A First Class Sailor
Take the 2 exams at home. With your new found navigational skills you will be ready to move on to the practical.
RYA Day Skipper Theory Online -
Complete Breakdown
First Class Sailing's recognised training provider of choice for the RYA Day Skipper online course is Skippers Online, whom we have had a long association with. They more than meet our stringent quality standards. Student feedback is 100% positive on these courses and in our view, they offer excellent theory preparation for our students before taking our practical courses. We find students who are well prepared with their online theory course then get much more benefit from their practical course experience.
Please note you have access to the online RYA Day Skipper Theory course for 6 months from purchase with the option to extend, at additional cost, if you need more time to complete.
You’ll need a course plotter and chart-dividers to complete the chartwork exercises - if you don’t already have these you can purchase a set for £28 when you place your order.
Why Take the Day Skipper Theory Course?
You’ll be presented with the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate upon completion of the online Day Skipper course. The knowledge you’ll gain will put you in good stead to progress to the RYA Day Skipper Practical course, where your newly acquired theory knowledge will be put to great use at sea.
Completing the practical course will then qualify you to charter and skipper a small cruising yacht on short passages during daytime hours. (Here's theory in person).
There’s plenty more opportunities to progress further if you want to take your sailing further. Who knows where studying the fundamentals of sailing at home will take you?
What will you learn?
- Lots of nautical jargon including names for different parts of a boat
- How to read a chart
- How to plot a position from a GPS or from compass bearings
- A few knots
- How to use electronic navigation aids including an electronic chart plotter
- How the sun and the moon effect the tides
- Measuring speed & distance and keeping logs
- How to measure tides - the direction they flow and their height
- How to plot a course from A to B if the tide is pushing you one way and the wind in another direction
- How to plan safe trips
- Some essential safety knowledge, such as procedures for emergency situations
- Some 'rules of the road' to prevent collisions with other vessels. What to do if...
- How to interpret the BBC shipping forecast
- What weather to expect when you see lots of high cloud and you notice the barometer falling
- Lots about buoyage, sound signals, lights and various shapes displayed by other vessels
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 561 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 323 Happy Customers On Google Reviews
Flexible
Brilliant course. The flexibility of this online course allowed me to work swiftly and efficiently, dipping in and out according to MY own schedule.. I would HIGHLY recommend this course to anyone thinking about taking this qualification.
Rachel B
Verified Customer
Incredibly helpful
I completed both by day skipper theory and practical courses with First Class Sailing and the experience was indeed first class. Both instructors were very experienced, passionate, and incredibly helpful. My confidence in handling a sailboat increased drastically following the courses. Highly recommended to anyone serious about sailing.
Bilal S
Verified Customer
Make sure you are OK with your shorebased theory
A very well run and professional operation. Clear communication, helpful advice, good choice of structure (5 days or split over two weekends). The actual practical course was brilliant (challenging, intense, but I learned so much and had some fun as well). Our instructor (Paul Lewis) was absolutely top drawer and focused on the areas we needed the most. I would definitely make sure you are OK with your shorebased theory (which also arranged through them) as it allows you time to put htis in to practice. Great experience. Highly recommend it.
Richard H
Verified Customer
Not Sure Where to Start?
Use our guides to determine your level and find suitable courses.
See how internationally recognised RYA courses progress alongside your sailing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more info? Look no further.
Ready to Earn your RYA Day Skipper Theory
Get to grips with navigation on this informative and fun online course.
- Learn in your own time and space
- Friendly and knowledgeable instructor
- Day Skipper Theory online for your convenience
Excellent Training
First Class Sailing are a great team, providing excellent training both for formal RYA sailing courses and sailing experiences. The boats are in very good condition & well equipped for training & local cruising. The team are super knowledgeable and they have a great roster of instructors in hand to deliver the courses.
Ian H
Verified Customer
Ready to Earn your RYA Day Skipper Theory
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