RYA Day Skipper Theory

This is a shorebased course which offers a comprehensive introduction to cruising for inexperienced skippers and is by far the RYA's most popular shorebased course.

Taking The Helm can offer courses that run as evening classes throughout the winter. However, more people are requesting intense courses that run for longer evenings over a shorter period and/or over weekends. We are completely flexible, can cater for each group's need and are able to teach smaller groups or individuals.

This course equips you with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising.

The RYA are continually updating courses to take into account developments in technology and the electronic navigation aids now available on most cruising boats.

In conjunction with the UK Hydrographic Office they have developed a chart plotter specifically for use on training courses, giving you a realistic insight into electronic navigation.

The course is taught over 40 hours with two exam papers. It can be covered as a series of short sessions, spread over several weekends or as an intensive week-long course.

Course topics include:

the basics of seamanship

chartwork

position fixing

weather forecasting and meteorology

collision regulations

emergency and safety procedures including distress calls,use of flares, safety harnesses, lifejackets and liferafts

the essentials of coastal navigation and pilotage

electronic charts

plotting a course to steer

tides

construction, parts and equipment of a cruising boat