Sunsail’s RYA Day Skipper practical course enables students to gain the experience and qualifications necessary to set sail with confidence on one of Sunsail’s yacht charter or flotilla holidays, in some of the most breathtaking sailing destinations in the world.

This is a practical course for sailors with significant previous sailing experience (a minimum of five days sailing and living on board, 100 miles logged and four hours night sailing is required) and a comprehensive understanding of the theory behind the practice. Students preferably take the RYA Day Skipper theory course or have theory knowledge to this level.

We suggest all students invest in additional reading material, such as the RYA Day Skipper handbook. You can buy this book from our base in Port Solent.

This is an internationally recognised certificate and it is strongly recommended that you gain either this, or the ICC (International Certificate of Competence) certificate as more countries move towards compulsory certification.

RYA Day Skipper or ICC are requirements for chartering in Croatia.

The Sunsail RYA Day Skipper practical course will enable you to skipper a yacht by day in familiar waters. You will gain the qualifications and experience needed to set sail on board your own yacht, on a yacht charter or flotilla holiday to many of our breathtaking worldwide destinations.

Following the five-day Day Skipper practical course you'll have experience of deck work, navigation and passage making, as well as the confidence to skipper under sail and power.

The course will teach you basic practical skippering techniques which will enable you to skipper a yacht on short coastal passages by day, in both tidal and non-tidal waters. As a skipper you'll be responsible for the management of a yacht, and therefore the course includes elements of meteorology, engine checking, passage planning, preparing the yacht for sea and rules of the road.

The minimum pre-course experience required is five days sailing and living onboard, 100 miles logged and four hours night sailing. You will also need to have completed your Day Skipper theory course prior to taking your practical, or have knowledge equivalent to this level.