RYA Day Skipper Practical
In the Day Skipper practical course, you will learn from the ground up how to safely, responsibly, and efficiently command your boat and crew.
A skipper’s role extends far beyond navigation and steering—they are fully responsible for both the safety and well-being of everyone on board, and this is exactly what this course focuses on. You will learn boat handling and basic engine maneuvers, mooring in various conditions, and preparing for your first independent voyages, including meteorology, passage planning, and crew organization. The course places great emphasis on marina maneuvering and mastering sailing techniques in different situations. It also includes a several-hour night sail to build confidence in low-visibility conditions. This course is usually taught by a Czech or Slovak instructor, but at least a basic level of English communication is required.
Information and conditions
6 days (7 nights) on board, the course starts on Saturday evening and ends on Friday evening, with the option to stay overnight until Saturday morning.
16 (under 18 only with parental or legal guardian accompaniment)
There is no formal exam; instead, the course follows an assessment-based approach. The instructor evaluates your progress, discusses your improvement, and determines at the end of the week whether you have met the required standards for certification.
Basic practical sailing skills (equivalent to Competent Crew level)
Theoretical knowledge at the level of an RYA Day Skipper Theory graduate
5 days at sea, 100 nautical miles sailed, 4 hours of night sailing
Fundamentals of practical navigation and coastal sailing, maneuvering and sailing under both sail and engine, effective crew organization, basic seamanship, and essential sailing skills.
RYA Day Skipper
RYA Sail Cruising Scheme Syllabus and Logbook
The practical course fee includes: accommodation on a fully RYA-certified sailing yacht, including all fees, mooring in the home marina, instruction from an RYA-certified instructor, course materials, and certification fees.
The course fee does not include: harbor fees outside the home marina, fuel consumed during the week, and food costs (shared equally among participants), as well as personal and travel insurance and transportation to the course location.
The meal plan is arranged by the crew, but typically, a joint grocery purchase is made before departure. Breakfast, snacks, and light lunches are usually prepared on board, while dinners are either on board or at a restaurant, depending on crew preference (usually a combination of both).
Before the course, we can connect all registered participants to coordinate shared transportation and other arrangements.
Available dates
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