RYA Practical Courses
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RYA Practical Courses are run throughout the year
Maximum four students per course  
Please visit the programme page or contact us for details
   
Competent Crew

This course is for beginners and those who would like to become active crew members rather than just passengers.
Experience living on board and really get to know the boat. Virtually all the course is hands on. You are the crew - without you the sails won't go up and the boat won't be steered.
By the end of the course you should be able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day duties on board. You should also have visited some interesting places and had an enjoyable holiday.
Pre-course experience
 None
Assumed knowledge
 None
Minimum duration
 5 Days
Minimum age
None
Course content
Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat, rigging and sails, sail handling, ropework, fire precautions and fighting, personal safety equipment, man overboard, emergency equipment, meteorology, seasickness, helmsmanship, general duties, manners and customs, rules of the road, dinghies
Ability after the course
Able to steer, handle sails, keep a lookout, row a dinghy and assist in all the day to day routines


Day Skipper

A course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.
Learn to skipper a short passage with the instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety. Experience being in charge, taking credit when it all goes well and being responsible when it doesn't.
Pre-course experience
 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours aboard a sailing yacht
Assumed knowledge
 Basic navigation and helmsmanship - it is recommended you attend the Day Skipper shorebased course beforehand
Minimum duration
 5 Days
Minimum age
16
Course content
Preparation for sea, deckwork, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, passage making, night cruising
Ability after the course
Background knowledge to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day


Coastal Skipper

Advanced skippering techniques with considerable knowledge of sailing and navigation, undertaking more challenging coastal and pilotage passages by day and by night.  By the end of the course you should have the knowledge, if not the experience, to become a Yachtmaster.
Pre-course experience
 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, 8 night hours
Assumed knowledge
 Boat handling to the standard of Day Skipper and navigation to shorebased Coastal Yachtmaster
Minimum duration
 5 Days
Minimum age
17
Course content
Passage planning, preparation for sea, pilotage, passage making and ability as skipper, yacht handling under power and sail, adverse weather conditions, emergency situations.
Ability after the course
Able to skipper a yacht on coastal passages by day and night.



Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore prep with MCA exam
Both courses are run over five days with a further two days for the RYA/MCA exam.

The Yachtmaster Coastal has the knowledge needed to skipper a yacht on coastal cruises but does not necessarily have the experience needed to undertake longer passages.  The exam will include an assessment of your skippering skills, boat handling, general seamanship, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of the IRPCS (collision regulations), meteorology and signals. Candidates will be set tasks to demonstrate their ability and may also be asked questions on any part of the syllabus for all practical and shorebased courses up to Yachtmaster Coastal level.
 
Yachtmaster Coastal Exam Pre-requisites
Minimum seatime    30 days, 2 days as skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours (if you hold the Coastal Skipper course completion certificate this is reduced to 20 days, 2 days as skipper, 400 miles, 12 night hours).  Half the qualifying sea time must be completed in tidal waters.
Form of exam practical
Certification required restricted (VHF only) Radio Operators Certificate or GMDSS Short Range Certificate or higher grade of marine radio certificate
Valid first aid certificate (first aid qualifications held by police, fire and armed services accepted)
Minimum exam duration    6 – 10 hours for 1 candidate, 8 – 14 hours for 2 candidates
Minimum age  17

The Yachtmaster Offshore is competent to skipper a cruising yacht on any passage during which the yacht is no more than 150 miles from harbour.
 
Yachtmaster Offshore Exam Pre-requisites
Minimum seatime 50 days, 2,500 miles including at least 5 passages over 60 miles measured along the rhumb line from the port of departure to the destination, acting as skipper for at least two of these passages and including two which have involved overnight passages.  5 days experience as skipper.  At least half this mileage and passages must be in tidal waters. All qualifying seatime must be within 10 years prior to the exam.
Form of exam practical
Certification required  restricted (VHF only) Radio Operators Certificate or a GMDSS Short Range Certificate or higher grade of marine radio certificate. A valid first aid certificate* (first aid qualifications held by Police, Fire and Armed Services are acceptable).
Minimum exam duration 8-12 hours for 1 candidate, 10-18 hours for 2 candidates. No more than two candidates can be examined in 24 hours and no more than four candidates can be examined in one 2 day session.
Minimum age  18

"I came on in leaps and bounds on the course, thank you for a great week." - Zoe, Yachtmaster Coastal prep week
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