RYA Day Skipper

If you want to charter a yacht for sailing holidays with family or friends, then consider an RYA Day Skipper Course (non-tidal), which, in the non-tidal Ionian waters will give you the practical experience and theoretical knowledge needed to safely charter around the Ionian Islands of Greece as well as other sailing areas in the Mediterranean. This course gives you the chance to take charge of a sailing yacht and crew on short passages under instruction. You will concentrate on pilotage, boat handling, seamanship and navigation.

You will receive expert tuition from one of the experienced qualified RYA Instructors who is there not only to teach you but to ensure you have a really great Ionian sailing holiday. Each evening you can visit a different Ionian port or village and also get the chance to follow the Southern or Northern Ionian flotilla routes. By the end of this course, you should feel confident to skipper a sailing yacht in the Ionian sea.

When you have successfully completed the course you will receive your RYA certificate and will be ready to enjoy a flotilla sailing holiday or have a bareboat yacht charter with family or friends.

Click here for prices and what’s included

RYA Day Skipper - Course Syllabus (non-tidal)

The Day skipper course teaches pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the standard required to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in familiar waters.  

Experience needed: Ideally you will have already completed at least 5 days at sea including 100 miles and 4 night hours prior to taking the course. This experience can be gained on the RYA Competent Crew course. 

Knowledge required: Basic navigation and sailing ability + completion of or good knowledge of the RYA Day Skipper theory course or the RYA Essential Navigation and Seamanship Course. Ask us about how to gain your Day Skipper theory course in the UK or take the Essential Navigation and Seamanship course online before your Ionian sailing course.

Minimum age: 16 years.
 
Following courses: Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory and Mile Building trips

Preparation for sea 

Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of gear on deck and below.

Deck work

Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions. Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or an alongside berth or stern or bow to mooring.

Navigation

Taking and plotting visual fixes -  Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing - Use of waypoints - Working up DR and EP - Knowledge of IALA Bouyage - Maintenance of navigational records - Use of echo sounder and lead line.

Pilotage

Can prepare and execute pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour - Understands the use of leading and clearing lines - Use of transits and soundings as aids to pilotage.

Meteorology

Knows sources of forecast information - Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid.

Rules of the road

Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Maintenance and repair work

Understands and is able to carry out routine maintenance tasks - Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes.

Engines

Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system.

Victualling

Understands how to victual a yacht.

Emergency situations

Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of man overboard - Understands distress flares and how to use a life raft - Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message - Understands how to secure a tow - Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue.

Yacht handling under power

Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, bows/stern to mooring, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions.

Yacht handling under sail

Can bring a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions - Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing.

Passage making

Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards, local weather conditions and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crew.

 

You can purchase the RYA Course Syllabus and Log Book prior to your course or it can be available for purchase from your instructor upon your arrival on the course. The completion certificate is included in the cost of your course.