4.86/5
For Aspiring Skippers
RYA Day Skipper
Online Theory Course
- Over 40 hours of 15 fully-narrated online lessons
- Embedded quizzes with instant feedback in each lesson
- 15 self-assessment exercises with fully worked answers
- Over 50 downloadable or linked resources
- Mock exams to prepare you for the real thing
- RYA Certification on completion of course
- Provided by Skippers Online
Stop procrastinating - Start sailing now
A comprehensive introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and the basics of seamanship
The RYA Day Skipper online theory course is ideal for inexperienced and aspiring skippers.
The Day Skipper course equips you with sufficient knowledge to navigate safely around familiar waters by day plus a knowledge of lights to introduce you to night cruising.
Developments in technology and electronic navigation aids now available on most cruising boats is also included.
Invaluable if you are considering taking the RYA Day Skipper practical course and for learning how to start making informed decisions on board.
Assumed knowledge
Some practical experience is desirable.
Duration
A minimum of 40 hours of course study time is specified by the RYA, plus time for exercises and exams.
Ability after course
Background knowledge to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.
About the Course
Chart Familiarisation
Tidal Heights
Tidal Streams
The Compass & Position Fixing
Dead Reckoning & Estimated Position
Course to Steer
Electronic Navigation
Buoyage
Pilotage
Passage Planning
Meteorology
The Collision Regulations
Safety & Protection of the Environment
Unlimited support from dedicated RYA Instructors – 365 days a year via email, phone or Skype/Zoom.
14-day unconditional money-back guarantee.
Over 40 hours of 15 fully-narrated online lessons including animations, videos and realistic 3D graphics.
Embedded quizzes with instant feedback in each lesson.
15 self-assessment exercises with fully worked answers.
Over 50 downloadable or linked resources.
2 training charts & training almanac.
Mock exams to prepare you for the real thing and give you the confidence to pass.
2 final online exams with detailed instructor feedback and free repeat attempts if required.
RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory Course Completion Certificate.
12 months access to study with instructor support and exams – you can extend this if you want.
Lifetime access to training materials once you’ve completed the course.
Plotter and divider
You’ll need a course plotter and chart-dividers to complete the chartwork exercises – if you don’t already have these you can purchase a top quality set from us for £28 when you place your order.
Delivery
UK delivery is free. European delivery is £20, outside Europe delivery is £40.
You can start studying immediately as many of the lessons don’t rely on the printed support materials.
This course is accessed online with no additional software required.
Lessons are accompanied by optional professional narration, and notes.
They are intuitive and easy to follow, whilst more complex subjects are accompanied by interactive animations and graphics to help you gain a full knowledge of each subject in the course syllabus.
Detailed step-by-step workings for navigational or tidal calculations make it easy for you to follow along as we show you how to plot positions, make tidal height and stream calculations, etc
You can go over these again and again, and test your knowledge with regular quizzes throughout each lesson.
At the end of each lesson there is an excercise containg similar questions to the exam, with detailed and illustrated answers sent to you immediately to confirm your progress and fully prepare you for your mock and final exams.
You can repeat entire lessons and excercises as often as you wish until you are confident that you fully understand each subject.
When you have completed the course you can request mock and then final exams.
These are assessed by RYA Instructors and detailed feedback is provided in any areas that may require further study within the course.
If you pass the final exams you will be awarded the RYA/MCA Day Skipper Shorebased Course Certificate, which will be posted to you.
Additional free resits, with suitable Instructor guidance, are available if required.
Free student resources
Links to study aids, additional resources and downloadable files to assist your studies – e.g. Mayday prompt card, phonetic alphabet, lateral and cardinal marks, passage plan template, weather forecast terminology cheatsheet and many more.
Exceptional Support
They’re here to help you at every stage. A team of highly experienced RYA Instructors are on hand to offer unlimited assistance on any aspect of your course that you might need and to give prompt and thorough feedback on exercises and exams.
“The communication with instructors is excellent. Feedback is very detailed and prompt, with queries answered in considerable detail by helpful and friendly instructors.”
14 DAY REFUND POLICY
We’re confident that our courses are the best available. However, we know that choosing whether to study online or in a conventional classroom environment can be a big decision and we want all our students to be 100% satisfied with their choice, so we offer a 14-day no quible money back guarantee.
My mission has always been to give my students a deeper knowledge and confidence so they can take their sailing to the next level. Read the reviews below of students who have taken the course and who share their opinion about it.
Testimonial
Don’t just take our word for it…
Past students have this to say
By far the best course available
Having researched a number of Day Skipper online theory courses this was by far the best I could find. The course was extremely well written. I have received similar training in other professions but none as well crafted as this.
Paul Adams
Can’t imagine it being done better than this.
Really well designed and executed online Day Skipper course. Real life, quick and friendly support on hand. Honestly can’t imagine it being done better than this.
Katherine Fleming
Excellent in every aspect
Very thorough and well put together training programme. Instructor assistance is impressive – the response time is very quick and points addressed concisely and fully.
Colin Berry
Ability to repeat when in doubt
Logical and clear. What was really good was the ability to go back and repeat or all or part of a lesson to ensure you truly understand a concept / principle, something which is more difficult to do when in a real classroom situation
Mathew Mayatt
Very enjoyable and informative
Impressively prompt and thorough feedback on all queries, tests, mock and real exams. Very high standards and you feel you have earned the Yachtmaster certificate.
Laura Anderson
Excellent Yachtmaster theory course – I’d definitely recommend it.
Does what it says on the tin and more. I was impressed how well the course managed to tackle teaching relatively complex skills in a logical and easy to understand way.
Andrew Harvey
Get more than just the knowledge - our bonus perks will help you even after passing your tests
Premium Bonuses
Live Q&A Sessions
Tune in to our monthly LIVE Q&A sessions to have your personal questions answered.
PRIVATE COMMUNITY ACCESS
Join our “FTS Captains’ Club”of other adventurous sailors in an exclusive FB group reserved for PREMIUM members.
SCREENSAVERS & PRINTABLES
At-a-glance phone screensavers and printable cheatsheets for quick reminders.
SOFTWARE DISCOUNTS
Save on sailing specific apps like Navionics, PredictWind etc.
CHARTER DISCOUNT
Get a 5-10% VIP Customer discount on your charter fee when booking via Sailing Europe.
ACCESS TO FUTURE CONENT
We create new course content regularly, make sure you don’t miss any of it!
BUDGET CALCULATOR
Access to our spreadsheet that helps you know how much you should charge for a charter holiday.
MESSAGE TEMPLATES
Ready-to-use House Rules, Reservation T&C’s, Refund Policy, Sailing Etiquette etc.
SHARABLE WELCOME VIDEOS
Send out our pre-recorded explaining videos to your future crew, to save you time on explaining what they should expect.
Register now
Please complete this form to purchase your online RYA theory course – you can start studying straight away.
Call us on +44 238 218 2604 if you need any advice.
RYA Day skipper
For aspiring skippers- 365 days of support from RYA Instructors
- Over 40 hours of Content
- 50+ Downloadable or linked resources
- 2 training charts & training almanacs
- RYA Theory Certificate
- 12 month access for studying
- Lifetime access after completion of course
- 14 day Refund Policy