Coastal Skipper

Course Content

The RYA Coastal Skipper practical course focuses on advanced seamanship and skippering techniques. It builds on Day Skipper knowledge and introduces the decision-making and leadership skills needed for extended passages and night sailing.

Passage Planning

• Creating detailed passage plans, including tidal heights and streams, ports of refuge, and safety considerations.
• Planning for alternative routes and weather contingencies.
• Use of pilot books, almanacs, and chart plotters for planning and execution.

Preparation for Sea

• Conducting full safety briefings and pre-departure checks.
• Allocating crew roles and responsibilities based on experience and conditions.
• Ensuring the vessel is properly equipped and provisioned for longer passages.

Navigation and Pilotage

• Advanced use of tidal curves, secondary port calculations, and estimated positions.
• Practical navigation under sail and engine, including in restricted visibility.
• Night pilotage techniques and entry into unfamiliar harbours after dark.

Skippering Techniques

• Decision-making under pressure and adapting plans in changing conditions.
• Effective crew management and communication.
• Executing harbour approaches and berthing under difficult wind or tide.

Boat Handling

• Close-quarters manoeuvring under sail and power.
• Handling in confined spaces, including in marinas and tight anchorages.
• Sailing onto and off pontoons, moorings, and anchoring under sail.

Emergency Situations

• Managing engine failure, crew overboard recovery, and heavy weather strategies.
• Use of emergency equipment and VHF distress communications.
• Practical drills such as towing or rigging a jury rudder (time permitting).

Assessment is continuous throughout the course, with the instructor evaluating your ability to take command and make sound decisions. While it is demanding, the course is also highly rewarding, and you'll finish with a clear view of your strengths and areas to develop further.

Every RYA training centre may deliver slightly different experiences depending on location and conditions. adventuro lists a wide range of RYA courses, sailing tours, and yacht charters to help you keep building skills between certifications.

Completing the RYA Coastal Skipper course equips you to skipper a yacht safely on longer coastal and offshore passages, including overnight voyages. You’ll gain the confidence and practical experience needed to navigate unfamiliar waters, handle a yacht under pressure, and manage a crew effectively.

While this course does not itself grant a 'certificate of competence' (like the RYA Coastal Skipper exam does), it is an essential stepping stone for those aiming for the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore qualifications. Most importantly, it gives you the skills to plan and undertake more ambitious cruising, whether that’s hopping between harbours in the UK, exploring the Irish Sea, or preparing to charter a boat abroad.

Once qualified, many sailors go on to take the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore theory course or prepare for the Yachtmaster exam. If you're looking to rent or charter boats internationally, this course—combined with the RYA theory and an ICC—can help meet insurance and legal requirements.

• You should have logged at least 15 days at sea, including 8 hours night sailing and 2 days as skipper.
• A minimum of 300 nautical miles sailed is required.
• RYA Day Skipper practical and theory course completion is strongly recommended.
• You must be competent in basic navigation, meteorology, and collision regulations.
• You should be confident handling a yacht under sail and power in varied conditions.
• A reasonable level of physical fitness is expected to manage onboard tasks safely.

The RYA Coastal Skipper practical course typically runs over 5 days, often as a continuous liveaboard experience. Some centres may offer it over two weekends. Expect long days afloat, including at least one night sail to simulate real passage-making conditions.

The RYA Coastal Skipper course is assessed continuously by your instructor rather than through a final exam. You’ll be evaluated on your ability to plan and execute coastal passages safely and confidently, taking into account weather conditions, tides, and navigation. Expect to be assessed on advanced seamanship, pilotage, night sailing, and boat handling under sail and power. Instructors typically provide feedback throughout the course and offer guidance to help you meet the required standard. While this is a challenging course, most students succeed with preparation and practice. You’ll receive the RYA Coastal Skipper (non-commercial) certificate upon successful completion. If you're pursuing a commercial endorsement, an additional exam may be required. You can book a course at one of adventuro’s trusted RYA partner centres across the UK and beyond.