5-Day RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course on the Solent

Stepping up from Day Skipper level, this course focuses on developing stronger skippering and navigation skills for longer coastal passages. Over five days, students practise advanced boat handling, navigation, and decision-making both by day and at night. Training takes place on the Solent, providing varied conditions ideal for refining practical sailing ability.

⛵ Key Details

• Duration: 5 days and 4 nights
• Minimum age: 18 years
• Group size: Maximum 3 participants
• Location: Solent and surrounding harbours
• Training onboard: Live-aboard sailing yacht

🧭 Key Skills

• Planning and executing longer coastal passages
• Night navigation and sailing in restricted visibility
• Advanced yacht handling under sail and engine
• Crew management and watch organisation
• Man overboard recovery and emergency procedures

📖 What to Expect

Training builds on previous sailing experience and focuses on developing the confidence needed to skipper a yacht on coastal passages. During the course you will practise passage planning, pilotage, navigation, and boat handling in more challenging situations than earlier training levels. Students take turns leading manoeuvres and planning legs of the journey while the instructor provides guidance and feedback.

Sailing takes place across the Solent and nearby coastal areas where tidal streams, busy harbours, and varied weather create realistic learning conditions. Longer passages allow students to practise navigation, watchkeeping, and crew coordination, including sailing at night and operating safely in restricted visibility.

Throughout the week you will be encouraged to take responsibility on board, directing the crew, preparing the yacht for sea, and managing navigation tasks. The course operates as a taught assessment, meaning students who demonstrate the required competence across the five days will successfully complete the qualification.

📍 Location

Training begins from Port Hamble Marina in the village of Hamble, situated on the River Hamble along the northern edge of the Solent. This area is widely recognised as one of the UK’s best sailing locations due to reliable winds, strong tidal streams, and the close proximity of numerous harbours and anchorages.

Typical sailing routes may include Cowes, Yarmouth, Beaulieu River, Lymington, The Needles and Alum Bay, Newtown Creek, Portsmouth, Wootton Creek, Osborne Bay, Langstone Harbour, and Chichester Harbour. These varied locations provide ideal opportunities to practise pilotage, navigation, and harbour manoeuvres in real coastal sailing conditions.

🛏️ Accommodation

Accommodation is provided onboard the yacht for the duration of the course. The vessels used are Reflex 38 sailing yachts which offer practical training space as well as comfortable bunk-style cabins for overnight stays.

Although the yachts can sleep up to eight people, courses operate with a maximum of five students plus the instructor to ensure plenty of hands-on participation. Facilities include bunk beds, a galley kitchen, sink, toilet, and shower. Most evenings are spent in marinas or harbours where shore-based shower facilities are available.

⚓ Prerequisites

Participants should already have solid sailing experience before attending the course. Recommended experience includes at least 15 days at sea, around 300 miles sailed, and approximately 8 hours of night sailing, including some time acting as skipper.

Students should also possess theoretical knowledge to Yachtmaster Theory level and be comfortable performing routine sailing tasks. The course is designed for sailors ready to develop the confidence and competence required to skipper a yacht on longer coastal passages.

🌊 Why Choose Us

We aim to create sailing experiences that combine practical instruction with a supportive and positive learning environment. Students are encouraged to take part in every aspect of running the yacht, both above and below deck, helping them build genuine confidence as skippers and crew members.

Our instructors bring many years of sailing and racing experience across the UK and international waters. Training focuses on real-world situations, helping students learn through practice, teamwork, and constructive guidance while developing the skills required for safe and responsible coastal sailing.