RYA Day Skipper Theory Online Course

This online course is designed for beginners and sailors with minimal navigation experience. Over approximately 40 hours, you’ll learn to plan passages, plot courses, and understand tides, charts, and safety procedures entirely from home. Instructor support and additional tuition videos help you complete the course at your own pace.

⛵ Key Details

• Duration: Approx. 40 hours
• Minimum age: 16 years
• Format: Online, self-paced
• Instructor support: Available throughout
• Access period: 6 months (extensions available)

🧭 Key Skills

• Navigational chartwork and plotting
• Tides and tidal streams calculations
• Pilotage and coastal passage planning
• Knowledge of safety equipment and emergency procedures
• Understanding international regulations and collision avoidance rules

📖 What to Expect

You will work through structured online modules covering nautical terminology, ropework, anchor work, and safety procedures. Each module includes interactive content, exercises, and guidance from an instructor.

The course then moves into navigation, including chartwork, compass use, tidal calculations, visual fixing, and passage planning. Practical examples and problem-solving exercises are provided to ensure you can apply theory in real-world situations.

Exams consist of two 1.5-hour assessments marked by your instructor. You’ll receive feedback and can revisit any modules or use extra tuition videos to reinforce learning. On successful completion, you will have the theoretical knowledge to skipper a yacht by day in familiar waters and progress to the RYA Day Skipper Practical course.

📍 Location

This course is fully online, allowing you to study from home or anywhere with internet access. Materials and exercises are accessible on your own schedule, giving you flexibility around work, family, or other commitments.

While studying online, you will gain the same foundational knowledge as traditional shore-based courses, including tides, chartwork, meteorology, navigation, and safety procedures. Instructor support is available through email or video calls for any questions or clarifications.

⚓ Prerequisites

No formal sailing experience is required, though some practical knowledge is beneficial. The course is suitable for complete beginners, including those with prior sailing experience who have not studied navigation.

Students should be comfortable using a computer and following written instructions. A plotter set may be required for chart exercises, and students are advised to have access to paper, pencils, and a calculator for navigation practice.

🌊 Why Choose Us

We provide flexible, self-paced learning with the guidance of experienced instructors. Our approach allows you to study theory thoroughly at your own pace while having access to professional support when needed.

Our team has extensive experience training sailors of all levels. With years of expertise in yacht handling, navigation, and seamanship, we ensure you gain the theoretical knowledge necessary to progress safely to practical sailing and achieve RYA Day Skipper competence.