RYA Day Skipper Practical Course
Why take the RYA Day Skipper course with Prometheus Sailing?
The RYA Day Skipper practical course will enable you to skipper a yacht by day in familiar waters. You will gain the qualifications and experience needed to set sail on board your own yacht, on a yacht charter or flotilla holiday.
Following the five-day RYA Day Skipper practical course you'll have experience of deck work, navigation and passage making, as well as the confidence to skipper under sail and power. You can book this course split over 2 consecutive weekends 2 days + 3 days (subject to availability).
During the course you will learn basic practical skippering techniques which will enable you to skipper a yacht on short coastal passages by day, in both tidal and non-tidal waters. As a skipper you'll be responsible for the management of a yacht, and therefore the course elements include:
- meteorology essentials
- engine checking
- passage planning
- preparing the yacht for sea
- rules of the road
Minimum pre-course experience required is:
- RYA Competent Crew course certificate or at least five days sailing and living on board
- 100 miles logged
- around four hours night sailing
You will also need to have completed your RYA Day Skipper theory course prior to taking your practical, or have knowledge equivalent to this level.
RYA Day Skipper or ICC are requirements for chartering in many overseas destinations, such as Greece, Spain, Turkey, Croatia, Italy and many other destinations. The RYA Day Skipper can be converted into an ICC directly with the RYA.
What’s Included
- 5 nights onboard the yacht (can book 2 + 3 day option)
- Instructor
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Soft drinks and snacks
- Wet weather gear
- Fuel, gas and engine hours
- RYA Day Skipper Certificate upon successful completion of the course
Courses start at 19.00hrs and finishing on your last day at 17.00hrs.
Cost (Valid from 1st March 2025)
5 Day courses - Please see our online booking calendar for dates
Off-peak (1st November – 31st March): £710pp
Peak Season (1st April – 31st October ): £760pp
Split weekend 2+3 courses - Please see below for upcoming dates
Off-peak (1st November – 31st March): £725pp
Peak Season (1st April – 31st October ) : £785pp
2025 split weekend course dates
23-26th May (1st weekend 3 days) 30-1st June (2nd weekend 2 days) - Sold out
13-15th June (1st weekend 2 days) 20-23rd June (2nd weekend 3 days) - Sold out
15-17th August (1st weekend 2 days) 22-25th August (2nd weekend 3 days)
19-21st September (1st weekend 2 days) 26-29th September (2nd weekend 3 days)
3-5th October (1st weekend 2 days) 10-13th October (2nd weekend 3 days)
7-9th November (1st weekend 2 days) 14-17th November (2nd weekend 3 days)
Please note, split weekend courses cannot be booked online. Please call on 02394 350 505 or email learn@prometheus-sailing.co.uk to make an enquiry/booking.
To participate in RYA courses children must meet the minimum age requirements:
- Start Yachting Course - Minimum age 8+
- Competent Crew Certification Course - Minimum age 12+
- Day Skipper Certification Course - Minimum age 16+
We welcome older children (16+) on any of our courses at any time of year, provided they are accompanied by at least one adult (18yrs+). Those under 16yrs will need to join you on a family course.
Family courses can be booked throughout the season (subject to yacht availability) Family courses must have a minimum of 2 people age 18+ on board.
Teenagers aged 13-17yrs can also take the RYA Competent Crew Course or RYA Day Skipper Certification Course (16+) during our Youth Sailing Academy weeks.
