This is a shore based course. So all the lessons will be carried out at the location shown at the top of this page. The course equips you with enough knowledge to navigate around familiar waters by day. A basic knowledge of lights is also included to introduce you to night cruising.

Minimum Pre Course Experience: Great if you have done a little sailing before but doesn't matter if you haven't.

Ability after the Course: Background knowledge to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day.

Course Content: Seamanship and navigation.

We provide a comprehensive set of materials to assist you with the course including:

• Standard RYA pack with practice charts and questions (Link to picture) 
• A special First Class Sailing edition of The RYA Navigation Handbook by Tim Bartlett – contains everything you need to know and a source of reference for years to come. (Link to picture)
• A memory stick of course slides in case you miss a class, would like to see what is coming up in the next lesson or wish to refresh your memory. (Link to picture)
• A special First Class Sailing edition Cockpit Companion – a great aide memoire designed to take with you when you go on the water. (Link to picture)
• A piece of rope to practice your knot tying skills
• Enthusiastic and dedicated First Class Sailing instructors who will go the extra mile
• Wonderful customer service support team from the First Class Sailing office
• RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate at the end
• Unlimited ongoing support and advice on matters nautical

 What to expect

• Fun.
• You'll learn a lot.
• You'll meet like minded individuals.
• You'll get as much or as little help from your instructor as you need.
• An instructor who loves teaching you.
• An excellent selection of course materials.

What if I have to miss a lesson?

It is not a problem if you have to miss a lesson providing you are prepared to put some effort into catching up. We provide a comprehensive set of notes including a memory stick with the slides the instructor shows.  There is a bit of homework each week and providing you do this you know you will have caught up sufficiently.  Also the instructor is there half an hour before the start of each class and can often stay behind afterwards if required. 

Start/Finish Times

For courses run over 7 weeks (1 evening a week) and a weekend - evenings are 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The instructor is available from 6pm and will be happy to stay afterwards. The weekend of the course is 10am to 5pm both days.

For courses run over 2 and ½ weekends sessions start at 10am and end at 5pm.

You need for the course a set of plotters and dividers. These are navigational instruments.  We can provide them for £25 and you can pick them up at the first class. Alternatively you can buy them from most chandleries but they will probably be more expensive. You will be asked if you want us to supply you with this item when you book a course.

It is useful at this stage to purchase a £5 logbook. The Logbook is a place to record your miles and keep your certificates. It outlines the whole RYA Cruising Scheme giving the course content for each course.

We advise bringing a briefcase or bag to transport the course materials away on the first night.

Nautical terms

• Parts of a boat and hull

• General nautical terminology

 Ropework

• Knowledge of the properties of synthetic ropes in common use

 Anchor work

• Characteristics of different types of anchor

• Considerations to be taken into account when anchoring

Safety

• Knowledge of the safety equipment to be carried, its stowage and use (see RYA Boat Safety Handbook C8)

• Fire precautions and fire fighting

• Use of personal safety equipment, harnesses and life jackets

• Ability to send a distress signal by VHF radiotelephone

• Basic knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue

International regulations for preventing collisions at sea

• Steering and sailing rules (5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12-19)

• General rules (all other rules)

Definition of position, course and speed

• Latitude and longitude

• Knowledge of standard navigational terms

• True bearings and courses

• The nautical mile

Navigational charts and publications

• Information shown on charts, chart symbols and representation of direction and distance

• Navigational publications in common use

• Chart correction

Navigational drawing instruments

• Use of parallel rulers, dividers and proprietary plotting instruments

Compass

• Application of variation

• Awareness of deviation and its causes

• Use of hand-bearing compass

Chartwork

• Dead reckoning and estimated position including an awareness of leeway

• Techniques of visual fixing

• Satellite-derived positions

• Use of waypoints to fix position

• Course to steer

Tides and tidal streams

• Tidal definitions, levels and datum

• Tide tables

• Use of admiralty method of determining tidal height at standard port and awareness of corrections for secondary ports

• Use of tidal diamonds and tidal stream atlases for chartwork

Visual aids to navigation

• Lighthouses and beacons, light characteristics

Meteorology

• Sources of broadcast meteorological information

• Knowledge of terms used in shipping forecasts, including the Beaufort scale, and their significance to small craft

• Basic knowledge of highs, lows and fronts

Passage planning

• Preparation of navigational plan for short coastal passages

• Meteorological considerations in planning short coastal passages

• Use of waypoints on passage

• Importance of confirmation of position by an independent source

• Keeping a navigational record

Navigation in restricted visibility

• Precautions to be taken in, and limitations imposed by, fog

Pilotage

• Use of transits, leading lines and clearing lines

• IALA system of buoyage for Region A

• Use of sailing directions

• Pilotage plans and harbour entry

Marine Environment

• Responsibility for avoiding pollution and protecting the marine environment

"Very patient and a great instructor, particularly in terms of explaining tricky points, reexplaining and offering support and good humour. The real life anecdotes were great! Professional yet friendly learning experience. Agreat instructor, access to advice and resources, giving me increased confidence in preparation for sailing." Celina B., Day Skipper Theory Course

"Instruction was superb - highly knowledgeable, amazing teaching skills, obvious experience, patience. High quality, worth the money to get the result." David M., Occupational Physician Day Skipper Theory Course

"So convenient having it having the course in our building. The instructor was brilliant. Great fun. " Sam P, Day Skipper Theory Course

"Steve did a fantastic Job. He was enthusiastic and taught complex subjects in a simple to understand way. " - Dominic R., London Business School. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Professional, friendly, flexible, good value, fun, entertaining. " Jane K. , PWC, Knowledge Manager. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Instructor is brilliant. Lots of fun in learning. Lots of backup info. " Stephen K., Day Skipper Theory Course

"A cut above the rest, was very professional. " Dean B. , HazMat Surveyor, Forest Environmental Day Skipper Theory Course

"Very clear explanations, very experienced, excellent practice. " Roman N., Analyst, Credit Suisse. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Very Professional. Very experienced tutors that are well mannered and good humoured. Always apleasure to work with. " Robert J., Day Skipper Theory Course

"Time and location….Materials and Instructor, fun course one could look forward to even after a full day of work. " Tim T., Day Skipper Theory Course

"Gave a really good idea of the basic skills in order to become a day skipper. " LK., Market Risk Analyst, JP Morgan. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Good location, quick to do and can be fitted in with the other commitments. " Neil A., Day Skipper Theory Course

"Excellent pace coupled with willingness to explain complexities more slowly, targeted revision practice for each candidate. " LB., Day Skipper Theory Course

"Very professional, excellent instructor, good communication. " Karen L. , Allen & Overy, Solicitor. Day Skipper Theory Course

"The office team was excellent. I found them to be really helpful. " Roger L., Deloitte LLP. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Very impressed that you were flexible when my Father was ill and allowed me to change dates. Also that you biked pack to me - over and above what I expected. " Jane K. , PWC, Knowledge Manager. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Material was taught at good pace with lots of examples top practice with. Nice informal approach made it fun to learn. " Laura W. , IT Security Consultant, Informassure Ltd. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Smoothly organized. Nothing was too much trouble for the First Class Sailing office. Excellent instructor who blatantly loved the subject and was very good at delivering it. " Will T. , Shell. Day Skipper Theory Course

" Great course and materials. Good quality service and tuition. " Angelo DP., Director, Credit Suisse. Day Skipper Theory Course

"The instructor was clear, knowledgeable, clear slides, interesting videos. Very good service, quick and reliable. " Joao BH. , Account Manager, Bloomberg LP. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Excellent teaching methods including plenty of practice, great memory aids etc. Pace very good - keeps it very interesting. " Penelope C. , UBS, Managing Director. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Relaxed atmosphere, good pace, clear. " Michele G. , Sales Executive, Entoria Wine Cellars Ltd. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Wellpaced, good enthusiasm. Relaxed and good humoured. Fun and exciting course. " Robert J., Day Skipper Theory Course

"Instructor was patient. Explained things clearly. Good mixture of listening and doing. Brilliant memory aids. Good pace, Very good support materials. " Jane K. , PWC, Knowledge Manager. Day Skipper Theory Course

"Interesting topics, good slides and presentation of content. Good class size (not too many people). " Chelsea W., Day Skipper Theory Course