Day Skipper Training

3,029 views | April 17th, 2013

The internationally recognised Day Skipper qualification is something any aspiring skipper or someone just starting off in yachting should be setting their sights on. It is the qualification that most charter companies like to see before they charter you a yacht.

Day Skipper Training is split in to two separate courses. The Day Skipper Theory Course and the Day Skipper Practical Course. You need to do the Day Skipper Theory course (or at least have knowledge to the same standard) before taking the Day Skipper Practical Course.

Day Skipper Training: Theory Course

Day Skipper Theory is a Shorebased Course – this is a course in navigation, rules of the road and weather. The course takes place on dry land and can be taken over 2 and ½ weekends or over 7 weeks (1 evening a week) and a weekend.

You will learn the skills required to safely navigate a yacht in tidal waters. There is plenty of drawing lines on charts and plotting courses to get from anchorage to marina. You will also learn about the lights and shapes yachts and ships display that show they are sailing or fishing or constrained by draft for example. You will learn about weather systems and how to interpret the shipping forecast.

Day Skipper Training: Practical Course

The Day Skipper Practical Course takes place on a sailing yacht. The course is 5 days long and can be split of two weekends (a short and a long) or done over 5 consecutive days. You sleep on board and all food is provided for on board and cooked in the galley.

You will learn how to be a skipper. It is assumed that you already know how to sail to at least Competent Crew standard and that you have done the Day Skipper Theory course or have similar navigational knowledge. You practice pilotage and making short passages and learn about looking after your crew and giving clear instructions.