Can You Charter a Yacht with Day Skipper?

If you’re considering a holiday where you can charter a yacht for the day, or perhaps looking to get out on the water over a weekend at home, it’s important to understand the qualifications you will need.

While you may have some sailing experience from spending a few hours on boats in recent years, telling a yacht charter company that you have experience simply won’t cut it.

In short, to charter a boat in many countries, you will need to have the RYA Day Skipper qualification or similar. First Class Sailing is one of leading providers of RYA courses, and you can sign-up with us before you charter a yacht in the future.

Passing your RYA Day Skipper qualification is essential if you want to sail and charter responsibly. This qualification will provide both you and the charter company with confidence in your sailing and safety skills.

It shows that you have a level of competency for operating a yacht and won’t be a danger on the water. Many national and international bodies recognise this qualification, and it’s often required by boat charter companies to ensure that the skipper has the necessary skills to operate the vessel safely and for insurance purposes.

Not all countries require you to have RYA Day Skipper though. For example, in Croatia and Greece, you may need instead to charter a yacht with an International Certificate of Competence (ICC). If you have a Day Skipper qualification you can get an ICC from the RYA.

But if you do have the Day Skipper qualification, it will increase your chances of being able to charter a boat in most places. However, it’s important to note that each charter company may have its own specific requirements, so it’s best to contact the company directly first to see if they accept Day Skipper qualifications and if any additional requirements are necessary.

It’s also important to understand to remember that requirements for chartering a yacht will vary by country and organization, so it’s important to ensure that the qualification you hold is recognised by the yacht charter company you plan to use.

As well as RYA Day Skipper, we offer a range of RYA courses from beginner through to advanced. We also offer the theory course in London and Southampton.

What does RYA Day Skipper cover?

All candidates

• Preparation for sea
• Deck work
• Navigation
• Pilotage
• Meteorology
• Rule of the road
• Maintenance and repair work
• Engines
• Victualling
• Emergency situations

Section B

• Sail Training Candidates only – Watch Leader
• General organisation

Section C

• Yachting Candidates only – Day Skipper
• Yacht handling under power
• Yacht handling under sail
• Passage making

Posted by: First Class Sailing