Learn how to navigate on this shorebased Day Skipper Theory course. Courses on Zoom or in the classroom in London or Southampton.
The Day Skipper shorebased course is for those that have done little or no actual navigation, regardless of whether you have a lot of sailing experience or none.
The course includes learning lots about navigation (including use of GPS and electronic charts), meteorology, collision regulations and safety procedures.
Looking for the Practical Course? View Day Skipper Practical Course.
We offer a variety of different ways to take the Day Skipper theory course.
Ideally the Day Skipper theory course should be followed by a Day Skipper practical course. On completion of the practical course you will be qualified to charter and skipper a yacht. Depending on how much sailing you have previously done you may need to take a practical Competent Crew course before taking the Day Skipper Practical Course. These 'on the water courses' are held from Southampton.
This is a shore based course. So there is no requirement of you to give up days/evenings/nights work to go sailing.
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 some 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: Navigation, meteorology, rules of the road, safety.
To allow for different lifestyles and learning preferences we have a variety of different ways that you can take the Day Skipper shorebased course.
We provide a comprehensive set of materials to assist you with the course including:
It is not a problem if you have to miss a lesson providing you are prepared to put some effort into catching up. If you are on a Zoom course the sessions are recorded to watch later in the week. If you are on a classroom course we provide a comprehensive set of materials including an area on our website where you can access the slides the instructor shows. There is a bit of homework each session and providing you do this you know you will have caught up sufficiently. Also the instructor is available on phone/email in between sessions.
Start Times
Courses are run over 40 hours plus time for exams. Times vary but generally evening classroom classes start at 6.00pm with the instructor being available from 5.30pm. Weekend classes start at 9am.
Zoom class timings vary and you should check the timings of the specific course dates that you are interested in.
The link below will take you to the different Classroom and Zoom dates.
You need for the course a set of plotters and dividers. These are navigational instruments. We can provide them for £28. 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 £7.49 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.
"Thanks very much for your entertaining lessons, they were definitely something to look forward to during my week! This shows that people can do the course over video chat, it is actually quite easy to follow along online."
Luke A.
"What did you like most about about your course? Well-defined and beautifully balanced act between people, didactics and technology. Combo is rarely achieved successfully but it hits the bull's eye! How would you rate the support you received during your course on a scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being very poor and 5 being excellent? 5 no doubt. From the first feedback onwards it's guaranteed you are not alone! I like the way anecdotes and facts are sprinkled occasionally alongside the syllabus, like recent ship wrecks in the Channel, etc. This certainly makes reading more interesting as text books tend to be somewhat drier. Please use any occasion to exploit that approach. That enriches the reader immensely as it is first-hand knowledge in its purest form, and that is certainly difficult to obtain anywhere else. Well done. "
LJ.
"The Instructor was an excellent coach and really took the time with our class to ensure we all understood all aspects of the course. He was patient and prepared to take the time to ensure we all had the best knowledge transferred to us. He was an excellent instructor and had a significant amount of detailed knowledge that was most helpful to me and the rest of the class. He is passionate and fully committed to his work and goes above and beyond to ensure you are capable and have a really enjoyable experience learning with him. First Class Sailing are well organised and the logistics, course material and facilities were all top notch "
David, Director
"First Class Sailing should be your only choice for embarking on any theoretical or practical learning experience you may require. Regardless of previous experience it is defiantly No1. Choice for getting the best start around your sailing experience requirements. "
David, Director
"An excellent outfit, well equipped with good boats and brilliant instructors, that is small enough to give a warm personal service but big enough to cope with the full gamut of yachting experiences"
Thomas H.
"I am no longer scared of the engine, touching bolts etc."
Georgina, Office Manager
"Excellent instructor - gave freely of his experience - very dedicated and enormously helpful."
Colin McKnight
"Professional and effective. Good equipment, taught by knowledgable and enthusiastic professionals."
Ron G."The instructor was the perfect balance of show and tell mixed with letting you make your own mistakes safely. (The booking process) was all very professional and friendly. I felt the booking official actually cared about getting my booking right. Friendly, personalised, professional with out being officious. "
Andy C.
"Excellent and I highly recommend to take any of First Class Sailing's courses"
Daniel O., Senior Manager
"Best Sailing School in the UK!"
Stefano D, Director
"Don't choose courses on basis of price. All courses are not the same. Both First Class Sailing Theory and Practical courses are 'First Class'."
Michael T,
"Great practical use of equipment. Good class size. Relaxed. "
Hannah T.,
"Good clear explanations and pragmatic approach, was very easy to follow. Excellent instructor."
Neil M.
"Hands on, excellent instructor. Very professional, excellent course, 1st Class Service. "
Julian N.
"Clear and focused on practical needs. "
Julein Q.
"Concise, covered all relevant and necessary material without unneeded extra time. Instructor was friendly, informative and extremely competent. "
Troy B.
"Good level of detail and experience from instructor. "
Robert A.
"Good entertaining tuition. Lots of anecdotes to make it interesting, great practical experience."
Nick S.
"The booking was well handled and the confirmation emails received speedily. Very helpful to receive pre course notes. Professional, helpful, good value. "
Sarah R.
"Friendly informative courses delivered in a relaxed environment by knowledgeable instructors. "
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