Duration

5 consecutive days or 3 x weekends (weekends do not need to be consecutive).

Previous experience required

RYA Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster theory course completion (or equivalent knowledge or experience) AND sailing ability to the level of Competent Crew.

The RYA recommends that students have the following experience as minimum – 5 days on a yacht, 100 miles experience and 4 hours night watch keeping.

Course content

Skippering a yacht for the first time can be a daunting yet exhilarating experience. The RYA Day Skipper practical course is designed to teach you to "take charge" safely and confidently.

A skipper does much more than navigates and steer. They are responsible for the complete safety and well being of the yacht and crew including weather forecasting, victualling, engine maintenance, sail selection and handling, passage planning, watch keeping, navigation and pilotage.

Your experienced and patient instructor will teach you these skills and you will put them into practice as you skipper the yacht on short passages around Lake Macquarie. There is particular emphasis on boat handling for Day Skippers and during the course you will practice mooring under various conditions.

Students live aboard the yacht during the course and visit many of the beautiful bays and anchorages that Lake Macquarie has to offer to practice pilotage techniques. You will complete at least 4 hours night sailing to experience night pilotage and identify lights. You will also take the yacht out through the tidal Swansea channel, navigating through the bridge and experience some offshore sailing into the port of Newcastle.

At the end of the course you will be confident to skipper a cruising yacht on short offshore passages by day. Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded the RYA Day Skipper certificate.

Courses are conducted aboard our comfortable training yacht and the cost of the course includes all meals on board during the course.

Syllabus
	Skippers responsibilities
	Living aboard
	Preparation for sea
	Safety aspects & procedures
	Emergency Situations
	Radio Procedures
	Maintenance / Repair Work
	Port entries & pilotage
	Passage making & Coastal navigation
	Meteorology
	Log keeping
	Boat Handling under sail and power
	Deck Work
	Engines & checks

Inclusions

Meals on board, Insurance, Safety Equipment, Wet weather gear and Course Completion Certificate

Register - Course Registration