The Coastal Skipper Practical course is designed to equip you with the boat handling and navigational skills and experience to navigate coastal waters during the day and night.

This course can be taken either on a sailing yacht or a power boat. There are two different types certificate issued for Coastal Skipper the first is the practical course which is a minimum of five days and for which you will receive a certificate for attending the course and showing the correct level of competence. If you are looking to do you Coastal Skipper for commercial purposes you may be interested in following this with the two day exam taken by an independent RYA instructor; if successful you will be issued with an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence. For more information on the Yachtmaster Coastal exam please see the scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Pre-course experience

Before taking your Coastal Skipper course you should have a minimum level of pre-course experience, which includes 15 days sailing, 2 days as skipper, 300 sea miles and 8 night hours.

Assumed Knowledge

Theory knowledge up to the standard of Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory and boat handling skills up to the standard of Day Skipper Practical.

Minimum Age

The minimum age for taking your Coastal skipper Course is 17.

Minimum course duration

Five days.

Course Content

The coastal Skipper Practical course covers the processes of planning for and making a passage including passage plans, preparing the boat, pilotage, showing competence in handling the vessel and the processes involved in making the passage itself as well as adverse weather conditions and how to deal with emergency situations.

Ability after the Course

After completing the Coastal Skipper Practical course you will have the ability to skipper coastal passages by day or night.

The Next Step

Once you have completed your Coastal Skipper course, we recommend you move on to your Yachtmaster Offshore Prep and Exam.

What to Take

What you need to take will vary depending on the time of year and where you are taking your course, but there are some basics that apply across the board. For more information on specific destinations please contact us or see the relevant course destination page.

Sun Protection – regardless of what the climate is it is important to remember that you are on the water and exposed to the reflection of the sun. This means that you can suffer sun/wind burn and sun glare even on the coldest of days. We advise you always take sun cream, a sun hat (or warm hat if it cold) and sun glasses.

Music – most modern yachts have CD players (most with the ability to plug in MP3 players) and you are welcome to take your own music.

Medications and seasickness – you should take any medication you are on and ensure you inform the skipper of what you are taking. Whilst many boats carry a limited supply of seasickness medication if you know you get seasick or have not been sailing before you should always take some with you. Seasickness medication can be purchased over the counter from most pharmacists.

Clothing – This will depend greatly on where you are taking your course but there are a few things to remember. You will need to take a pair of shoes with non-marking bottoms to wear on the boat. You will generally need to take a waterproof jacket just in case (water trousers are also good for the colder climates). Some companies provide waterproofs on board but we will always advise you if this is the case and it is best to assume they don’t. Finally it is important to remember that it is often colder when you are on water and underway so always plan for this.

Guide price

Coastal Skipper practical courses vary in price depending on where you would like to do the course however as a guide line courses start from around £530 in the UK (low season) to £650 in Tenerife (high season)

Yachtmaster Coastal Exam

The Yachtmaster Coastal exam is a two day exam which will be taken by an independent RYA examiner; if successful you will be issued with an RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence. Before taking your Yachtmaster Coastal Exam you are required to have the following; 30 Days sailing 2 of which should be as Skipper, 800 miles, 12 night hours, VHF/SRC Licence, a First Aid certificate and navigational skills up to the standard of Coastal/Yachtmaster theory.

After completing the Yachtmaster Coastal (MCA/RYA) exam you will have the ability to skipper coastal passages by day or night. This qualification can be used commercially under restrictions, for more information contact the MCA http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca.

You will also be asked to pay an additional exam fee to the RYA which is £168.