The Day Skipper practical course is for those aspiring to become a skipper and who have some basic navigation and sailing skills.

This five day course expands on previous basic sailing knowledge, to ensure to have sufficient skills skipper short day time passages. During this course you will be given the opportunity to take charge of your cruising vessel for the first time, under the watchful eye of your instructor. This course can be taken either on a sailing yacht or a power boat. The Day Skipper practical course is normally taken over one week or 5 consecutive days, however you can also take the course over 3 weekends.

Pre-course experience

Before taking your Day Skipper course you should have a minimum level of pre-course experience, which includes 5 days sailing, 100 miles and 4 night hours on board a sailing or motor vessel. Some schools require you to hold your Day Skipper theory certificate and others suggest you have basic navigational knowledge up to the standard of Day Skipper theory.

Assumed Knowledge

It is assumed that if you are taking you Day Skipper you have basic navigational knowledge and helmsmanship skills.

Minimum Age

The minimum age for taking your Day Skipper Course is 16.

Minimum course duration

Five days, three weekends or one three days session and one two day session.

Course Content

The Day Skipper practical course covers preparation for going to sea, deck work, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, maintenance and repair work, engines, rules of the road, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, passage making, emergency situations, and night cruising.

Ability after the Course

After completing the Day Skipper course you will be able to skipper a small cruising craft for short day time passages.

The Next Step

Once you have completed your Day Skipper course, we recommend you move on to your Yachtmaster/Costal Skipper Theory  course.

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

Day 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 £500 in the UK (low season) to £650 in Tenerife (high season)