Day Skipper Course at Oyster Coast Watersports

OVERVIEW

Motor Cruising - Day Skipper Practical Course (4 Days)  

This is an exceptional motor cruising course designed to give you your first experience of skippering a motor cruiser, which features a toilet and berths, distinguishing it from powerboat courses that involve open boats without accommodation.

This practical sailing course spans 4 days, typically commencing on a Saturday. Should the weather not cooperate, we may need to postpone and start later, so it’s advisable to take time off work from Saturday to the following Sunday (a week) as a precaution. We will have a good idea of the weather forecast 3-5 days prior to your course, allowing us the flexibility to potentially start by Thursday and still complete the course.

Throughout this motor cruising course, you will learn essential skills such as starting the engine, performing daily checks, chartwork, making passages, mooring, man overboard procedures, and gaining the confidence to safely enjoy motor cruising.

We require a minimum of 2 adults for this course and can accommodate a maximum of 4. Additionally, if you have children, we also offer the Start Motor Cruising course aimed at kids aged between 8 and 16 years. This course can run concurrently with the Day Skipper course and will keep young learners engaged as they acquire valuable skills like fender handling, knot tying, chart reading, and basic helming. For £250, a young person can join the Day Skipper course when accompanied by adults.

Our vessel is a Dutch Steel Motor Yacht, and you’re welcome to stay on board as she can accommodate up to 5 people. Basic food is included in the cost, but we will need to be informed of any specific dietary requirements in advance.

We will be navigating along the beautiful Kent coastline, including Ramsgate, Deal, Dover, and in case of adverse weather, we may opt for the calmer waters of the Swale Estuary or the Medway. If conditions permit, we might even cross the channel to France, so don’t forget your passport.

Course topics will cover preparing the boat for sea, boat handling including turning in confined spaces, navigation skills like plotting, visual fixes, waypoints, tidal heights and streams, course to steer, buoyage, and use of electronic aids (please refer to the note at the bottom of the page regarding the theory for becoming a Day Skipper). You will also learn pilotage for departing and arriving at ports, harbours, and marinas, as well as passage planning that considers crew limitations, the boat, tides, and weather. Understanding weather forecasts and charts, along with International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, will also be covered.

At the end of the 4-day practical sailing course, your instructor will evaluate whether you have achieved the necessary skills to obtain the RYA Day Skipper certificate. This certificate can then be converted to an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for a nominal fee through the RYA, which is beneficial if you intend to hire a boat outside of the UK.

Question: Do I need the Day Skipper Theory certificate before taking the RYA Day Skipper practical course?  

Answer: A student can complete the practical Day Skipper Course without the Theory element; however, in practice, most students find it challenging to pass without a solid understanding of the Day Skipper Theory Course Syllabus. Therefore, it may be advantageous to complete the RYA Day Skipper online course with us prior to attending the Day Skipper practical course.