Many people struggle to understand the difference between RYA Day Skipper, RYA Coastal Skipper, and RYA Yachtmaster. Here’s a breakdown of what each course involves and who it’s for.
RYA Day Skipper
If you want to skipper a vessel by day in familiar waters, the RYA Day Skipper provides the essential skills you need.
Over the five days on board, you will have the opportunity to:
- Skipper the boat on short passages
- Gain confidence navigating in daylight
- Build practical seamanship skills in familiar waters
RYA Coastal Skipper
If you wish to venture further afield, the RYA Coastal Skipper course develops your skills and confidence for longer passages, by both day and night.
Prerequisites
To be eligible, you should either:
- Have completed the RYA Day Skipper, or
- Possess strong knowledge of sailing, seamanship, and navigation
What You’ll Learn
- Advanced pilotage and passage planning
- Skills under both sail and power
- How to handle unexpected problems, such as engine failure or loss of steering
The Coastal Skipper is also an excellent stepping stone toward the RYA Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore qualifications.
RYA Yachtmaster
The RYA Yachtmaster Offshore is often pursued for professional reasons, such as:
- Running a charter business
- Working as professional yacht crew
- Acting as a yacht delivery skipper
However, many candidates also choose the Yachtmaster for personal satisfaction, to deepen their knowledge, boost confidence, and cruise safely with family.
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