The Dayskipper course will provide the necessary skills to
be able to handle a yacht in familiar waters by day. After
successfully completing the practical, students will be awarded an RYA certificate.

It is recommended that a Dayskipper Theory course (or
equivalent) is completed prior to commencing the practical.

This practical is run over five days and four nights on board
our sail training vessel and all meals and linen are provided.
The course runs from Thursday at 0900 hours until Monday
1700 hours.

The course syllabus is as follows:

• Preparation for sea including
  Engine checks.
  Selection of sails depending on conditions.
  Securing and stowage of gear.

•  Deckwork including
  Reefing and shaking out reefs.
  Changing of sails to suit prevailing conditions.
  Preparation of an anchor and mooring warps.
  Taking charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or berth.

•  Navigation including
  Putting to use the knowledge learnt from the theory course i.e. navigating a course to steer, short passages etc.

•  Maintenance and Repair work including
  Understanding maintenance tasks and ability to carry out maintenance.
  Knowledge of the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes.
  Knowledge of knots used on a boat.

•  Engines including
  Knowledge of changing fuel and water filters.
  Knowledge of the impeller.
  Knowledge of bleeding the fuel system.

•  Victualling including
  An understanding of how to victual a boat.

•  Emergency Situations including
  Man over-board recovery and delegation of roles.
  Use of distress flares and life raft.
  Operation of a radio in an emergency and sending a distress message.
  Securing a tow.
  Knowledge of rescue procedures including helicopter rescue.

•  Yacht Handling Under Power including
  Bringing a boat safely to and from a berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide.
  Tight turns.

•  Yacht Handling Under Sail including
  Bringing a boat safely to and from a mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide.
  Steering and trimming sails efficiently on all points of sailing.