Course and qualification

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Sailing Course

IntermediateAdvancedAfloat

About this course

With an emphasis on coastal and offshore passages by day and night, the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course delves into the complexities of skippering a yacht. Designed to push your practical sailing skills to the next level, this course aims to prepare you for more challenging conditions and scenarios on the water. As a purely practical course with a minimum duration of 5 days, you’ll cover everything from passage planning to emergency procedures.

Course fundamentals

Minimum age	Minimum age: 17
Duration	5 days
Course content	Passage planning; Preparation for sea; Pilotage; Passage making and ability as skipper; Yacht handling under power; Yacht handling under sail; Adverse weather conditions; Emergency situations
Certificate or qualification	The appropriate RYA course completion certificate is awarded following successful completion of the course and its prescribed assessment.
Award type	Course completion certificate
Separate assessment	Not required

Prerequisites

Logged experience required

15 days 2 days as skipper 300 miles and 8 night hours

Sea miles: 300 miles
Night hours: 8 hours
Days as skipper: 2 days

Check the official RYA prerequisite information (opens in a new tab)

Recommended course progression

Starting from the beginning

We have not assessed your existing qualifications, knowledge or experience yet, so every step is shown as still to do.

View your course roadmap5 steps · Starts from the beginning

Follow these courses in order to build the course knowledge or certificates described above.

Logged experience, sea time and required documents are assessed separately and are not completed by taking these courses alone.

Step 1 · To do
RYA Start Yachting Course
RYA schemes:RYA Sail Cruising
RYA Start Yachting Course
This practical course is a great way to get a feel for sailing and will teach you the fundamentals of how to steer a yacht under power, raise the sails,…
No RYA minimum ageRecommended age8 and overProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:Beginner
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 2 · To do
RYA Competent Crew Practical Course
RYA schemes:RYA Sail Cruising
RYA Competent Crew Practical Course
RYA Competent Crew is the essential starting point for your RYA training. The course introduces absolute beginners to the delights of sailing aboard a cruising yacht. Making it ideal for…
No RYA minimum ageRecommended age12 and overProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:Beginner
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 3 · To do
RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
RYA schemes:Motor Cruising Shorebased Powerboat RYA Sail Cruising
RYA Day Skipper Theory Course
RYA Day Skipper Theory is a theory-based course aimed at prospective yacht skippers and inexperienced crew looking to boost their knowledge and skillset. The course itself offers a comprehensive introduction…
No RYA minimum ageProviders may set their own age rules, especially for under-18s.
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
Format:ClassroomOnline
Setting:Shorebased
View course
Step 4 · To do
RYA Day Skipper Practical Sailing course
RYA schemes:RYA Sail Cruising
RYA Day Skipper Practical Sailing course
Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll be able to safely take charge of a 30-45ft sail cruising yacht and its crew on day trips in familiar waters. The Day Skipper…
Minimum age16 and over
Level:Intermediate
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 5 · To do
Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
RYA schemes:Motor Cruising Shorebased Powerboat RYA Sail Cruising
Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory
The RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory course is an advanced shore-based program for experienced sailors. Topics include complex navigation, advanced meteorology, and passage planning in tidal waters. Participants also learn…
Level:IntermediateAdvanced
Format:ClassroomOnline
Setting:Shorebased
View course