Course and qualification

RYA Day Skipper Practical Motor Cruising

RYA schemes:Motor Cruising RYA

Age:Minimum age16 and over

Level:Intermediate

Setting:Afloat

About this course

This four-day course gives you the chance to take charge on short passages under instruction. You will concentrate on pilotage boat handling seamanship and navigation. This course can also help you get the best from your modern electronic aids such as GPS and radar, which are now virtually standard equipment on modern motor cruisers.

Course fundamentals

Minimum age	Minimum age: 16
Duration	4 days
Course content	Preparation for sea; Boat handling; Navigation; Pilotage; Passage making; Meteorology; Rules of the road; Engines; Emergency situations; Night cruising
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

Course knowledge and logged experience required

Basic helmsmanship ability. 5 days, 100 miles and 4 night hours onboard a motor cruiser. Navigation and theory knowledge to Day Skipper Shorebased level.

Sea miles: 100 miles
Night hours: 4 hours

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 roadmap3 steps · Starts from the beginning

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

Once you tell us what you already know or hold, we can recognise equivalent knowledge or skills and adjust this route.

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 Motor Cruising
RYA schemes:Motor Cruising RYA
RYA Start Motor Cruising
You’ll cover personal safety and seamanship, how to deal with emergency situations, coming alongside, picking up a mooring and basic boat handling. And with children as young as eight-years-old able…
Minimum age8 and over
Level:Beginner
Setting:Afloat
View course
Step 2 · To do
RYA Helmsman Practical Course
RYA schemes:Motor Cruising RYA
RYA Helmsman Practical Course
This two-day course covers basic boat handling, helmsmanship, safety and basic engine maintenance. It aims to teach boat handling & safety within a defined area. It is specific to the…
Minimum age12 and over
Level:BeginnerIntermediate
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