RYA Day Skipper Practical
FUN | SAFE | CONFIDENCE BUILDING | PROGRESSION | SKIPPERING | PILOTAGE
5 days 950 Max 5 students
A course for aspiring skippers with some yachting experience and basic navigation and sailing skills.
Upcoming Course Dates
Course date 1: Mon 06 Jan - Fri 10 Jan | 1 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 20 Jan - Fri 24 Jan | 2 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 3: Mon 27 Jan - Fri 31 Jan | 1 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 1: Mon 03 Feb - Fri 07 Feb | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 17 Feb - Fri 21 Feb | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 1: Mon 03 Mar - Fri 07 Mar | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 10 Mar - Fri 14 Mar | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 3: Mon 17 Mar - Fri 21 Mar | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 4: Mon 24 Mar - Fri 28 Mar | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 5: Mon 31 Mar - Fri 04 Apr | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 1: Mon 07 Apr - Fri 11 Apr | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 14 Apr - Fri 18 Apr | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 3: Mon 21 Apr - Fri 25 Apr | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 4: Mon 28 Apr - Fri 02 May | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 1: Mon 05 May - Fri 09 May | 5 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 12 May - Fri 16 May | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 3: Mon 19 May - Fri 23 May | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 4: Mon 26 May - Fri 30 May | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 1: Mon 02 Jun - Fri 06 Jun | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 09 Jun - Fri 13 Jun | 1 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 3: Mon 16 Jun - Fri 20 Jun | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 4: Mon 23 Jun - Fri 27 Jun | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 1: Mon 07 Jul - Fri 11 Jul | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4200 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 14 Jul - Fri 18 Jul | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4200 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 3: Mon 21 Jul - Fri 25 Jul | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4200 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 4: Mon 28 Jul - Fri 01 Aug | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4200 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 1: Mon 04 Aug - Fri 08 Aug | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4200 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 11 Aug - Fri 15 Aug | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4200 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 3: Mon 18 Aug - Fri 22 Aug | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4200 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 4: Mon 25 Aug - Fri 29 Aug | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4200 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 1: Mon 01 Sep - Fri 05 Sep | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 2: Mon 08 Sep - Fri 12 Sep | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 3: Mon 15 Sep - Fri 19 Sep | 2 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 4: Mon 22 Sep - Fri 26 Sep | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
Course date 5: Mon 29 Sep - Fri 03 Oct | 3 places left | €950 per person | €4000 private group
Note: Ideally, you will have attended the Day Skipper Theory course. If not, we also offer DS Package Course (DS Theory + DS Practical + VHF) with a 10% discount. Click the buttons below for more info.
You can book the course directly online by clicking the Course Booking Button. Please contact us if you're interested in private class or on a different date 😉
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RYA Day Skipper Practical is a must for skippers who wish to take out their family and friends, the entry level to skippering and a minimum qualification.
The course is designed to teach you to "take charge" safely and confidently. A skipper does much more than navigate. He/She is responsible for the complete safety and wellbeing of the yacht and crew.
The student will learn to skipper a short passage with the instructor on hand to give advice and encouragement and ensure your safety, have the experience being in charge and taking control of the yacht and the crew.
There is particular emphasis on boat handling for Day Skippers and during the course you will practice mooring under various conditions.
You will visit some great harbours, bays, and anchorages to practice pilotage techniques which, like boat handling, is an essential skill for the aspiring skipper. You will complete at least 4 night hours sailing to experience night pilotage and identify lights.
Upon the completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to skipper a small yacht in familiar waters by day. Students who successfully complete the Day Skipper course are awarded the RYA Day Skipper practical course completion certificate.
RYA Day Skipper Practical licence is the entry level and the minimum requirement for chartering yachts in many locations around the world, coupled it with your VHF license. This course will also enable you to apply for the ICC (International Certificate of Competence, limited to certain nationalities).
The course lasts 5 days. Each day the course starts at 09:30 and ends at around 17:00 (except for the day of night sail). The course is usually run from Monday to Friday every week. Accommodation onboard during the course is included in the course price.
You are also welcome to charter the whole yacht for yourself and take your RYA Day Skipper course in a more relaxed way for yourself and up to 4 friends / family (they can take their RYA Competent Crew course with you at same time).The cost for that is shown in the course dates section above.
- Pre-course experience: 5 days, 100 miles, 4 night hours onboard a sailing yacht.
- Assumed knowledge: Navigation to Day Skipper Shorebased level and basic sailing ability. It is recommended that you have attended the Day Skipper Theory course beforehand.
- The RYA Day Skipper Theory course will take your navigation and theory knowledge to the standard required for the practical course. If you are not sure that your sailing is up to speed, a good way is to take our RYA Competent Crew course to learn or refresh your skills.
- Minimum duration: 5 days, 3 weekends or 3 days plus 2 days
- Minimum age: 16
The course syllubus includes: preparation for sea, deck work, navigation, pilotage, meteorology, rules of the road, maintenance and repair work, engines, victualling, emergency situations, yacht handling under power, yacht handling under sail, passage making, night cruising.
Preparing for Sea
- We will supply you with a checklist-at the end of your course!
Working on Deck
- Reefing for prevailing conditions
- Preparing a yacht for anchor
- Berthing alongside buoy, springing off and general boat handling
Navigation on board
- Plotting fixes, using GPS, DR & EP, tidal heights and streams, course to steer, ships log, depth log and lead line
Pilotage
- Leading lines and transits, sounding etc
Weather
- Interpretation of barometer and shipping forecasts, source of forecasts
IRPCS
- Working knowledge
Stocking up
- How to ensure enough of everything required is on board
Emergency
- Must be able to recover an MOB
Emergency equipment
- VHF & distress messaging
- Towing (maybe with a real tow!)
- Helicopter rescue procedures
Fix it!
- Can make minor repairs/impeller change for example
Engines
- Thorough brief on fuel and cooling systems, including routine engine checks
Handling a yacht under power
Handling a yacht under sail
Passage working
- Plan a passage, and undertake it with yacht and crew
Night Cruising
- Now included in the DS syllabus to give day sailors experience of night entries
More advanced boat handling and skippering skills
- Rafting up to another boat
- Sail onto/off your anchor
- Learn new and useful MOB techniques
- Sail setting and trimming skills
- Advanced pilotage including an introduction to CS/YM techniques
- Crew welfare including hygiene on board
- Theory revision on any topics of your choosing
Supporting books for this course:
RYA Day Skipper Practical Course NotesRYA Day Skipper Handbook Sail
The yacht you will be sailing is called “Lookfar”, a Bavaria 44 Cruiser, and is moored in Manoel Island Marina, pontoon D, near the Paparazzi restaurant. She will be ready for you to join at 9:30 am on the first day of the course.
Accommodation onboard during the course can be arranged if needed, usually from Monday to Friday. The accommodation is included in the course price. Sunday evening boarding and Friday night sleep onboard may be possible by agreement.
Some night sailing maybe covered during the course if weather permits. Most of the times, we come back to the home port every day.
From our base in Manoel Island we will be sailing around the Maltese Archipelago including the picturesque sister Islands of Comino and Gozo (if weather permits). There will also be plenty of time to go ashore in the evenings to relax and spend time visiting historical landmarks and having the opportunity of tasting local cuisine.
Great winds in beautiful, sunny surroundings 52 weeks of the year! Join us! You will be made very welcome and will be awarded the RYA Day Skipper Certificate on successful completion of the course.
If you choose for accommodation onboard, full bedding is supplied, sheets, pillows and blankets. Also, we provide towels for use on the yacht but not beach towels. If you should require more than one towel during the week, please do bring your own additional towel.
- Packed lunch
- Sunglasses
- High factor sun cream
- Deck shoes if possible, otherwise soft shoes with a non marking sole, or just barefoot
- Shorts (Please be aware that these are liable to get dirty, so not your bestones!)
- T-Shirts
- Wash Kit
- Fleece or jumper for the evenings and windy days at sea
- Soft bag as opposed to a hard suitcase (we can store luggage if you are staying on)
- Light long sleeved shirt if you need to cover up in the sun
- Baseball/sun hat (preferably with a clip to stop it blowing overboard!)
- Sea sickness tablets should you need them
- Sailing Gloves (if available)
- Phone/ Ipod / lap top chargers – 12V (cigarette style chargers) if needed
- And above all, enthusiasm!
Please note that the temperatures in Malta are normally very warm during the day but it can be cold in the evenings and windy days at sea. It is a good idea to bring a small light rain mac if you have one and also a pair of long trousers and a warm fleece, just in case. Please note that We don't provide wet weather gear onboard.
- Experienced instuctors who speak English as mother tongue.
- Port fees, mooring fees, fuel, tourist tax, and gereral maintenance.
- We will provide teas and coffees, etc. We do not provide alcohol.
- We can have three double cabins and one bunk bed cabin availble for students' accomodation.
- We would sugguest you have some light breakfast in the cafeteria nearby the marina (BusStop Lounge, 200m away) and organise a packed lunch.
- External marina facilities such as showers and toilets are onshore by the marina gate.
- Shops and restaurants are plentiful and all within walking distance. Our base marina is located in the most popular tourist and business area of Malta.
- RYA Day Skipper certificate upon successful completion of the course.
It highly recommended to take RYA Marine Radio VHF course. VHF course will be useful if you want to do chartering in the future, because you are required to hold a VHF certificate for that purpose. The course is designed and created by RYA, and it will be given online. Once you complete the online course, you will have a 30 minutes exam with us during your stay in Malta. Usually it takes 1-2 days to complete. You can do it before, during, or after DSP course.
To book VHF course, simply add it in the Course Booking Page, and we will send you a log-in and instructions after receiving your booking.
If you need a flight to Malta International, the airport code is MLA. There is only one airport in Malta.
On arrival at Malta airport, there is a kiosk at the exit from the airport where you can pre pay the taxi to the boat. The cost of this is usually 25 Euro.The taxi drivers speak good English.
Cheaper transport option would be use taxi app such as: Bolt, Ecab, Cool. There are plenty of taxi connected to these apps.
You will have a short safety brief on arrival to familiarise yourself with the boat and meet your crew mates!
For more details about course, logistics, accommodation, booking, and certificate, please refer to the FAQ's section.
After completing the Day Skipper practical course it is really worthwhile consolidating what you have learnt by completing some more sea miles. This could be achieved by joining our Malta-Sicily Mile Building Trip, or just coming along for another week or weekend of refresher/consolidation training. Following this you should look to join the RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory Course
Next step: RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Theory »