DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL
A fun, safe level 2 yacht sailing course that teaches you how to skipper a yacht and earns you the RYA Day Skipper qualification.
Introduction
The RYA Day Skipper practical course teaches you how to skipper a yacht, and is the certificate you need to be allowed to charter a yacht. It’s a big step up but tremendous fun. You will learn to navigate, develop boat handling skills in a marina, including docking skills, and you’ll skipper your first short passages.
You’ll start to learn much more about how to manage the yacht safely, how to trim sails and what to do if conditions deteriorate while you are out on the water. As part of this, you will experience a night sail and various challenges that come with that. You’ll learn about basic weather forecasts, engine checks and passage planning.
Holders of the Day Skipper practical certificate can gain an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) without any further training or assessment.
Previous experience required
Basic sailing ability and knowledge of navigation to the level of RYA Day Skipper theory.SUMMARY
Duration
5 days (Mon - Fri) or two weekends
location
Ría de Vigo, NW Spain. Based in Monte Real Club Yates Baiona.
Price
850€
You spend the full course living on the yacht, with all meals provided. One of the expert Julio Verne Nautica instructors will work through the full syllabus with you, covering everything you need to know to be a competent and useful crew member on any future yachts you sail on.
A training holiday
Each day, you will sail to somewhere new, visiting the wonderful harbours and anchorages of the Rias Baixas. You will finish each day both on the mainland and on beatiful anchorages, and there’s usually the chance to head into one of the local pubs for a well earned beer and chat about the day’s training.
In the best place to learn to sail
The Rias are easily one of the best sailing areas in the world, with their great variety of locations, sheltered waters, gentle tides and lots of fishing boats on the move. As we described in our overview of the Rías Baixas, this is really the only place to learn to sail.
- Move from crew to skippering a yacht
- Navigation, short passages & some night sailing
- Lots of marina handling skills
- The certificate you need to charter a yacht
Safety is absolutely paramount when heading out onto the water. You will be training on top class yachts with the latest safety equipment, fully inspected by the maritime authorities every year.
90% of crew join solo, so these are excellent courses if you are coming alone. There is nearly always a 50:50 mix of men and women, of all ages. It’s a small, fun group of like-minded people, all working toward the same goal.
You can expect 4 other crew on board, giving a maximum of five.
- Warm clothes including hat, scarf, gloves and thermal underwear.
- Sleeping bag
- Polarised sunglasses
- Sun block
- Wash kit
- Towel
- Flip flops (great for shower blocks)
- Swimming gear
- Phone charger
- Sailing boots and some deck shoes or non-marking trainers
Everything must be packed into a soft holdall that can be rolled away
- All meals and snacks on board
- Life jackets
- All mooring fees
What’s not Included
- Sleeping bag
- Two evening meals ashore
- Waterproof boots
- Oilskins
The Day Skipper course teaches pilotage, navigation, seamanship and boat handling up to the required standard to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar.
Preparation for sea
- Is able to prepare a yacht for sea, including engine checks, selection of sails, securing and stowage of all gear on deck and below.
Deck Work
- Can reef, shake out reefs and change sails to suit prevailing conditions
- Can prepare an anchor, mooring warps and take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring, weighing anchor and slipping from a buoy or alongside berth.
Navigation
- Is proficient in chartwork and routine navigational duties on passage including: Taking and plotting visual fixes Use of electronic navigation equipment for position fixing
- Use of waypoints
- Working up to DR and EP
- Estimating tidal heights and tidal streams
- Working out course to steer to allow for tidal stream, leeway and drift
- Knowledge of IALA buoyage
- Maintenance of navigational records
- Use of echo sounder and lead line
Pilotage
- Can prepare and execute a pilotage plan for entry into, or departure from, harbour
- Understands the use of leading and clearing lines
- Use of transits and surroundings as aids to pilotage
Meteorology
- Knows sources of forecast information
- Can interpret shipping forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid
Rule of the road
- Has a working knowledge of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
Maintenance and repair work
- Understands and is able to carry out maintenance tasks
- Knows the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes
Engines
- Knows how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and to bleed the fuel system
Victualling
- Understands how to victual a yacht
Emergency situations
- Is able to take correct action as skipper for recovery of casualty overboard
- Understands distress flares and how to use a liferaft
- Can operate a radiotelephone in an emergency and send a distress message
- Understands how to secure a tow
- Understands rescue procedures including helicopter rescue
Yacht handling under power
- Can bring a boat safely to and from an alongside berth, mooring buoy and anchor under various conditions of wind and tide
- Can steer and trim sails effectively on all points of sailing
Passage making
- Can plan and make a coastal passage, taking account of relevant navigational hazards and limitations imposed by the type of boat and the strength of the crewx
Night cruising
- Has experienced sail cruising at night, including leaving and entering harbour.
- Understands the special consideration for pilotage plans, keeping a lookout and identifying marks by night.
Seasickness
- Working efficiency is unaffected/partially affected/severely affected by seasickness
Helmsmanship and sailing
- Understands the basic principles of sailing and can steer and trim sails on all points of sailing
- Can steer a compass course, under sail and power
General duties
- Has carried out general duties satisfactorily on deck and below decks in connection with the daily routine of the vessel
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ANY OF OUR COURSES?
FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS
n order to provide you with all the information that we can offer you, you can find in this section the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What time does my sailing course start and finish?
Start: 1830hrs on Friday and Sunday
Finish: 1600hrs on Friday and Sunday (approximate time)
Do I need insurance?
No, Julio Verne Nautica has full public liability insurance.
Travel and personal property insurance recomended.
Where will be sail to?
You will be sailing in the Rias baixas, which is one of the best training grounds available. You may visit some of the well-known harbours and anchorages as Islas Atlanticas National Park.
Will we get off the boat?
Most nights you can jump off the boat to stretch your legs asore and enjoy Spanish hospitality ashore. Some nights we may be at a quiet anchorage.
How many students will there be on the boat?
We take a maximum of 5 students per boat.
Will I be cooking?
Part of learning to sail is learning how to live aboard a yacht. All chores, including cooking, are shared equally between all students and the instructor. Don’t worry – there’s a set menu and lots of help at hand!
Will I be sharing a cabin?
It may be necessary for you to share a cabin. Couples and friends will normally share. If you come to a course alone, there is a possibility that you will have to share a cabin, but only with someone of the same sex.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
We can accommodate basic dietary requirements such as vegetarians and minor food allergies. If you have any concerns, please check with us before booking.
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