Build the knowledge behind confident skippering.
Learn the essential navigation, seamanship and decision-making skills that form the foundation of competent skippering. This shorebased RYA theory course prepares you for practical sailing, cruises and chartering with confidence.
What Will You Learn?
Over 40 hours of instruction (either over a five-day classroom course or online at your own pace), the RYA Day Skipper Theory course gives you a comprehensive base of sailing knowledge including key topics every skipper should understand:
- Coastal navigation and pilotage fundamentals
- Chartwork and use of electronic charts
- Position fixing and plotting a course to steer
- Weather forecasting and meteorology
- Collision Regulations (COLREGs) and safety at sea
- Seamanship essentials and nautical terminology
- Practical pilotage and buoyage principles
You’ll work with charts, publications and plotting tools to master skills needed for confident passage planning and safe decision-making on the water.
Read the full RYA syllabus
Our student instructor ratio is a maximum of 6:1. This allows us to give you maximum individual attention and for our instructors to create a bespoke classroom experience for each and every one of our students.
Who Is This Course For?
The RYA Day Skipper Theory is designed for sailors who want to think like a skipper before they take the helm:
- You’ve done some sailing and want to navigate and make decisions confidently
- You charter yachts or want to qualify to skipper for friends and family
- You prefer understanding why things are done, not just how
You don’t need to be an expert—this course suits both aspiring skippers and experienced crew who want to deepen their knowledge.
Pre-Requisites
- Some practical experience is desirable, but not essential
Price and Availability
Typically delivered over five days in a shorebased format at our Antigua location or you can also complete the RYA Day Skipper Theory online for flexibility before joining practical courses.
Price:
- Classroom version: USD $1,520 per person
- Online version: USD $499 per person
You can find the availability on our online booking platform here. If you don’t see the dates you want, contact us and we may be able to move course around or put you on the waiting list for your specific dates.
At Second Star Sailing, we require you to complete the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course before undertaking the RYA Day Skipper Practical, so you arrive confident and ready to apply your knowledge on the water.
What to Do Next?
Follow theory with RYA Day Skipper Practical for recognition accepted by charter companies worldwide.
Add RYA Marine Radio (SRC) for commercial or charter readiness.
We also offer a number of specialist subject courses including RYA Diesel Engine, RYA Sea Survival, RYA Radar and RYA First Aid to give you the key knowledge and skills to be safe, confident and independent on the water.
