Am I ready for an RYA Day Skipper Course?
Most charter companies in the UK and Mediterranean (and further afield) sensibly require their customers to have the ability to handle the yachts they charter to them. In most cases, this means the charterer must hold an RYA Day Skipper Qualification and/or an International Certificate of Competence (ICC). The former qualifies you to apply for the latter, so a Day Skipper ticket is the sensible first goal for the competent crew with limited sailing experience.
The RYA Day Skipper Course is run over a minimum of 5 days (4 days for RYA Day Skipper Motor). The student is examined by their instructor by way of continual assessment throughout the week. There is quite a lot to cover and so we strongly recommend that all candidates first study for the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course.
Strictly speaking, the RYA set some basic requirements for those wishing to be assessed for the RYA Day Skipper qualification. These requirements set out that before you start the course you should have a minimum of 100 sailing miles logged and no less than 4 hours must be sailed at night. There is an assumed knowledge of basic navigation and helmsmanship which can best be achieved by undertaking an RYA Competetent Crew Course and an RYA Day Skipper Theory Course previously.
Here at Palma Sea School we see a wide range of competence exhibited by new students joining our RYA Day Skipper Courses. We will work with our students to improve their seamanship and sailing skills throughout the week.
To establish whether you are ready for the RYA Day Skipper Course and assessment, feel free to call us and chat with one of our experienced RYA Instructors.