RYA training, coaching and milebuilding
RYA Day Skipper
The RYA Day Skipper course gives you the skills and confidence to take charge of a yacht and crew in a safe, organised, and structured way. For many sailors, it’s the biggest step: moving from crew to skipper — from following instructions to giving them, and taking full responsibility for everyone on board.
The training week focuses on putting your navigation theory into practice, mastering harbour manoeuvres, handling emergencies, and managing your crew effectively. For which the Canary Islands, and specially Lanzarote, offer a great and efficient sailing ground.
On successful completion, you’ll earn the internationally recognised RYA Day Skipper certificate — proof that you are ready to skipper a yacht safely and competently and enabling you to charter yachts worldwide.
The syllabus
•Engine know-how
Change filters, replace pump impellers, and bleed a fuel system — keeping the engine operating, fix small, common problems.
•Victualling
Provision a yacht effectively for your crew and planned passage.
•Emergency skillsTake charge in emergencies: from man overboard recovery to using flares, launching a liferaft, securing a tow, and even coordinating helicopter rescue. Practice VHF radio distress calls so you’re ready if the worst happens.
•Yacht handling
Manoeuvre confidently under both sail and power.
Berth alongside, anchor, or pick up a buoy in a variety of wind and tide conditions. Steer and trim sails efficiently on all points.
•Passage making
Plan and lead a coastal passage, considering crew strength, boat limits, and navigational hazards.
•Night sailing
Experience the unique challenge and magic of sailing after dark.
•Life as skipper
Take responsibility for the boat and crew, balancing safety, decision-making, and teamwork while keeping everything running smoothly on deck and below.⸻
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•Preparing for sea
Get a yacht ready for departure: from engine checks and sail choice to securing and stowing equipment safely.
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•Deck skills
Take charge of sail handling — reefing, shaking out reefs, and changing sails to suit the conditions. Lead the crew in mooring, anchoring, and casting off confidently.
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•Navigation in practice
Put your theory to work: plot fixes, use electronic navigation, calculate tidal heights and streams, and plan accurate courses that account for wind, tide, and drift. Keep reliable logs and use depth sounders and traditional methods too.
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•Pilotage
Create and execute safe pilotage plans for harbour entry and departure, using transits, leading lines, and landmarks to guide the way.
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•Weather
Understand shipping forecasts, make use of forecasts at sea, and read the barometer to anticipate changes.
•Rules of the road
Apply the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea to keep your yacht and crew safe in busy waters.
•Practical maintenance
Carry out routine yacht maintenance and learn the uses of ropes and rigging. Keep the boat running smoothly and deal with common issues at sea.
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Who can join:
Before you can start the practical Dayskipper course you need:
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to be familiar with the Competent Crew syllabus
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be able to sail
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to have a deep knowledge of the RYA Dayskipper theory and know how to apply the navigation theory
PLUS:
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have a reasonable level of physical fitness (able to step on and off the boat unassisted)
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can communicate in English at conversational level and read/write English confidently.
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are easy to get along with (you have to share your living space on fewer square meters than EU prison regulations allow)
Course details
Course Duration: from Saturday 16.00 till Saturday 09.00 - 6 days on the water, 7 nights onboard
Student Number: 4 (day-) skipper students max
Price: starting at €1250, including breakfast, lunch and beverages onboard, marina fees, fuel and use of bedding and lifejacket.
Availability: check the <calendar> under "RYA and Skipper training"
Your instructor: Richard van der Veen
The boat: a comfortable and fast Salona 45 with 4 double cabins and 2 heads (toilet/showers)
Home port: Marina Lanzarote, Arrecife
