RYA Coastal Skipper
The ideal progression after Day Skipper. Build confidence for longer, more complex passages including night sailing, watch-keeping systems, and heavy weather handling on coastal and offshore routes.
RYA Coastal Skipper is the ideal qualification to follow RYA Day Skipper. It may also form a bridge to a MCA/RYA Yachtmaster™ examination. It's designed to give a more experienced skipper the confidence to undertake longer and more complex passages which may involve sailing at night or involve watch-keeping systems.
Skippering a yacht on coastal and offshore passages demands strong navigation, seamanship and leadership skills. During the RYA Coastal Skipper course your instructor will guide you through navigation (both offshore and in limited visibility), weather forecasting and passage planning, watch keeping, preparation for sea and handling heavy weather.
You will put this all into practice as you plan and execute passages whilst in complete command of the yacht. Coastal skippers must be good boat handlers and you will receive plenty of practice mooring the yacht and experience night sailing. Weather permitting you will also undertake a longer coastal passage.
Achieving your RYA Coastal Skipper certificate is an accomplishment ideal for anyone who wants to further their training, especially to tackle more challenging coastal passages.
Pre-Course Experience Required
- 15 days sailing
- 2 days as skipper
- 300 miles logged
- 8 hours night sailing
What You'll Learn
- Passage planning
- Preparation for sea
- Pilotage by day and night
- Passage making and skipper abilities
- Yacht handling under power
- Yacht handling under sail
- Adverse weather conditions
- Emergency situations
Detailed Syllabus
Passage Planning
- Plan a coastal passage including consideration of yacht capability
- Navigation, victualling, weather, ports of refuge
- Tidal heights and tidal streams
- Publications required and strategy
- Customs procedures
Preparation for Sea
- Safety equipment required for offshore passages
- Prepare a yacht for sea including stowage, safety briefing
- Watch keeping, delegating responsibilities
- Equipment and engine checks
Pilotage
- Prepare a pilotage plan with consideration of surroundings
- Transits, clearing bearings, buoyage
- Port or harbour regulations and tidal considerations
- Pilot a yacht by day and night
Passage Making and Ability as Skipper
- Take charge of a yacht and direct the crew
- Organise navigation, deckwork, and domestic duties
- Significance of meteorological trends
- Crew welfare on passage
- Use electronic navigational equipment for planning
- Waypoints and routes
Yacht Handling Under Power
- Control the yacht effectively in a confined space under power
- All berthing and unberthing situations
- Various conditions of wind and tide
Yacht Handling Under Sail
- Use sails to control the yacht in a confined space
- Anchoring and mooring in various conditions
- Sail efficiently on all points of sailing
Adverse Weather Conditions
- Preparation for heavy weather
- Yacht handling in strong winds
- Navigation and general conduct in restricted visibility
Emergency Situations
- Recovery of man overboard under power and sail
- Action to be taken when abandoning to the liferaft
- Helicopter and lifeboat rescues
After the Course
You will have the knowledge and ability to skipper a yacht safely and confidently on coastal cruises. Combined with further experience, this qualification prepares you for the Yachtmaster™ examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What experience do I need?
You need 15 days, 300 miles, and 8 night hours logged. Day Skipper practical and theory, or equivalent experience, is expected.
What does the course cover?
The course builds on Day Skipper with more advanced passage planning, pilotage, yacht handling in close quarters and adverse conditions, and skippering responsibilities. You will plan and execute passages as skipper.
Do I stay on the yacht overnight?
Yes — you live on board for the full five days. Night sailing and passages are a core part of the syllabus.
Is Coastal Skipper assessed or examined?
The practical course is continuously assessed by your instructor. There is no separate exam — your instructor will assess your competence throughout the five days.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We sail in most weather conditions — handling challenging conditions is a key part of this course. Your instructor may adjust the passage plan as needed.
What if I need to cancel?
Please see our terms and conditions for our cancellation policy. We understand plans can change and will always try to move you to an alternative date where possible.