RYA Dayskipper Practical - 5 Day Sailing Course - Exmouth WA

Previous experience needed: - Theory knowledge to RYA Dayskipper Theory course level and practical sailing skills to RYA Competent Crew level, (recommended 5 days sea time, 100 miles, 4 night hours)

The aim of this course is to teach practical skippering and sailing techniques to allow you to feel confident to skipper a cruising yacht.  The RYA Dayskipper qualification is internationally recognised and essential if you are planning to charter a yacht for a holiday as you will also be eligible for the ICC.

What will I learn?

Each student will be given the opportunity to skipper and navigate the yacht on a short passage. Your instructor is there to ensure that your first steps as skipper are taken in safety

During the week you will learn how to prepare the yacht to go to sea, carry out all forms of deck work, practice your navigation and pilotage skills, take 3 point fixes, plot a course to steer, try your hand at dead reckoning and estimating your position, work out tidal heights to anchor safely and carry out engine checks as well as learning to be responsible for the well being of the yacht and crew. 

A big part of the Dayskipper Practical course is boat handling under power and sail, and time will be spent practicing how to control the yacht in close quarters in the marina, berthing alongside, berthing in the pen and Mediterranean style mooring techniques. You will learn how to anchor safely and pick up mooring buoys. You will also learn the correct actions to take in emergency situations such as man overboard recovery, towing and helicopter rescue and get to experience sailing at night.

What is the programme for a typical 5 day sailing course?

You arrive at the yacht for a 9 am start on the first day and the instructor will be there to welcome you, show you around the yacht and give you a safety brief.  Then it is out into the harbour to try your hand at steering the yacht before heading out into the Exmouth Gulf to hoist the sails.  During the week, the days will be spent sailing around the Exmouth Gulf area, towards the Muiron Islands and Serrurier Island.  We can also sail around Cape Vlamingh. Lunchtime can be spent on a mooring or we can drop anchor, and there is always time for a swim.  Evenings are spent either in the marina, on a mooring or at anchor and one evening we will be out on the water for a few hours to experience sailing at night.

What do I get?

You will receive a complimentary RYA logbook and on successful completion of the course, you will be awarded the RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate which is recognised worldwide and can be used when chartering yachts. With an RYA Dayskipper Practical certificate, you are able to apply directly for the ICC.

What do I need to bring?

The course includes accommodation onboard and all meals and we will send you a copy of our joining instructions when you book.  These tell you what to bring and where our yacht is located. Click on the following link to see joining instructions

Is there anything I need to do before the course?

The RYA Dayskipper Practical course does require that you have either completed the RYA Dayskipper Theory course or have equivalent knowledge and have practical sailing skills to RYA Competent Crew level, 

Please check out the Aspiring Dayskipper package if you need to do the Dayskipper Theory course or the Complete Dayskipper package if you are new to sailing.

This course can also be completed over three weekends, please contact us for this option.

Sailing courses operate with a maximum of 5 students and one instructor.

Next step: - RYA Coastal / Yachtmaster Theory then RYA Coastal Skipper Practical

Contact us on 0412 060 130 or email sailing@oceanwest.net.au