Which Leisure Course?

If you have no on the water experience we recommend that before you undertake any theory courses you try the RYA Start Yachting or Competent Crew if you are interested in learning to sail or the Powerboat Level 1 & 2 if you are interested in learning about being on ribs or small motor boats or try going out on friends boats.

The two day or online RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship course is ideal if you want to get more involved in the navigation on board. It assumes no knowledge and at the end of the course you will be able to read and understand a chart, plot positions and bearings and have a good understanding of tides.

If you wish to go straight to RYA Coastal skipper / Yachtmaster Theory you need to be able to:

• plot positions onto a paper chart
• plot bearings on a paper chart with either a Portland plotter or parallel rule
• plot an estimated position taking into the effect of tidal streams.
• plot a course to steer onto a paper chart taking into account the effect of tidal streams
• work out the relevant hour for tidal streams and to know how to use tidal diamonds and the tidal stream atlas
• work out tidal heights at a standard port using the tidal heights curve in an almanac
• To be reasonably familiar with the collision regulations.

If you are not comfortable in being able to complete the above we would recommend that you start with the RYA Day Skipper Theory Course

You will usually need to have the ICC (international Certificate of competence) which you can get by completing an application form to the RYA once you have the RYA Day Skipper Theory & Practical certificates.

One person on board will also need to have the RYA VHF SRC Radio Operators Certificate which can be obtained by completing the online or one day RYA VHF SRC Radio course.

In the UK the level of qualification you require will depend on the difficulty of the waters you wish to sail in. As a minimum you will usually need the RYA Day Skipper Theory and Practical certificate, though you may also be required to have the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Theory and RYA Coastal Skipper practical.

One person on board will also need to have the RYA VHF SRC Radio Operators Certificate which can be obtained by completing the online or one day RYA VHF SRC Radio course.

In the UK legally you only need to have the RYA VHF SRC Operators Certificate which you can get by completing the one day RYA VHF SRC Radio Course. However we strongly recommend that you complete either the RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship Course if you are staying within sheltered waters or the RYA Day Skipper Theory if you intend to go further afield.

You may also find the RYA Diesel Engine Course useful

If you have little or no navigation experience then the RYA Day Skipper Theory course is ideal. It will teach you how to read charts, plot positions, bearings, tides, collision regulations and much more. If you have some knowledge the RYA Coastal Skipper /Yachtmaster Theory Course may be more appropriate.

The online or two day RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship course is an ideal course as it will give you a good understanding of charts, tides and basic navigation as well as important safety considerations.

Click here for the MCA Manning Scale & Qualifications required if operating a power vessel commercially.

The two day or online RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship course is a useful course as it will give you an understanding of tides and basic navigation.

We would also recommend that you carry a handheld VHF radio with you, in which case you need to have the RYA VHF SRC operators certificate which you can get by completing either the online or one day RYA VHF SRC Radio Course.

The online or two day RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship course is an ideal course as it will give you a good understanding of charts, tides and basic navigation.