Choosing a Seamanship Theory Course - Dayskipper or Yachtmaster, which one is right for you?
Choosing the right theory course can be both confusing and overwhelming, with many different factors to consider. It is important to take into account your own experience and knowledge, what you hope to achieve with the course as well as the time frame and your ability to learn.
Below are brief outlines for each of our seamanship and navigation theory courses to help you decide which one is for you. Whether you're new to boating or an experienced skipper there'll be a course for you to learn navigational skills, or just refresh your skills and knowledge, and maybe gain new skills along the way. Taking these courses are the best way to prevent incidents at sea - Our courses help you to stay safe so you can have fun.
Too many lifeboat call outs are preventable, caused by basic engine failure or an inexperienced skipper. Taking any one of these courses will help you cruise further, faster, better and most importantly safer than before. Our advice is always to get qualified, and get experience. If you don't own a boat, try out our Crewing Service and gain experience and advice from any one of our skippers. If you have any questions about the courses listed here or which course is right for you, contact us.
- Yachtmaster Offshore/Coastal Skipper
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to cruising for the inexperienced skipper. You will gain enough knowledge to navigate familiar waters as well as an introduction to night sailing and lights. This course has been updated to provide you with a knowledge of the standard technology of most cruising vessels.
Course topics include:
- The basics of seamanship
- The essentials of coastal navigation and pilotage
- Chartwork electronic charts position fixing plotting a course to steer
- Weather forecasting and meteorology
- Tides
- Collision regulations
- Construction, parts and equipment of a cruising boat
- Emergency and safety procedures including distress calls,use of flares, safety harnesses, lifejackets and liferafts
Yachtmaster Offshore / Coastal Skipper
This course is ideal for more experienced boaters, you don't have to have taken the dayskipper to do it but you should be familiar with the topics covered by the dayskipper course. The Yachtmaster builds on the skills gained in the Dayskipper to a more detailed level to enable you to cope with plain sailing and motor cruising as well as the ability to deal with the most challenging circumstances.
Course topics include: This course is the most advanced theory course and is ideal for those aspiring to blue water cruising. The course is suited to those who hold the Yachtmaster Offshore / Coastal Skipper certificate who are planning their first ocean passage. The course includes astro-navigation, use of a sextant, worldwide tidal patterns and meteorology and use of electronic navigation aids and much more. Planning the next big trip? This course is essential! Practical Elements: The courses above all comprise a practical element. If you are interested in practical courses, please contact us. position fixing course shaping and plotting tidal knowledge use of almanacs and admiralty publications electronic position finding equipment taking and interpreting forecasts plotting weather systems weather predictions using a barometer and by observation collision regulations customs and excise regulations for cruising abroad
