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RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory

Beginner to intermediate  ·  Classroom or online  ·  

5-day classroom £500  ·  Bespoke: contact us

Taking the helm for the first time is a significant step. It demands more than boat-handling skill — you need to understand where you are, where you’re going, what the weather is doing, and how to make sound decisions under pressure. The RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Theory course gives you that foundation.

This is the essential theory qualification for anyone working towards skipperdom — whether under sail or power. It covers chartwork, navigation, tides, meteorology, and seamanship in a structured, progressive format, and directly prepares you for the RYA Day Skipper Practical, Day Skipper Power Practical, or Powerboat Intermediate courses.

Course at a Glance

Level

Beginner to intermediate

Duration

5 days (classroom, 09:00–17:00)  or  

online at your own pace

Format

Classroom at Port Hamble Marina, or online

Who it’s for

Aspiring skippers, sail or power; experienced crew wanting to progress

Prerequisites

None required. Some practical time afloat is helpful.

Class size

Maximum 6 students (classroom). Bespoke 1:1 or small group available.

Price

5-day classroom: £500. Bespoke: contact us.

Certificate

RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate

Who Is This Course For?

The Day Skipper Shorebased Theory course is suitable for a wide range of students:

• Those new to boating who want to build a thorough theoretical grounding before progressing to practical courses.
• Experienced crew — sailors, motorboaters, powerboaters, keelboaters, or coastal rowers — who are ready to step up to the helm.
• Anyone who wants to navigate confidently in familiar tidal and non-tidal waters by day.
• Students planning to continue to the RYA Day Skipper Sail Practical, Day Skipper Power Practical, or Powerboat Intermediate course.

No previous navigation knowledge is required, though some time afloat as crew or passenger will help you put the theory in context.

Classroom or Online?

The full RYA Day Skipper Shorebased syllabus is available in both formats. Choose whichever suits your schedule and learning preference.

Classroom

Five days of instructor-led teaching at Port Hamble Marina, 09:00 to 17:00 each day. We limit classroom numbers to a maximum of six students — well below the RYA’s permitted maximum of twelve — so that each student has a double desk and sufficient space to work with their charts properly. The minimum group size for a scheduled course is three students.

Bespoke courses (1:1, 2:1, or small group) can be arranged on dates that suit you. Contact us to discuss options.

Online

Study at your own pace via the RYA Interactive platform, with full email support from WTS instructors. Your training charts and instruments are posted to you when you book. There is no fixed schedule — work through the material in your own time and contact us whenever you have a question.

Online students complete the same two assessment papers as classroom students. For most students, these do not require formal invigilation. However, if you intend to use the Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate to apply for a Commercial Endorsement, invigilation is required. WTS can arrange this with an RYA Instructor local to you; a fee may apply.

What’s Included

All students receive:

✓ Two RYA Training Charts
✓ RYA Day Skipper Shorebased Certificate on successful completion

Classroom only

✓ Full five-day instructor-led course
✓ Use of plotter and dividers throughout the course
✓ Free parking at Port Hamble Marina
✓ Tea and coffee throughout

Online only

✓ Full access to the RYA Interactive E-Learning platform
✓ Unlimited email support from WTS instructors
✓ Free postage of chart pack and certificate to UK mainland addresses

Not included — classroom: meals or accommodation. Not included — online: plotter and dividers (available to purchase from us); overseas postage (contact us for rates).

What You Will Learn

The RYA Day Skipper Shorebased syllabus provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory underpinning yacht and motorboat navigation. Topics covered include:

• Chartwork: reading and working with nautical charts, symbols, and publications.
• Position fixing: determining your position using traditional and electronic methods.
• Tides: understanding tidal patterns, heights, and their effect on navigation.
• Passage planning: planning a coastal passage from start to finish.
• Pilotage: navigating safely in and out of harbours and confined waters.
• Meteorology: interpreting weather forecasts and understanding how weather affects passage planning.
• Collision regulations (IRPCS): the rules of the road at sea.
• Seamanship: practical knowledge of anchoring, buoyage, and vessel safety.
• Electronic navigation: GPS, chart plotters, and their role alongside traditional methods.

Where Does This Course Lead?

The Day Skipper Shorebased Theory course is the recognised theory component for the following practical qualifications:

• RYA Day Skipper Sail Practical
• RYA Day Skipper Power Practical
• RYA Powerboat Intermediate

Completing the shorebased theory before the practical course is strongly recommended. Students who arrive with a solid theoretical grounding get significantly more from their time on the water.

Book Your Place

Scheduled five-day classroom courses run regularly from Port Hamble Marina. Bespoke dates for individuals or small groups can be arranged year-round. Online access can be set up quickly once you book.

To book, enquire about bespoke options, or ask a question, contact us at info@whitetipsailing.com or visit whitetipsailing.com.

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