RYA Day Skipper Theory
Classroom Course
The RYA Day Skipper theory course involves 40 hours of tuition. As a beginner level course it covers the basic theory you need to know to navigate safely on short tidal passages by day. It's the required level of theory knowledge for the 5-day, Day Skipper practical course.
Bay Sea School teach two Day Skipper theory courses each winter. The first is on Sundays in the autumn, with a second course on Saturdays in the new year. Classes are held in spacious facilities at a local school, just 10 mins from junction 34 on the M6 motorway.
What's Special About Bay Sea School?
The course is delivered by the award-winning RYA 'Instructor of the Year'. John is no ordinary RYA theory instructor. He's a Yachtmaster Instructor and Examiner. That's top notch in the RYA Instructor world! So if experience, quality instruction and depth of knowledge are important to you, don't miss John's next classroom Day Skipper theory course. Deirdre assists John with the class. She's an RYA shore-based instructor & professional violin teacher too!
Extra Online Facility
When you choose Bay Sea School you'll have access to John's unique online study feature. There are explanatory videos to remind you of some of the key things you'll learn each week and extra exercises if you want more practice. John's available during the week by phone and email to answer any questions during your course.
What do I need?
The RYA course pack and certificate is included in the course price. You'll need to provide your own writing equipment, notebook, pair of dividers & Portland course plotter. Scroll to the bottom of this page for links to buy the plotter and divider kit.
Optional Online Preparatory Course
With the 'Essential Navigation & Seamanship' course you'll get a free plotter and dividers with your RYA course pack! It's a short online introduction to many of the topics covered in more depth on the day skipper theory course. You can get started learning about navigation right now. Day Skipper theory covers a huge amount of material & moves on quickly to cover it all. Many people really appreciate getting a head-start on this short introductory course. They like the free plotter & dividers too!
Day Skipper course topics include:
The basic knowledge required for short passages by day, use of both traditional and electronic navigation, position fixing, estimated position, planning a course to steer, tidal streams & tidal heights, weather, navigation buoys, collision regulations, emergency & safety equipment, making a VHF distress call on real radios, flares, life-jackets, life-rafts and much more!
Can I do the course online?
Yes, but we choose not to offer it at Bay Sea School. We strongly recommend the classroom delivery of this course for your best chance of success. You get to meet other sailors too, which makes for a broader learning experience. Having great instructors certainly helps as well!
"What an amazing course and instructor...
John Parlane thank you for sharing your expertise and for your patience." Justine 2017
Feedback from our clients suggests they prefer having more time between classes than is possible with the intensive options of every day for 5 days or three consecutive weekends. If you work full-time & have family life to juggle as well, you'll appreciate the extra time to absorb what you learn each class. We want the journey from beginner to day skipper to be an enjoyable and rewarding one for you.
Want a Day Skipper refresher?
"If you don't use it, you'll lose it" is an all too familiar saying. If it's several years since your Day Skipper Theory course or if you're struggling with aspects of an online course, why not treat yourself this winter to a new Day Skipper classroom course with John?
'Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore' Theory
You don't have to attend a Day Skipper practical course before moving on with your navigation knowledge. Day Skipper theory is a beginner level course. So it doesn't cover everything you need to know. That's where the 'Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore' theory course comes in. It's another 40 hour course. You use your day skipper theory tools to plan longer passages by night & day. If you're sailing in UK waters, you'll definitely need this level of knowledge to stay safe! Our Day Skippers frequently ask questions about longer passages and tides that fall between the averages. These are some of the gaps filled in on the improver course 'Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore' theory.
Private Day Skipper courses & coaching
These can be arranged throughout the year though are a more costly option than the class. John has more availability in the winter months mid-week outside of the sailing season. Please get in touch for more details.
| 6-Day Course Dates | Start Time | Places Left |
| We hope to run a classroom theory course in the autumn subject to the COVID 19 situation. Please join our mailing list to be the first to hear about new course dates. There's a sign-up form on the home page. | 9.30 am | |
| 9.30 am |
Click here for course joining instructions
What our clients say about a Day Skipper Theory course with us
"I’m so enjoying the course with you, you are a fantastic, knowledge, patient and calm person and I really appreciate the effort to go to make us feel welcome and at ease with you and each other."
"Outstanding!"
"I've enjoyed every minute"
"Quality of instruction was fantastic. Very enjoyable course"
"John was brilliant, very informative and very easy to learn from."
"Excellent. I've learnt a tremendous amount and will hopefully go on to further courses with this instructor"
"What am I going to do now? I'm going to miss going there each week. I've got to wait till April until I can start my actual sailing, Can't wait!"
"Just completed my Day Skipper theory course with John Parlane at Bay Sea School. John and Dierdre are an absolute delight. John is extremely knowledgeable and has great teaching skills, he was very patient. I travelled a hundred miles each Sunday to do my course. Learnt a lot. Laughed a lot and made great friends. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending people to do their theory courses here."
"When I felt overwhelmed or something just wasn't taking, your patience and understanding was over and above ! I cannot recommend or praise you and Deirdre enough and will spread the word as much as I can. It's very unusual to find someone so knowledgeable who also has the gift to get it across in the right way. At Bay Sea School you have this in oodles! A life changing experience for me so thank you." - Dave
