RYA Day Skipper Weekend

Description

To gain the RYA Day Skipper qualification you will need to complete three weekends (3x2 days) for a total of 40hrs active training - incluing 4 night hours (pilotage / harbour entry).

Our experienced instructor will guide you and your fellow crew members through the course in a friendly and relaxed manner.  You will practice your skills as a skipper making decisions about what to do for activities and briefing/guiding the crew accordingly.

We will aim to complete a simulated coastal passage off the coast of Port Jackson and return in evening with a night entry and pilotage back to a safe mooring.

This course is optional for "liveaboard", you are welcome to stay on the yacht (with instructor) for a fully imnmewrcsive expereince.  Or come ashore each evening should you desire.

By the end of the course, you will have the skills and technical knowledge to skipper a small yacht with confidence.

Course content

• Yacht preparation and deck work.
• Engine checks, sail selection, stowage.
• Understands how to victual a yacht.
• Reef and change sails to suit prevailing conditions.
• Take charge on deck when mooring alongside, coming to a buoy, anchoring.
• Navigation and pilotage, night pilotage
• Chartwork, taking and plotting visual fixes.
• GPS position fixing, waypoints, routes.
• Log keeping, working up DR and EP
• Tidal heights, tidal streams, course to steer.
• IALA buoyage, pilotage plans, transits, echo sounder, leading, and clearing lines.  
• Meteorology and rules of the road
• Understand sources of forecast information
• Interpret weather forecasts and use a barometer as a forecasting aid.
• Learn the basics of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
• Engines and maintenance 
• Learn the properties and uses of common synthetic fibre ropes. 
• Overview of how to change fuel and water filters, pump impeller and bleed the fuel system.
• Emergency situations – MOPB, Flares, and life rafts, distress message , Towing and Helicopter rescue
• Yacht handling and passage making.
• Steer and trim sails on all points.
• Steer to a compass.
• Plan and make a short coastal passage. 
• General duties in connection with the daily routine of the vessel.

Locations and Sailing Conditions

You will sail around Sydney Harbour and close coastal waters, which provides a fabulous training ground at this level.  We plan the detailed itinerary on the first day to take the best advantage of the weather.  The sailing conditions are generally excellent, alternating between warm 'Nor-easter' sea breezes and cool, fresh Southerlies.

The yacht and the instructor

This course will be run onboard our Beneteau 40.7 cruiser-racer yachts by an accredited RYA Instructor. You and your fellow students participate in all aspects of running the boat.

What's Included

• Tuition – logbook and pre-course reading.
• Safety Equipment - Life jackets and safety harnesses.
• Meals - we provide some basics (tea, coffee, and water) and evening meals / light breakfast for overnight passages.
• Qualification-  RYA Day Skipper Practical certificate
• Seatime - 150 sea miles logged.

What to Bring

• Personal Gear - appropriate sailing / outdoor gear for the conditions - Soft sole shoes (wear always), rain / wet weather gear, gloves, hat, swimmers
• Meals - BYO Lunch and snacks.
• Overnight - Sleeping bag, pillow slip, personal care. (if required)

Before you start

You have spent at least one week on a sailing yacht and are confident as a crew member under supervision.  

You have completed the RYA Day Skipper shore-based course or similar.  You understand the basics of pilotage and are familiar with navigation using paper charts and electronic instruments.

What next?

We suggest you also hold a First Aid certificate and a Marine Radio Licence.  The course qualifies you for application of an ICC.  Your next Atlas Sailing course should be RYA Coastal Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster Shore-based Theory.