RYA Sailing Courses Explained
|
Beginner Crew Skills |
Intermediate Skipper Skills |
Advanced Coaching |
Expert Mastery |
|---|---|---|---|
| RYA Competent Crew | RYA Day Skipper | RYA Coastal Skipper | RYA Yachtmaster |
About the
Royal Yachting Association
The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is globally recognized and trusted by sailors seeking internationally credible certifications.
Known for its structured training system and meticulous quality standards, it’s a solid choice for anyone planning to sail worldwide.
With a heritage dating back to 1875, the RYA has long set — and continually refines — the benchmark for sailing education. Its programs evolve with modern technology, safety practices, and the changing needs of today’s sailors, keeping every qualification relevant, rigorous, and respected.
From Competent Crew and Day Skipper to Coastal Skipper and the prestigious Yachtmaster, RYA sailing cruising courses have become synonymous with sailing education itself — the pathway trusted by sailors everywhere.
The RYA maintains a strong global presence, particularly across Europe, Australia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. While training options are fewer in the Americas, it remains the gold standard for structured, internationally recognized training.
Not sure which sailing course is right for you?
RYA Sailing Courses Progression Explained
Learn all you need to know about each RYA sailing cruising course below:
Competent Crew
The RYA Competent Crew is a beginner level course that introduces you to cruising while preparing you to be a safe and valuable crew member on a cruising yacht. It is ideal for beginners looking to develop safety, seamanship, and helming skills, laying the foundations for the Day Skipper course.
Beginner
Skill level
5+ Days
Duration
None
Prerequisites
Crewing
Enables
👉 Who is it for?
- Complete beginners with little to no sailing experience.
- Recommended minimum age: 12
📚 How to Prepare?
This course requires no required preparation. However, if you want to feel more ready, we suggest:
- Flip through the RYA Competent Crew Handbook
- Learn the one knot to rule them all: Round turn and two half hitches
- Get familiar with basic boat terms like bow, stern, starboard, port, shrouds etc.
While no theory course is required, some students like to get a head start by taking the online Essential Navigation & Seamanship course.
It’s an enjoyable, entry-level introduction to charts, tides, and seamanship — a perfect way to arrive feeling prepared and confident.
⛵ What to Expect?
- You’ll learn and practice sailing, steering, sail handling, mooring, ropework, and safety drills like man overboard – all from the perspective of a crew.
- You’ll learn by doing. There is no final exam, but instead regular feedback supporting your learning throughout. If you put in the work, it is unlikely you won’t pass.
- You’ll live aboard for at least 5 days — typically on a 30–45 foot sailing yacht. That means close quarters: you might share a bunk, cook meals together, and share domestic duties.
- Expect at least 100 nautical miles of sailing and 4 hours of night navigation if weather allows.
🗺️ What does it Enable you to do?
Upon course completion, you will have:
- The confidence to step onto a yacht as a crew member, and know how to be helpful, safe, and ready to learn more.
- A solid foundation for Day Skipper, which builds on the skills you’ll learn in this beginner course.
Syllabus & Key skills you'll learn
RYA Competent Crew Syllabus
- Knowledge of sea terms and parts of a boat
- Rigging and sails
- Sail handling
- Ropework
- Fire precautions and fighting
- Personal safety equipment
- Man overboard
- Emergency equipment
- Meteorology
- Seasickness
- Helmsmanship
- General duties
- Manners
RYA Competent Crew courses are only run at official RYA Recognized Training Centres by either RYA Cruising Instructors or RYA Yachtmaster Instructors.
Student Story
Day Skipper + ICC
The RYA Day Skipper course is the intermediate level skipper course in the RYA course progression. It’s designed for sailors aiming to take charge of a small cruising yacht in familiar waters.
You’ll develop navigation, pilotage, boat handling, and leadership skills. This course is widely recognized around the world and also enables you to apply for an ICC (International Certificate of Competence)
Intermediate
Skill level
5+ Days
Duration
100NM, 5 days, 4 Night hours
Prerequisites
Skippering, Charter, ICC
Enables
👉 Who is it for?
The RYA Day Skipper course is designed for sailors who:
- already have some time on the water
- are confident in their basic crew skills
- are ready to step into command
Day Skipper is ideal for you if you:
- Have logged around 100 nautical miles and 5 days as active crew.
- Know the basics of sail handling and helming.
- Plan to charter a yacht or skipper your own boat safely with family and friends.
Minimum age: 16
Duration: Typically 5 days. Can also be ran over 3 x 2 days, or 3+2 days
📚 How to Prepare?
At this level, you’ll be expected to combine practical sailing ability with solid theory knowledge.
Day Skipper is one of the most challenging — and rewarding — courses, because it transitions you from crew to a position of complete responsibility.
To get the most out of your course:
🧭 Refresh your beginner level sailing skills.
📚 Complete an RYA theory course — navigation, COLREGs, and meteorology need to be at a solid level before the course.
🌊 Bring a learning mindset — the Day Skipper course is intense, but offers a huge learning potential.
If you’d like to make the most out of your course, we highly recommend taking a Day Skipper Theory course to feel more confident and prepared.
⛵ What to Expect?
- 5 days living aboard a yacht with your instructor and fellow crewmates.
- You’ll be put into the role of skipper for part of the course, and it will be your task to manage the passage, vessel, and crew.
Hands on exercises and practical drills such as:
- Power manoeuvres, docking, and anchoring
- Planning and executing short coastal passages. Navigation and pilotage.
- Emergency procedures and crew management
- Day & Night Sailing
- At least 100 nautical miles
Typically, there is no final exam – the whole course is an assessment. Your instructor will give you feedback throughout on your progress and areas to focus on.
It’s an immersive, confidence-building week — challenging yet incredibly rewarding
🗺️ What does it Enable you to do?
With a Day Skipper certificate, you’ll be able to:
- Skipper a boat by day in familiar coastal waters.
- Charter yachts in most sailing destinations worldwide.
- Continue your pathway toward Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster certification.
- Apply for an ICC certificate with the RYA*
Most importantly, it will give you the tools to go out and learn for yourself — and to make your mistakes safely.
Ready to take charge? Book your RYA Day Skipper course today at Find a Sail.
Syllabus & Key skills you'll learn
RYA Day Skipper Syllabus
- Preparation for sea
- Deck work
- Navigation
- Pilotage
- Meteorology
- Rules of the road
- Maintenance and repair work
- Engines
- Victualling
- Emergency situations
- Handling under power
- Handling under sail
- Passage-making
- Night cruising
RYA Day Skipper courses are only run at official RYA Recognized Training Centres by either RYA Cruising Instructors or RYA Yachtmaster Instructors.
Student Story
Coastal Skipper
The RYA Coastal Skipper is an advanced level course designed for experienced skippers who want to expand their skills in sailing, passage-making and advanced navigation. If you’re already confident at the helm, now it’s time to push your envelope with an advanced, coaching-based course that hones your skills for coastal and offshore passages.
Advanced
Skill level
5+ Days
Duration
300NM, 15 days, 8 Night hours, 2 Skipper days
Prerequisites
Offshore & Night sailing
Enables
👉 Who is it for?
The RYA Coastal skipper course is for skippers who’ve already logged passages, handled a boat in different conditions, made their own mistakes, are comfortable leading a crew and want to expand their skillset.
If you’re preparing for offshore cruising, challenging charters, or just want to feel more confident sailing at night and in heavier weatherthis level is for you.
Coastal Skipper is ideal for you if:
- You’ve logged more than 300NM, 15 days at sea and a minimum of 2 days as a skipper.
- Have Day Skipper level skills backed by experience
- You’re aiming to go further offshore, sail at night, and hone your skills.
Minimum age: 17
📚 How to Prepare?
Your instructor will expect solid skippering skills and strong theory knowledge before you arrive.
To get the most out of your course, we’d recommend:
- 📘 Your basic theory is second nature — if it feels rusty, brush it up.
- 📚 Taking an advanced theory course, such as the excellent Yachtmaster Shorebased from our friends at Ardent Training.
- ⛵ Get out sailing before the course, consciously revise the skills you already have and note any gaps. You can focus on these with your instructor during the course.
If you’d like to make the most out of your course, we highly recommend taking a Yachtmaster Theory course to feel more confident and prepared.
⛵ What to Expect?
- 5 days living aboard
- Undertaking longer passages — often at night.
- Coaching feedback to refine the skills you already have
- Advanced Navigation
- Heavy-weather sailing
- Emergency drills
- Under-sail manoeuvres
You’ll take command for significant parts of the course — being responsible for planning, skippering, night watches, and taking care of your crew.
It’s demanding, but it’s also one of the most rewarding stages in sailing education.
Typically, there is no final exam – the whole course is an assessment. Your instructor will give you feedback throughout on your progress and areas to focus on.
🗺️ What does it Enable you to do?
With a Coastal Skipper certificate, you’ll be able to:
- Sail more ambitious charters
- Be more confident with coastal & offshore cruising
- Prepare for Yachtmaster-level training.
It’s the level that bridges day sailing with the independence and skill to handle almost anything.
Not many sailors take this step — but if you’re ready to refine your skills and push your sailing envelope further, book your RYA Coastal Skipper course at Find a Sail.
Syllabus & Key skills you'll learn
RYA Coastal Skipper Syllabus
- Passage planning
- Preparation for sea
- Pilotage
- Passage making and ability as skipper
- Yacht handling under power
- Yacht handling under sail
- Adverse weather conditions
- Heavy weather
- Fog
- Radar
- Emergency situations
RYA Coastal Skipper courses are only run at official RYA Recognized Training Centres by RYA Yachtmaster Instructors.
Student Story
Yachtmaster
The RYA Yachtmaster® preparation course & exam is where expert level skippers refine, coach, and validate what they already do — and demonstrate confident command.
It’s one of the most respected sailing qualifications in the world and often the gateway to a professional yachting career.
The RYA Yachtmaster qualification comes in 3 tiers
| Tier | Overview |
|---|---|
| RYA Yachtmaster Coastal | YM Coastal has slightly lower pre-requisites and exam difficulty. The prep course and exam is otherwise the same as YM Offshore. |
| RYA Yachtmaster Offshore | This is the gold standard, and the focus of this overview. Valid up to 150NM offshore. |
| RYA Yachtmaster Ocean | A standalone certification for YM Offshore holders who complete a qualifying passage and pass an a theory test & oral exam. Focus on Astronavigation and Global Meteorology |
RYA Yachtmaster® Offshore
Expert
Skill level
5 Days
Duration
Complex
Prerequisites
Professional work
Enables
👉 Who is it for?
The RYA Yachtmaster prep course is for you if:
- You have Thousands of miles under your belt and dozens of passages
- You want to consolidate your skills at the very highest level.
- You’re aiming for offshore cruising, ocean crossings, or professional qualifications.
Mandatory Pre-requisites
- A minimum of 50 days spent at sea
- 2500nm sailed, with at least 50% in tidal waters
- 5 days as a skipper
- 5 x 60nm passages, 2 of them as skipper, 2 overnight
- VHF & First Aid certificates
- Minimum age: 18
📚 How to Prepare?
For the Yachtmaster prep course, it is expected that you arrive confident and competent.
To get the most out of this course, we recommend:
- 📘 Reviewing advanced theory. If in doubt, take a refresher such as the excellent Yachtmaster Theory from our friends at Ardent Training.
- 🌊 Get on the water. Practice docking, under-sail manoeuvres, wind awareness, leadership, and emergency drills, and be brutally honest with yourself whether there is anything from the entire RYA Yachtmaster Scheme syllabus that you are not confident in.
If you are not 100% confident in your theory knowledge, we highly recommend taking the Yachtmaster Theory course. It will prepare you for any questions your instructor and examiner will ask.
⛵ What to Expect?
Please note: after the Preparation Course, there is a separate Examination by an independent examiner.
Yachtmaster Prep course:
- 5 days on the water
- Maximum of 4 candidates onboard
- No fixed syllabus — your instructor will identify areas of improvement and work on these with you.
RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Exam:
- A rigorous practical and oral assessment lasting 8 hours – 2 days depending on crew size.
- Night sailing is an important part of both the prep and the exam.
You’ll demonstrate your ability to command a yacht and her crew safely and confidently. Expect to be tested on anything from the entire RYA Cruising Scheme.
🗺️ What does it Enable you to do?
Passing the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam certifies that you are competent to skipper a cruising yacht up to 200 GT, up to 150NM from a harbour.
If you want to be certified beyond 150NM, you must achieve Yachtmaster Ocean.
With a Commercial Endorsement (plus medical, PPR, and sea-survival courses), it allows you to work professionally on MCA-coded vessels anywhere in the world.
It’s the benchmark for offshore competence and leadership, respected by charter companies, training centres, and maritime employers alike.
Ready to test yourself at the very top? Book your RYA Yachtmaster prep course at Find a Sail.
Syllabus & Key skills
RYA Yachtmaster prep course is tailored directly to your needs. Expect to be tested on anything within the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme Syllabus.
- Skippering ability and leadership
- Passage planning
- Pilotage (day and night)
- Navigation (electronic and traditional methods)
- Radar and blind navigation
- Heavy-weather sailing and storm tactics
- Night sailing and watch management
- Crew management and communication
- Boat handling under power and sail (including confined spaces)
- MOB recovery (sail and power, unannounced)
- Anchoring, mooring buoys under sail
- All docking scenarios
- Collision Regulations (COLREGs) – practical application and thorough knowledge
- Meteorology and synoptic chart interpretation
- Safety management and emergency procedures
- Engine troubleshooting
- Stability
- Crew welfare
RYA Yachtmaster prep courses are only run at official RYA Recognized Training Centres by RYA Yachtmaster Instructors.
Student Story
Current RYA Sailing Course Listings
RYA | Frequently Asked Questions
Are RYA sailing courses recognized internationally?
Generally, yes.
There’s no single global “sailing licence,” but RYA qualifications are among the most widely recognised worldwide.
With RYA Day Skipper you’re typically eligible to obtain an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), which many European charter companies expect.
Recognition still varies by country and charter operator, so if you’re planning a trip, always check their requirements.
How does the RYA ensure instructor quality?
The RYA runs a tightly controlled training scheme. Instructors are trained and assessed on the water by a pair of independent RYA Trainers, must meet ongoing standards, and are revalidated in person at set intervals—including observed teaching sessions.
Training centres are also inspected for safety, vessel condition, and course delivery standards. There are two instructor levels — RYA Cruising Instructor and RYA Yachtmaster Instructor — each with demanding entry requirements.
Because your experience on the water ultimately depends on the instructor, it’s fair to say the RYA goes to the greatest lengths to ensure its instructors are not only safe and highly capable, but also excellent teachers.
Do I need to take a theory course?
Not strictly — but you do need to have knowledge at the same level.
For example, Day Skipper Theory covers navigation, COLREGs, tides, and passage planning — all skills you’ll use immediately in your practical course.
Coming equipped with this knowledge helps you make the most of your course and sets you up for success as a confident and competent skipper.
Do I need to ‘do every step’ (e.g., Competent Crew before Day Skipper)?
No. You can enter at any level if you already have the required experience, theory knowledge, and practical skills expected below that level.
For instance, many sailors with prior crewing experience go straight to Day Skipper.
However, it’s important to choose the course that truly fits your experience — both for your enjoyment and outcome.
Day Skipper is not designed to teach the absolute basics; you’ll likely struggle without the Competent Crew foundation.
Coastal Skipper is more of a coaching course for experienced skippers. Without prior skippering experience, you won’t gain the full value and could end up wasting time and money.
- At Yachtmaster level, you should already be competent and confident in every aspect, the preps course will just polish the edges.
How long are RYA sailing licences valid for?
RYA certificates and licences (e.g., Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster) do not expire and are valid for life.
If you add a Commercial Endorsement to work professionally, that endorsement typically has a five-year validity linked to your medical certification and any required refresher training. Keeping those current ensures your professional status remains valid.
Can I use RYA sailing licenses professionally?
Yes—with the right certificate and Commercial Endorsement. For example, Yachtmaster Coastal / Offshore / Ocean with an endorsement is widely used on MCA-coded vessels.
Requirements include medical (ENG1 or equivalent), sea survival / first aid, and the RYA PPR (Professional Practices & Responsibilities) course.
* Can I get an ICC (International Certificate of Competency) through the RYA?
Usually, yes — the RYA Day Skipper (practical) course meets and exceeds the standard required for an ICC (International Certificate of Competence).
Eligibility depends on nationality and residency rules:
The RYA can issue ICCs to UK residents and to residents of countries not signatories to UN Resolution 40.
Others should apply through their national issuing authority.
Your training centre can confirm eligibility based on your passport and residency.
What sailing license do I need to charter a yacht?
For most Mediterranean and European destinations, an RYA Day Skipper or ICC is sufficient and widely accepted.
In more challenging areas, some operators may prefer a Coastal Skipper qualification.
Many countries also require a VHF/SRC radio operator certificate for the skipper or a crew member.
Always confirm the requirements directly with the charter company before booking.
Where can I take RYA sailing courses?
The RYA has a near-global presence — particularly in the UK and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Australia/New Zealand, South Africa, parts of Southeast Asia, and a handful of schools in North America.
The same standards apply worldwide, though local conditions vary.
Choose a location that matches the type of sailing experience you want — and for broader learning, consider taking subsequent courses in different regions and conditions.
Are there any other RYA boating courses?
Yes, the RYA actually offers a plethora of boating courses across many disciplines. For the full list, please visit the official RYA website:
Does Find a Sail organize their own courses?
No. Find a Sail helps connect sailing schools with students. We are not a sailing school, and do not organize courses. However, one of our founders, Patrik, is an active instructor – you might well find him teaching your course through a Recognized Training Centre.
