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RYA COASTAL SKIPPER

Take your sailing to the next level with the RYA Coastal Skipper course—an advanced practical qualification that equips you with the skills and confidence to safely skipper a cruising yacht on coastal passages by day and night.

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Arguably the most rewarding course in the RYA Cruising Scheme, it builds on the foundation of Day Skipper by refining your navigation, passage planning, and boat handling skills, while introducing more advanced techniques and responsibilities.​​​​​

RYA Coastal Skipper with Academy Sailing

At this level, we place a strong emphasis on the concept of the ‘thinking skipper’—developing your ability to make safe, well-informed decisions in a range of scenarios. For many, this is the standard they truly aspire to, and we’re passionate about teaching it.

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Over the course of five intensive and fulfilling days, you’ll have the opportunity to plan and execute longer coastal passages, with a particular focus on weather forecasting and its impact on decision-making—a key element of the course.

Chartwork aboard Dream Odyssey

Before taking this course, you should already be sailing at a solid RYA Day Skipper standard, with a good working knowledge of navigation techniques—including secondary port calculations.

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The RYA Coastal Skipper course is assessed through continuous observation, meaning your instructor evaluates your skills and decision-making throughout the five days. There’s no final exam, allowing you to focus on learning and enjoying the experience without added pressure.

On successful completion, you’ll be awarded the RYA Coastal Skipper course completion certificate—enabling you to skipper longer coastal passages safely, confidently, and competently.

 

From our base in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, we are close to London and easy to reach from across the east of England. Two of the courses in 2025 are combined with the opportunity to sail all the way from Burnham-on-Crouch, or from the Solent back to Essex. More information is available on the holidays page, or on the book online - look out for the Coastal Skipper courses marked up **SPECIAL**.

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Pre-Course Requirements

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  • Minimum age of 17. All Under 18's to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  • RYA Day Skipper qualification recommended - or at least equivalent skills.

  • Suggested sailing experience aboard a sailing yacht of 15 days, 2 days as skipper, 300 miles, and 8 night hours.

  • Knowledge of navigation and helmsmanship. It is recommended that you complete the RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster theory course before taking this practical course - this can be arranged for you (please enquire).

RYA Coastal Skipper with Academy Sailing

What's Included?


There are no hidden extra costs to any of our courses. Your course fee covers:-
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  • Accommodation (yacht has central heating throughout)

  • All breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and 4 evening meals (on south coast holiday Coastal Skipper courses you eat out at own expense on the additional 2 nights)

  • Tea / coffee / snacks all day

  • Your own allocated bunk

  • Use of state-of-the-art GoreTex sailing jacket and salopettes (new every season)

  • All safety equipment including personal issue lifejacket

  • Your RYA Yachtmaster Instructor & hire of the yacht

  • All berthing and mooring fees

  • Fuel and gas

  • RYA qualification card

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Cost; See Below for Course Specifics

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The cost of each course is shown below. There are no hidden extras. A non-refundable deposit reserves a place on your chosen course with the balance being due 9 weeks before the start of the course. See full terms and conditions for more information including cancellation policy and refunds. We recommend holiday insurance to cover for cancellations (costs around £10 from reputable insurance companies).

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The overall maximum Instructor to Student ratio is 4:1.

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Course Syllabus

 

By the end of your RYA Coastal Skipper course with Academy Sailing you will have covered the following:-

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  • Can plan a coastal passage including a consideration of the capability of the yacht, navigation, victualling, weather, ports of refuge, tidal heights, and tidal streams, publications required and strategy.

  • Knows Customs procedures.

  • Is aware of safety equipment required for offshore passages.

  • Can prepare a yacht for sea including stowage, safety briefing, watch keeping, delegating responsibilities and equipment and engine checks.

  • Can prepare a pilotage plan, with consideration of surroundings, transits, clearing bearings, buoyage, port or harbour regulations and tidal considerations.

  • Can pilot a yacht by day and night.

  • Passage making and ability as skipper.

  • Can take charge of a yacht and direct the crew.

  • Can organise the navigation, deckwork, and domestic duties of a yacht on passage.

  • Is aware of the significance of meteorological trends.

  • Is aware of crew welfare on passage.

  • Can use electronic navigational equipment for planning and undertaking a passage, including the use of waypoints and routes.

  • Can control the yacht effectively in a confined space under power.

  • All berthing and unberthing situations in various conditions of wind and tide.

  • Yacht handling under sail characteristics.

  • Can use the sails to control the yacht in a confined space.

  • Anchoring and mooring in various conditions of wind and tide.

  • Can sail efficiently on all points of sailing.

  • Preparation for heavy weather and yacht handling in strong winds. Navigation and general conduct in restricted visibility.

  • Recovery of man overboard under power and sail.

  • Understands action to be taken when abandoning to the liferaft and during helicopter and lifeboat rescues.

BookYour Spot

Book Your Spot


1 Day Tasters - Start Yachting - Comp Crew - Skipper Prep Course - Day Skipper - Coastal Skipper - Skills Refreshers - Holidays

* For your convenience we only display courses with remaining availability *

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