The RYA Coastal Skipper combined training course will enable you to skipper a yacht safely on much longer coastal and offshore passages by day and night. Successful completion positions you perfectly to start notching up the 60 mile passages you'll need if you're aiming for the RYA Yachtmaster qualification.

Considerable knowledge of sailing is essential for longer passages. As a result, to book this course you must have 15 days sailing (including 8 night hours) - ideally RYA Day Skipper. Doing the practical certificate straight after the theory gives excellent continuity and enables you to share the whole Coastal Skipper journey with others of a like mind.

What‘s covered on this course?

RYA Yachtmaster Skipper Theory:

You’ll begin the course by spending 7 days in our Gibraltar classroom learning advanced navigational and meteorology. Consideration for potential issues associated with longer passages - including appropriate management of all aspects of your yacht to maximise crew comfort and safety. At the end of the this 40 hour training course you will be well prepared to take the RYA coastal Skipper theory tests. You will need to bring a notepad, a 2B pencil, a rubber and a pen with you.

RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (tidal):

After completing the theory element, you’ll join our training yacht to put it all into practice over the next five days. You'll be encouraged and trained how to take the advanced navigational techniques learnt during the theory course and apply them with high level of confidence and accuracy. You will also be asked to plan a longer passage and execute it – demonstrating your ability to take practical command on the water.

We will assess and improve your passage planning, crew leadership and seamanship skills. You'll use electronic navigation, undertake pilotage by night and consider longer range weather forecasts.

A Coastal Skipper must be good at boat handling too, so you will get lots of practice mooring the yacht in various conditions. Additionally, while currently not part of the RYA syllabus, we feel it essential that a Coastal skipper has experience of downwind sailing, so wherever possible we will pole out headsails and make use of a spinnaker.

What experience do I need?

You need RYA Day Skipper qualification or equivalent knowledge (Min 15 days sailing and 8 night hours). Check you're up to scratch and confident with all aspects of the Day Skipper syllabus and you'll know you're ready for this Coastal Skipper Combined training course. The 7 day YM Theory element of this course is very intensive and a massive step up from Day Skipper theory, so be prepared to put in some study before you arrive for this course. A thorough knowledge of IRPCS is expected. Check out our blog article Preparing for Coastal Skipper & YM Theory

What's included?

• Accommodation on board throughout the whole course
• Breakfast, lunch, refreshments and two evening meals - during the practical course only
• The theory element of this course is self catering. However, a basic breakfast pack is provided
• Bedding and towels
• Waterproof clothing
• Mooring fees & fuel
• All charts and publications
• RYA Yachtmaster Theory Course
• RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course

Upon successful completion of the combined course you'll be awarded the RYA Coastal Skipper Theory and Practical (tidal) qualification. If you are looking to gain qualifications quickly you may wish to consider our Extended Yachtmaster Preparation Course or our Professional Yachtmaster Fastrack Program.

Course schedule:

Start: 09:30 sharp at Queensway Quay Marina.

Ends: 16:30 Queensway Quay Marina (the earliest flight you would be able to catch from Gibraltar airport is 17:00 onwards)

* This is a 12 day course. 7 days of YM theory in the classroom followed by 5 days practical.

Accommodation on board is available on the Friday evening by prior arrangement at a cost of £50 (this can be booked online).  Failure to arrive by 18:00 may result in your berth on board becoming unavailable as we cannot accommodate late arrivals.  If you have a late flight, we suggest you book a hotel for the night. 

Own cabin option from: £2049

To guarantee your own cabin for the duration of your course, please select available dates below.

Please note: If you choose not to guarantee your own cabin, you may be allocated a saloon berth.

If you are making a booking for two people and are happy to share a cabin with each other, you do not need to select the own cabin option.

What's next?

Being a qualified Coastal Skipper will allow you to charter yachts all around the world and sail within the charter company's specified range from a safe haven. Once you’ve completed this course, experience is likely to be the only thing standing between you and the RYA Yachtmaster qualification. You may want to consider a Mile-building Adventure or a Yachtmaster preparation week.

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