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Yacht Theory Courses

Introduction: Day Skipper and Yacht Master Theory Courses

 Day Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory courses give you the knowledge and confidence to plan and run safe, enjoyable trips on the water. They teach essential skills like navigation, weather forecasting, passage planning, collision regulations, and safety procedures — things every skipper needs, whether sailing or driving a powerboat. 

Day Skipper is the ideal starting point for those building a solid foundation, while Yachtmaster Theory develops advanced skills for longer and more demanding passages.  Whether you want to skipper your own boat, crew with confidence, or progress toward professional qualifications, these courses provide the theory that underpins safe and capable boating.

Day Skipper Theory

The essential theory course for those wishing to progress to the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course!

This six day course is a pre-requisite for anyone wishing to take the RYA Day Skipper Practical course.  Based at the Dover Sea Sports Centre, the course is led by friendly and approachable instructors in a supportive classroom environment.  


Who is this course for?

Prospective yacht skippers and inexperienced crew looking to boost their knowledge and skillset, the course provides a thorough grounding in navigation, pilotage, meteorology and the general knowledge essential for students wishing to achieve the Day Skipper practical qualification and/or the ICC to enable them to charter abroad. 


Course content:

  • Seamanship
  • Coastal navigation and pilotage
  • Chartwork
  • Electronic charts
  • Position fixing
  • Plotting a course to steer
  • Weather forecasting and meteorology
  • Tides
  • Collision regulations

What you need to know

  • This course takes place at Dover Sea Sports Centre 
  • The RYA has switched to digital course materials, you will need a laptop or iPad to bring with you to access them during the course.
  • This is a classroom-based course that requires a minimum of 40 hours of tuition, plus self-study in between sessions.  
  • During the course 1 to 1 assistance is available outside of classroom hours for any students requiring additional support 
  • The exam takes place on the last afternoon of the course
  • We currently offer the course across 3 weekends 
  • Courses run with a maximum of 8 people, minimum 4.  
  • If you cannot find any available dates, just drop us a line to be added to our waiting list:

info@cinqueportssailing.co.uk

Enquire

Yacht Master Theory

Take the next step to become a proficient skipper, capable of confidently managing your boat on extended voyages. 

This theory course builds the knowledge needed to handle more demanding passages with confidence.  It forms the academic foundation for those planning to progress to practical Yachtmaster level qualifications. 


Who is this course for?  

  • Skippers aiming for RYA Coastal Skipper or Yachtmaster Offshore practical exams.
  • Those undertaking longer, more complex passages by day or night.
  • Skippers wanting to confidently manage challenging water
  • Those who have completed the Day Skipper Theory or have firm knowledge equivalent. 


Course Content:

  • Navigation: Advanced position fixing, course shaping & plotting, use of GPS, chart plotters, and admiralty publications.
  • Tides: Detailed tidal knowledge, including secondary ports, streams, and anomalies.
  • Meteorology: Taking and interpreting forecasts, plotting weather systems, and predicting weather using a barometer.
  • Pilotage & Restricted Visibility: Techniques for navigation in poor visibility.
  • Collision Regulations (IRPCS): In-depth study of lights, day shapes and sound signals.
  • Passage Planning: Planning safe and efficient offshore passages.
  • Safety: Yacht stability and general offshore safety


What you need to know

  • Knowledge to the level of Day Skipper Theory is required. 
  • This course takes place at Dover Sea Sports Centre 
  • The RYA has switched to digital course materials, you will need a laptop or iPad to bring with you to access them during the course.
  • This is a classroom-based course that requires a minimum of 40 hours of tuition, plus self-study in between sessions.  
  • During the course 1 to 1 assistance is available outside of classroom hours for any students requiring additional support 
  • The exam takes place on the last afternoon of the course
  • We currently offer the course in two formats: across 3 weekends or across a full week
  • Courses run with a maximum of 8 people, minimum 4.  
  • If you cannot find any available dates, just drop us a line to be added to our waiting list:

info@cinqueportssailing.co.uk

Enquire

 © 2026 Cinque Ports Sailing Ltd (Co. No. 09031380), incorporating Conningbrook Lakes Sailing, Martello Lakes Sailing and Cinque Ports Sailing Club CIC (Co. No. 16188173). 

Registered office: King Arthurs Court, Maidstone Rd, Charing, Ashford, Kent TN27 0JS. 

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