This course
Course days: 09:00–17:00.
Group size: maximum 4 learners.
The RYA Coastal Skipper Sailing Practical Course is an advanced five-day liveaboard programme designed for experienced sailors who wish to develop the skills and confidence to skipper a sailing yacht on longer coastal and offshore passages by both day and night.
Building on the knowledge gained during the RYA Day Skipper course, this programme focuses on advanced passage planning, pilotage, sail handling, yacht management and command. Training takes place in a variety of weather conditions and includes longer passages, night sailing and real-life skippering scenarios, preparing candidates for more demanding cruising and progression towards the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore Certificates of Competence.
Delivered aboard a modern cruising yacht by experienced RYA Yachtmaster Instructors, the course provides intensive practical training with a strong emphasis on sound seamanship and decision-making.
Course topics include:
• Advanced passage planning
• Preparation for sea
• Skipper responsibilities and leadership
• Crew management
• Advanced pilotage
• Coastal and offshore navigation
• Tidal planning and secondary port calculations
• Yacht handling under sail
• Close-quarters manoeuvring under sail and power
• Marina berthing and leaving pontoons
• Sail trim and efficient sail handling
• Reefing and heavy weather techniques
• Day and night passage making
• Anchoring and mooring
• Weather forecasting and passage planning
• International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS)
• Emergency procedures
• Man overboard recovery under sail
• Engine checks and basic maintenance
• Yacht management and decision making
Ready to take the next step? Book your place online or contact BH Marine Academy on 01305 564204 for dates, availability and advice on the right course for you.
Required experience
Candidates should normally have:
• Approximately 15 days at sea.
• At least 300 logged nautical miles.
• Two days acting as skipper.
• Eight night hours.
• Practical sailing ability to the standard of the RYA Day Skipper Practical Course.
• Navigation knowledge to the RYA Coastal Skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore Theory standard.
Minimum duration
Five consecutive days
Minimum age
17 years
Content
Advanced passage planning; preparation for sea; skipper responsibilities and leadership; crew management; advanced pilotage; coastal and offshore navigation; tidal planning; yacht handling under sail and power; sail trim; reefing and heavy-weather techniques; day and night passage making; anchoring; COLREGS; emergency procedures; man overboard recovery; engine checks and yacht management.
Certificate issuing criteria
Successful candidates receive the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Certificate (Sail), demonstrating the competence to skipper a sailing yacht safely on coastal passages by day and night. This qualification is the ideal progression towards the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal and RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence.
At BH Marine Academy, our instructors are experienced professional mariners, commercial yacht captains and RYA Yachtmaster Instructors with thousands of miles of offshore sailing experience. Our practical, enjoyable and professional approach develops confident skippers capable of planning and executing longer coastal passages safely whilst preparing candidates for the next stage of their sailing careers.
Contact BH Marine Academy by telephone or WhatsApp to discuss your previous experience, confirm your eligibility and reserve your place on the next available Coastal Skipper Sailing Practical Course.
Format
Practical liveaboard training aboard a sailing yacht. Candidates will also be assessed on the theory knowledge expected of a Coastal Skipper throughout the course.
Price:
£895
Course dates and availability: scheduled practical dates are listed in the course details above and on the course category page. Use the online booking calendar to select a date. For alternative dates, private tuition or courses without a published schedule, please contact BH Marine or complete the enquiry form below.
Make a booking enquiry
Please read our training terms before booking. This form requests dates and availability; your booking is confirmed separately.
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