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RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Explained — Your Questions Answered

by | Jul 22, 2022 | Coastal Skipper, Learn to Sail, RYA Courses

RYA Coastal Skipper instructor briefing crew before passage planning exercise.

If you’ve completed Day Skipper and are ready to take your sailing to the next level, the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course could be your next big step. This guide answers the most common questions about the course — from what experience you need, to what you’ll do, and where you’ll sail.

⚓ For a full overview of what this qualification enables you to do, read What you can do with a Coastal Skipper qualification.
📖 Or, if you’re still comparing courses, check out Difference Between Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper.

Do I Need to Complete Prior Courses?

While you don’t have to hold every previous RYA qualification, you do need to meet certain experience and knowledge standards before starting the course.

You should have:

  • At least 15 days at sea (including 2 as skipper)

  • Around 300 miles logged

  • 8 night hours

  • Theoretical knowledge to Day Skipper and Yachtmaster Theory level

This course won’t cover the basics again — instead, it develops your ability to apply those skills confidently as a skipper making longer passages.

RYA Coastal Skipper instructor briefing crew before passage planning exercise.

RYA Coastal Skipper instructor briefing crew before passage planning exercise.

What Does the RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course Include?

The RYA Coastal Skipper Practical runs over five consecutive days and focuses on advanced skippering techniques in real-world conditions.

You’ll gain experience in:

  • Passage planning and pilotage

  • Yacht handling under power and sail

  • Watchkeeping and night navigation

  • Heavy weather and emergency management

Once completed, you’ll receive an RYA Coastal Skipper course completion certificate. This can also be used to apply for an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) through the RYA.

Yacht under sail at night during RYA Coastal Skipper training passage

Yacht under sail at night during RYA Coastal Skipper training passage

⛵ See upcoming course dates and full details on our Coastal Skipper practical training page.

Where Will We Be Sailing?

Most training takes place in The Solent, one of the UK’s most rewarding and varied sailing areas. However, this course is about passage-making, so you may sail farther afield — to Weymouth, Brighton, the Channel Islands, or even cross the Channel to France, depending on weather and tides.

RYA Coastal Skipper students navigating passage through The Solent.

RYA Coastal Skipper students navigating passage through The Solent.

What Equipment Do I Need?

If you’ve completed other RYA courses, you’ll already have most of what’s needed.

We provide:

  • Waterproof jackets and trousers (free)

  • Safety gear including lifejackets and harnesses

You should bring:

  • Non-marking waterproof sailing boots

  • Warm clothing and base layers

  • Sleeping bag and pillow

What Skills Will I Have After the Course?

After completing your RYA Coastal Skipper Practical, you’ll be able to:

  • Skipper yachts on coastal passages by day and night

  • Plan and manage longer routes with confidence

  • Lead crew safely and make key decisions at sea

It’s the final step before Yachtmaster Coastal or Offshore, helping you transition from competent sailor to confident skipper.

🧭 Explore your full RYA journey with our Course Progression Plan.

Ready to Get Started?

Join First Class Sailing for expert-led RYA training from Shamrock Quay, Southampton — the heart of UK sailing.

📅 See dates and details here:
👉 Find out more about Coastal Skipper practical training

📍 Still deciding which level suits you?
Take the RYA Sailing Level Finder quiz for a personalised course recommendation.

Updated 21.10.25

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Maurice MacSweeney profile pictureMaurice MacSweeney
11:45 30 Oct 25
Over the last few years First Class Sailing have taken me all the way from complete novice to Coastal Skipper, with theory and other courses along the way (like VHF, First Aid, etc), and there's now no other school I'd want to train and study with. They really stand out from other providers with the quality of their instructors and the support and responsiveness you get from the office team. There's never too many students on a course, so you get lots of time to practise and learn from the instructor. By the end of each course you really feel you've been stretched and graduated to a much higher level of skill. A really high quality outfit and thoroughly recommended!
Response from the owner 13:56 06 Nov 25
Hi Maurice, we're so pleased to have been with you from the start of your sailing journey. That's great that you enjoyed the ratio of students to instructor and felt confident with the levels you achieved. Thanks for the review, we hope you manage to get plenty of sailing in after all the hard work you've put in.
Marty Stromquist profile pictureMarty Stromquist
15:22 24 Oct 25
I just finished another training week at First Class Sailing’s training center. The week was dedicated to Yachtmaster Ocean Theory, with a highlight on Celestial Navigation. The instructor, Nigel Rennie FRIN (Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation), was fantastic. It was very fast-paced, but covered the basics and theory behind Celestial Navigation. The jewel of the week was Rennie. His abundant patience, coupled with his experiences and passion for the art, made the week incredible. First Class Sailing have the best instructors. They know their craft and have real-life experience to make training both fun and memorable. Well Done!
Response from the owner 13:42 06 Nov 25
Thanks Marty. We're so pleased you enjoyed Nigel's expert guidance and passion for sailing. Like all our instructors, he loves teaching and sharing his knowledge, but manages to make it fun too. Thanks for the recommendation.
Anne-Laure McLeman profile pictureAnne-Laure McLeman
10:07 15 Oct 25
Being in an all female boat is a great way to learn. Kirsten, our instructor, had a very calm and reassuring style. The small size of the group (only 3 of us) meant we got a lot of attention and many opportunities to practice. Such a good week!
Response from the owner 13:24 06 Nov 25
Thank-you for the review Anne-Laure. That's great that the all female option suited you well and you enjoyed learning with Kirsten. Hopefully all that practice has set you up well for future sailing. Good luck!
Angus Sandison profile pictureAngus Sandison
19:57 07 Oct 25
Really great experience with First Class. My partner and I did our Day Skipper over two weekends with our instructor Mark. He was fantastic. Patient as we learned and made the whole thing fun. The boats are great and organization by First Class was seamless. Would totally recommend.
Response from the owner 13:17 06 Nov 25
Thanks Angus. That's good that you enjoyed Mark's style of teaching and also had lots of fun along the way. Wishing you lots of happy sailing in the future.
Tricia Bunten profile pictureTricia Bunten
18:48 07 Oct 25
I just finished a fantastic week taking my Day Skipper practical with First Class Sailing and I highly recommend them. I chose the Women Only week and had an incredibly patient instructor who was able to help each of us individually with areas of weakness but also worked great with us as a group. I had never sailed in the Solent before and it was the perfect location for this class. I am so grateful for First Class and my instructor for helping me build confidence and experience.
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner 16:59 04 Nov 25
Thanks Tricia, we're so pleased you enjoyed the Women Only week and had a positive experience. We always say that the Solent really is one of the best places to learn and it has some beautiful scenery to explore too, so that's good that you appreciated it. Hope you manage to get out on the water soon.
Evan Ainsworth profile pictureEvan Ainsworth
20:30 05 Oct 25
They do say that what sets great companies apart is customer service. This is my third time with first class sailing the first time was a few years ago when we did our competent crew it was one of the best weeks of our lives. Then we came again in August for the kids to do their competent crew and my wife and I to do our day skipper course. Unfortunately when I did my day skipper course the weather was terrible and I was unable to have a good session to pass. So Jake said to me you can come back and have a free weekend on us to enable you to pass. And again I had a fabulous weekend. There was just three of us on the boat. A wonderful instructor, Tom, and another student. Tom was an excellent instructor he was relaxed, he had great experiences, he got on with the practical part of sailing not just a lot of theory and he was thorough. He had lots of practical tips to make sailing easier and had some good exercises forest to try. We had a super trip down to Yarmouth where he cooked a wonderful dinner and then we went to the pub. Where we met another first class sailing group and spent the evening listening to their tall tales. The following day we had a super sail back to Southampton, with lots of cool exercises and I was thrilled to pass my day skipper.
Photo from customer review
Response from the owner 16:46 04 Nov 25
Thanks for the review Evan and congratulations on passing your Day Skipper practical, the hard work has paid off. That's good that the whole family joined you for one of the trips and so now hopefully you have some willing crew members for future sails. Good luck!
hugo kirby profile picturehugo kirby
15:26 09 Sep 25
great course with a very engaged and helpful instructor - who was happy to go outside the curriculum and give us the benefit of his wider knowledge - throroughly recommended
Response from the owner 15:30 11 Sep 25
That's good that you appreciated the experiences and extra knowledge that the instructor passed on. Thanks for the recommendation.
Justin Brooks profile pictureJustin Brooks
11:11 23 Aug 25
We would highly recommend First Class Sailing.

Very well organised with a top quality instructor who provided tuition tailored to our differing needs.

A fantastic option for a couple wanting an entire boat to do a mixed Competent Crew / Day Skipper itinerary.
Response from the owner 14:21 28 Aug 25
Thanks Justin. We always find that mixing the Competent Crew & Day Skipper works well, so that's great that it worked for you too. Hope you manage to get out on the water soon and put all your learning into practice.
ChrisC profile pictureChrisC
15:37 22 Aug 25
Great experience doing a Yachtmaster Offshore prep week followed by exam. Lots of useful paperwork up-front for the course admin and training exercises. The 3-day prep format worked well and Hayley did a brilliant job of cramming in the training over those days. Lovely modern boat too called Sazerac. Will be back.
Response from the owner 14:17 28 Aug 25
Hi Chris, thanks for the review. Congratulations on gaining your YMO qualification. There's a lot to cover, but as you've found, the hard work really pays off. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Miles Barr profile pictureMiles Barr
11:27 03 Aug 25
I completed my Competent Crew and Day Skipper Practical with First Class Sailing. It was a great experience. I hired the whole boat each time, taking my family members along who also earned their Competent Crew qualifications.
Response from the owner 15:21 21 Aug 25
Thanks Miles. That's great that hiring the whole boat for your courses worked well for you all. Now that your family have their comp crew qualifications, you'll have plenty of help onboard for future sails! Good luck.

star rating  A consistently great experience  - Over the last few years First Class Sailing have taken me all the way from complete novice to Coastal Skipper, with theory and other courses along the way (like VHF,... read more

avatar thumb Mo M
October 30, 2025

star rating  All female boat for day skipper practical  - Being in an all female boat is a great way to learn. Kirsten, our instructor, had a very calm and reassuring style. The small size of the group (only 3... read more

ALMC62
October 15, 2025

star rating  Great night sailing weekend. - I did the night sailing weekend on the Solent. Callum was very friendly and knowledgeable. He planned the weekend together with the participants such that everyone could have an input... read more

avatar thumb Federica D
November 8, 2025

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