RYA Sail Cruising
Coastal Skipper Practical Course
Solent based weekend and weekday courses starting from Ocean Village, Southampton.
Prices are from £435 and include accommodation, meals on board, fuel and overnight public mooring fees.
Our yachts are fitted out to a high specification including the navigation and deck equipment necessary to complete all aspects of this demanding course. The yachts are also fitted with home comforts such as refrigerated cool box, showers, 240v shore supply and cabin heating.
Courses generally run with a low student to instructor ratio (maximum 4:1), however we are happy to consider groups of five people if booking as a group.
Your instructor will be a fully qualified RYA Yachtmaster Instructor.
The Course & Content
These 5 day courses provide an to skippering a sailing yacht. Previous practical experience to beyond Day Skipper level is assumed and expected. Similarly, a level of knowledge of the Coastal Skipper shorebased syllabus (or equivalent) is required.
The RYA Coastal Skipper course develops your skills in more demanding pilotage and passage planning / making scenarios. It also builds your confidence by developing your sail and power close quarter boat handling skills in evermore challenging circumstances. Blind navigation and a the skills to navigate safely and efficiently at night are also developed. There is significant emphasis on safety and emergency procedures.
An RYA Coastal Skipper Practical (Tidal) certificate is awarded on completion of the course. The opportunity to take the RYA/ MCA Coastal Skipper practical exam at the end of the course is also provided.
What To Do Next....
Choose either a 2 day plus 3 day weekend combination or a 5 day period from our schedule of dates and prices. Other dates may be available - please ask.
Simply call us to confirm availability and to discuss your requirements in more detail, then complete and return one booking form per person with a 30% deposit payment.
Once the full course fee has been received we will send a formal booking confirmation and Joining Instructions to you.
Other useful pre course information is provided in our Sail Cruising Courses - Preliminaries sheet
If you are a group of four or five people, please call us to discuss group discounts and dates.
Useful Pre Course Reading
RYA Coastal Skipper Shorebased Course Notes
RYA Boat Handling For Sail & Power
RYA Navigation Handbook (and associated Exercises)
RYA Sail Cruising - Syllabus & Logbook
...and after Coastal Skipper?
Consider joining us on one of our holiday cruises when opportunities to develop your Coastal Skipper skills are available under the watchful eye of a professional skipper. If you feel the need to brush up on your boat handling skills, try one of our popular intensive boat handling under sail and power weekends.
Emphasis should also be given to all RYA specialist courses (First Aid, VHF, Sea Survival, Diesel Engine, Radar, ISAF Offshore, Yacht Maintenance) to ensure you have appropriate skills to hand for longer passages.
Charter a yacht with a group of friends to develop your confidence and skills. Ambition Sailing is able to source top quality charter yachts in a variety of fantastic cruising areas worlwide.
Watch leader positions on delivery / mile building trips and offshore races may also be available.
The next formal step is to work towards the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification, coveted worldwide. This is mandatory for those wishing to progress to instructor or operate commercially. Ambition Sailing has significant experience of preparing people for this challenging exam and can help by providing opportunities and advice! Call us for further information.
