Coastal Skipper Practical Course

The Course & Content

These 4 day courses develop the skills necessary to skipper a motor boat / cruiser on coastal passages by day and night. 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 motor cruising course develops your skills in more demanding pilotage and passage planning / making scenarios. It also builds your confidence by developing your close quarter boat handling skills in evermore challenging circumstances. Blind navigation and the skills to navigate safely and efficiently at night are also developed. Safety and emergency procedures are emphasised.

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 on Day 5.

Our Solent based, 4 day RYA Coastal Skipper courses start from Lymington Yacht Haven, Lymington.

Prices are from £835 and include accommodation, breakfast and lunch on board, fuel, mooring fees and use of wet weather gear.

Our team of top instructors and the immaculate 2005 Sealine 42/5, Oceanique, combine to provide the best RYA motor boat cruising courses available!

Oceanique has a flybridge and is equipped with twin shaft drive diesel engines, electronic throttles, radar, chart plotter plus all home comforts including showers, microwave, flat screen TV/DVD - what more could you want!

Courses generally run with a student to instructor ratio (maximum 4:1). If you prefer the course to be run for just you and maybe your partner or friend this is also possible - call us for our private instruction rates.

The instructor for your course will be a fully qualified RYA Cruising or Yachtmaster Instructor.

What To Do Next....

Choose either two 2 day weekends or a 4 day period from our schedule of dates and prices. Other dates may be available - please ask.

Simply call us on +44(0)7977 459671 or +44(0)1253 853075 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 Motor Cruising Courses - Preliminaries sheet

If you are a group of four people, please call us to discuss group discounts and dates.

Useful Pre Course Reading

RYA Motor Cruising Handbook
RYA Coastal Skipper Shorebased Course Notes
RYA Boat Handling For Sail & Power
RYA Navigation Handbook (and associated Exercises)
RYA Motor Cruising - Syllabus & Logbbook
International Rules For Prevention Of Collisions At Sea (Col Regs)

...and after Coastal Skipper?

Emphasis should also be given to all RYA specialist courses (First Aid, VHF, Sea Survival, Diesel Engine, Radar, ISAF Offshore Safety) to ensure you have appropriate skills to hand for longer passages.

Bareboat motor cruiser charter abroad, particularly Mediterranean charter is very popular and makes a great motor cruisng holiday  with friends and family. We can recommend suitable motor cruiser charter companies and great locations.

Our Intensive Boat Handling weekends are also a valuable way to 'keep your hand in' between charters!

The next formal step is to work towards the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Off shore 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.