day skipper is it worth it

ian38_39

ian38_39

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Hi,
Am new to the boating game and really havn't done that much this year due to the weather,
Have a Sealine 255 half share with my father, which is on the Norfolk broads, chosen to give lots of boat use without the bills but also 2 routes to sea.
The boat is seaworthy and packs 2 nice new mercruiser petrol lumps and outdrives.

Although it has now been decided to upgrade to a larger boat, Sealine 305 if anyone is selling, I wan't to do some sea work along the east coast, was going to enroll on a dayskipper course but have heard varying comments on it's suitability for fast motorboats.
Given the amount of time the course takes to complete (almost a year at local night school 1 night a week) I wondered what the thoughts of others who had completed it were.

Ian
 
The things that you would learn about in Day Skipper ( tides , lights , rules of the road , safety , etc ) are all relevant to any type of boat, sail or motor.

Do the Day Skipper theory then do an ICC Power course and you will end up with a qualification that would enable you to hire a boat when abroad on holiday.
 
Some schools run the day skipper over 2 or 3 weekends rather than all through the winter.
If you pass you will be able to apply for an ICC (unless the rules have chaged?).
But yes, well worth doing.
 
If you are going the eveing class route then do not forget that this is only the shored based element, there is also a 4/5 day 'practical' course which usually involves being afloat for four nights. I have have yet to enjoy delights of the practical, but really got a lot out of the shore based course, which incidentally I took over a few weekends.
Do the course, get the knowledge, spread the word.
Mal
 
I have been boating now for only two seasons and wish I had done the day skipper theory and practical in the first season. The amount of learning and fun you have is amazing. My wife has just done the practical as well and we both feel more confident handling our boat and just as important know basic naviation and collision regs. I did a week long day theory course with Mustang sailing and my practical course with Mendez Marine and can highly recommend both.

My advise don't think about it too long just get on and do it you won't regret it!
 
Speak to Clive at 'Suncoast' in Spain.
Full 'ICC tidal day skipper'. 5 days practical in the med etc etc - no competition as far as i'm concerned as your clearly part way there already. Highly recommended unless you fancy school again ??
 
I'm biassed, being an instructor but we do make a real effort to keep the motor boat content up alongside the yachty, and a lot of the course is aimed at both;
eg weather, colregs, safety, pilotage, electronics, tide heights.....you could argue that low speed navigation is not for you, but in heavy weather or with an engine out, it is just as necessary.

the course is 40 hours, so even at 2 hrs per session it should be 20 evenings. I do it in 14 sessions of 3 hours, and as has been said it can be 3 weekends.
 
Why not try the Powerboat Level 2 course. Couple of days couple of Hundred quid and it give me more than enough skills to handle most powerboats, got me an ICC too. Once you have got the basics you can learn more by yourself and if you still feel the need, do the day skipper. I have never felt the need but i suppose it all depends on how you retain the knowledge and how much more you think you need to learn.
 
Umm it seems from this post that in order to get ICC you need dayskipper?? I have done Power boat Lvl 1 Powerboat Lvl 2 and own boat tuition All with RYA instructor - after later I got ICC and Cevni, does so do I still need to do Day Skipper? I have done all of the Navigation and sea Skills -plus a lot more - but in a course done for me on my own boat which was just under the heading of Own Boat Tuition or as I have ICC does this mean in effect I have Day Skipper?

Cheers
Clive /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
It never ceases to amaze me the number of people out there who sail the seas in a not inconsiderable financial investment without qualification. Who would buy a car for less money and take to the highway without learning to drive!!!!

The financial aspect aside I think it's actually scarey that the guy coming towards you at 25+ knots has potentially had no training at all.

Surely before you can go out training should be mandatory as it is on the highway.

Have I now stirred aup a hornets nest?
 
I am not advocating just going out there and waiting to hit something as a learniing curve, just wanted to know if it was the most suitable training.
Talking to people seems to throw up 2 schools of thought, and previously Sailys said it was neccesary while stinkies thought most of the course was centred around sail.
the other question has to be if not day skipper how do I learn about navigation, colregs, crossing shipping lanes, traffic seperation and the like.

Ian
 
If you have Day skipper practical you can get an ICC certificate(by paying the RYA fee!).

An ICC does not get you a Day Skipper certificate. If you look at the detailed syllabus the content is a bit less than Day Skipper. It sounds as if you are at least the same level, why not talk to your instructor, he may be able to give you a certificate if you feel you want one, though it will not add to what you know.
 
I did my 5 day 'day skipper' on board a 40ft flybridge cruiser so it was not at all 'raggie' based. I thoroughly recommend it. Cost about £900 all in for the week.
 
Umm yes I could do that - but I am planning to do the next one up at the moment - as I have not done any night navigation as yet - and believe that with the current weather trends it is more likely that the sea state is calmer at night and therefore would be a better cruising ground - not sure what the one above day skipper is - but I know that it involves 3 out of port stop overs and 4 hours night time navigation as well as a lot more in depth naviagtion skills as well ...

Clive
 
[ QUOTE ]
Umm it seems from this post that in order to get ICC you need dayskipper?? I have done Power boat Lvl 1 Powerboat Lvl 2 and own boat tuition All with RYA instructor - after later I got ICC and Cevni, does so do I still need to do Day Skipper? I have done all of the Navigation and sea Skills -plus a lot more - but in a course done for me on my own boat which was just under the heading of Own Boat Tuition or as I have ICC does this mean in effect I have Day Skipper?

Cheers
Clive /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Let's put things into perspective - You say you have PB 1 & 2 - depending on when you did it your ICC would either be power up to 24 meters or if you did it after 1st January 2005 then the ICC is issued only up to 10 meters.

Having an ICC does not automatically mean you have Day Skipper. The Day Skipper practical course is a 4 day course, whereas the ICC course is only 3 days and does not require as much in depth knowledge.

The question I would ask is if you did all the nav work etc on your own boat did you have an RYA instructor? Day Skipper practical certificates may only be issued by a recognised sea school such as ourselves.

If you want any more detailed information send me a PM and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The question I would ask is if you did all the nav work etc on your own boat did you have an RYA instructor? Day Skipper practical certificates may only be issued by a recognised sea school such as ourselves.

If you want any more detailed information send me a PM and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks I may just do that - as to the question the guy we had was not only an RYA instructor - he was an RYA instructors instructor - he teaches RYA instructors.

I will have to check the ICC - I know that it covers my boat which is 10.8 meters and also it say I can do Raggies as well!!! I am keen to get all of the qualifications that I need to be competent out at sea as I normally have the responcibility of another 5 crew on board for most trips - my best mate also does these courses with me so that there are two of us on board just in case anything should happen .....

Ill check the cert and let you know .... thanks again

Clive
 
Dayskipper is excellent and suitable for you and your boat, BUT ..

Why not just jump in and do the 'Coastal Skipper' winter shore based course next winter, but do the 5 day or 2 weekend practical on the water 'Coastal skipper' this season. It's great fun and you'll enjoy it. Much the same stuff, and you'll probably end up doing CS in the future anyway, so why not get 2 for the price and time of one!

Either way DS or CS is the right way to go and you'll feel a lot happier building your experience and milage on the sea.
 
Have looked at level 2 and it looks like I need to do the intermediate course as well to get to pilotage and passage planning and there is no mention of regulations till advanced, think first step maybe DaySkipper theory anyone know a good corespondance course?
 
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