Day Skipper Practical Advise.

[DEPTHSinMETERS]

Good Afternoon

I have my Day skipper practical booked in a few weeks time.
can anybody tell me how long I will have to create a passage plan. And will it have to be converted from true to magnetic.

thanks

 

[[3889]]

Don't think there is any set rule and a lot depends on the individual instructor's whims. If you know how to do you'll be OK. No one will be trying to put you under pressure. Remember, being skipper doesn't mean you're the best at everything on board. You have crew so don't be worried to use them for their brains as well as their brawn.

 

[Channel Sailor]

My Day Skipper theory was a long time ago, but I vaguely recall we were taught to annotate/suffice each compass bearing with: M for Magnetic, T for True and C for Compass. Converting from True to Magnetic (and to Compass) I suggest is part of normal navigation for someone navigating in local waters, so someone acting as a\skipper should know how to do it anyway. However, in you local waters (Day Skipper territory) one would know in your head what the local magnetic variation is and you would have mentally applied it, (assuming) it is of significance and hence relevance to a course you are planning. In some locations it is of course zero, or thereabouts. Personally I try to write down the resulting course sufficed with a T or M or C, just out of habit. But as I often sail as the only navigator/skipper/watch leader then is is not quite so critical in my waters.

You do not ask about about Magnetic to Compass adjustment, which can be significant. Someone may have swung the yacht and discovered the compass deviation is zero on all courses or/and it could/should be a Compass Deviation Card in the boat files. When as a day skipper you board a new to you yacht, you would check for the presence of a Compass Deviation Card.

The sequence of the conversion T to M to C (or True to Variation then Deviation), is supposedly important as well. I have not really thought about why, but do it anyway.
.....

Real world:

The Magnetic variation is currently very small on the south coast of the UK, where a fair number of people sail and do training. For example in the Channel Islands ( Îles Anglo-normandes) it is currently approx 25 minutes West. Not a lot to fuss about, but those navigating in these areas will know this in their heads. In any case it is in front of your nose displayed on paper charts (and in my case Imray Raster electronic charts) . In the Greek Islands google tells me it is currently 5 degrees East.

As for Deviation, I have had problems with swinging my yacht compass over last few years. I suspect the magnets were dislodged when I fitted an illumination light under the bowl thing. It has taken me a couple of attempts to swing and adjust the compass since then. I plan to have another go at it this season. So for the moment, if I am on anything but coastal hopping in day light and bay racing, I double check the main compass with a hand bearing compass anyway. The ground track on the plotter keeps and eye on things as well, though that not necessarily a lot of help if for example you mid way through crossing south from IOW to Normandy on a Spring tide.

 

[coveman]

I think you will find this will all depend on the skipper/coach who is taking you on the course. If they feel this is a weak point in your knowledge they may spend a bit more time on it to help you , and yes you would be expected to know how to calculate true or magnetic.
However at Day Skipper level the coach will do his/her best to help you through the course which is building on the knowledge you
learnt doing the theory course. Your instructor will not try to catch you out, and will be trying to give you as reasonable grounding as possible in the time frame available (no pun intended!)
Once you get onto Yachtmaster courses it all gets a bit more serious - enjoy yourself - it should be a great experience and give you confidence. Good luck!

 

[CFG98]

Is this day skipper course completion certificate or examined by RYA examiner? If former, relax. Even if latter, it is not like Coastal Skipper or even more daunting Yachtmaster. They may ask you for a very simple passage plan on the spot. A very basic one for day skipper. Brush up on true to mag and you are ready. Unless you are an absolute beginner you will find it a breeze. Hope no gales forecast on the day!

 

[[3889]]

Is this day skipper course completion certificate or examined by RYA examiner? If former, relax. Even if latter, it is not like Coastal Skipper or even more daunting Yachtmaster. They may ask you for a very simple passage plan on the spot. A very basic one for day skipper. Brush up on true to mag and you are ready. Unless you are an absolute beginner you will find it a breeze. Hope no gales forecast on the day!

There is no DS exam, it is always a formative assessment over 5 days or equivalent period by the instructor who delivers the course.

 

[CFG98]

So the OP can really relax. They are there to teach you and help you succeed and give you a certificate of completion at the end and proudly report they have a 100% pass rate and an ICC from the RYA for free if you are a member (less things have changed).
I found the RYA examiner frightening for my practical and would not like to go through that again.

 

[[70521]]

I found the RYA examiner frightening for my practical and would not like to go through that again.

Did you pass your Yachtmaster?

 

[CFG98]

Aye. Bit like a driving test; very frightened, but no need.

 

[[3889]]

Did you pass your Yachtmaster?

What I can say with certainty is that he didn't have a DS examiner. The instructor on the boat doesn't have the authority to award a certificate, only to make a recommendation to the RYA school by whom s/he's employed which has to be supported by a documentary account of each individual's performance. And I personally know several people who have not been awarded the certificate at the end of the course because they weren't familiar with the syllabus.

 

[V1701]

The fact that you're asking that question suggests that you already know enough to not fail. Very rare that anyone fails DS Practical taught. When I did mine there were two owner/skippers also on the course whose lack of knowledge/practical skills was quite worrying and also a couple of people with no experience at all doing Comp Crew (the mix worked pretty well). I was pleasantly surprised that the instructor would ask me to keep an eye on things when he went below for some reason. Nobody failed their course, there's nothing to worry about, enjoy yours...

 

[[70521]]

What I can say with certainty is that he didn't have a DS examiner. The instructor on the boat doesn't have the authority to award a certificate, only to make a recommendation to the RYA school by whom s/he's employed which has to be supported by a documentary account of each individual's performance. And I personally know several people who have not been awarded the certificate at the end of the course because they weren't familiar with the syllabus.

The very reason I was asking if he had passed his Yachtmaster examination. @CFG98 answered my question. He has his YM. Coastal or Offshore is another question.

 

[mattonthesea]

As others have said, the entire RYA syllabus is designed around development. While it gets tougher at the higher levels, in my experience, all instructors and examiners are have a coaching mentality. If you can move between Compass, Magnetic and True then do; but if you are having difficulty then a DS instructor will help you make it easier.

 

[Skylark]

It’s not really possible to be prescriptive as to how a 5-day practical course will unfold as there are many variables. How many students on the boat and what mix of CC and DS? Weather conditions and so on......

It will start with a chat around the chart table (now more likely in the cockpit due to CV measures) over a cup of tea (and a biscuit/choc bar/cake if it’s one of my courses?).

This is an opportunity for the students to outline their experience and expectations. Always good to ask questions. The instructor may ask about DS Shorebased course completion. There isn’t time during the practical course to teach the Shorebased syllabus. If DS candidates haven’t done the Shorebased course, it can be a disadvantage. It is, if course, not necessary to have done the course but it is necessary to have the knowledge.

The strongest candidates are usually those that are well prepared and already familiar with the syllabus (found in the G158 logbook)

It is possible that DS students do not get the course completion certificate at the end of the week. However, this should not be a surprise to the student. He/she should be made aware daily and individually as to their progress. The instructor will have a good idea from early-on if there are weaknesses and will discuss these.

Always good to keep in mind that one of the objectives of the course is to enjoy it and have fun.