Day skipper theory - any recommendations?

[stibbles]

Newbie here.

I'm looking to do day skipper theory somewhere on dry land in the East Midlands, preferably fairly intensive like over a couple of weekends.

Could any of you old pros recommend a centre? I found from the RYA site that there are quite a few in the area, but would be very grateful for a view from personal experience.

Cheers m'dears

PS

Does anyone know whether the RYA website list of centres for each course is exhaustive - are all centres doing their courses listed?

 

[StugeronSteve]

Hi, Welcome to the forum.

SWMBO is coming to the end of her Day Skip theory, having done a one night a week course over the winter, with SONAS at Broxtowe College, Chilwell, Nottm.

She has enjoyed the course, but it hasn't been intensive. I haven't a phone number for SONAS, although they do have a website. Can get the details tonight if it helps you.

Cheers, Steve.

 

[jimi]

Personally , I'd skip (sic) DS theory and go straight for the CS/YM theory .. ain't too much difference apart from standard .. recommend it.

 

[stibbles]

Thanks very much Steve. I live in Nottm, so Broxtowe College would be pretty handy. I could find them in the book and see when the next one is. Can you tell me how long the course runs?

 

[stibbles]

Ah, right? I didn't realise you could do that, Jimi. Do you need to have a number of miles under your belt to do that level of course (I ain't got many)?

Thanks, Stibbles

 

[fireball]

It depends what sort of Newbie you are though - if you've been sailing for a while and have learnt about tides, meterology and stuff "on the job" then yer - go straight for CS/YM theory (assuming no pre-requisit!).

I did DS theory a couple of years back - it was basic, but a very good reminder/brush-up for those of us with less theoretical knowledge ...

 

[Skysail]

Yes you can do it - but it does depend somewhat on how much knowledge you already have, and how much effort you can put in. I have taught people who did struggle even with Day Skipper, but they were mostly very new to boating. There is no minimum mileage for either course, but the more you have done the better.

Why not look at the syllabus (on the RYA site) before deciding, and the RYA Books of Navigation and Navigation Exercises are excellent for both courses. Also here -web page might help.

I think the RYA site is pretty accurate in listing all the approved training centres.

 

[stibbles]

That's food for thought. I am v much newbie so running before walking or gybing before tacking (or sinking!) probably wise.

Thanks Skyva, AFrogley and others - this is my first post and I've been really impressed with everybody's kind replies,

stibbles

 

[StugeronSteve]

Course runs from October, through to May. I did DS and CS/YM with them years ago. If you're not in a rush do both of the courses, it's a good night out and you get to talk boats.

ps. Why not come along and meet some of the local Scuttlees on 20th April (see E. Mids. meet post on Virtual pub forum).

 

[ShipsWoofy]

I can not speak from experience exactly, but if you are quite new to sailing/boating, the big advantage of starting at day skipper is being at the same level as everyone else in the room. You may feel a bit daft asking questions in a room full of potential YM candidates. It is going to be far more fun if you all cock up in the same way than if it was just you not getting what was being said.

On the other hand, it might all just fall into place and you might sit through the DS feeling bored. It might be an idea to pick up an approved Dayskipper course book and working your way through it, if you find it easy enough then go for the CS/YM, if not go on the DS and meet lots of local boat owners in the same position as you.

Just some thoughts really....not trying to teach the art of egg sucking.

 

[Mudhook]

I did Day Skipper and YM at North Notts College at Worksop and I very strongly recomment their course. YM isn't always available but DS definitely is. It runs from October to May and is very, very good indeed.

I cannot agree with those who say forget DS and go straight to YM. There is a lot of common ground there but I've seen many people floundering with YM when trying to do it all at once. Particularly with chartwork and secondary port tidal calcs, you need to have the basics down pretty good to keep up thr pace at YM. But that's just my opinion.

North Notts is also relatively cheap. Was £11 plus course materials (book & charts); I don't know anywhere else in the country that does it at that price (although it will have gone up a fair bit since 1997 & 8.

Regards, Mudhook

 

[Captain_Chaos]

I did day skipper theory at the Park Yacht club. Very relaxed atmosphere and good fun
I did coastal skipper at South notts college in West Bridgford which was equally enjoyable.

 

[stibbles]

Cheers for all the posts and for the pub invite, Steve. North Notts sounds strongly recommended, Mudhook, but probably a bit far away for me if it's an evening course, but ta.

Sounds like there quite a lot of active sailors in the Nottingham area. Not put off by all the land? Which part of the coast do you go or is it inland stuff? Not much on the East Coast north of Norfolk and south of Grimsby is there, or am I mistaken?

 

[peterb]

To quite a large extent, whether you would struggle or not depends on your background training. If you are reasonably numerate (do you know about vector triangles?) then you are quite likely to do well on the Coastal Skipper course. If you're not familiar with numerical and geometrical techniques, then go for Coastal Skipper.

I had a scientific background, but very little sailing experience (one weekend on a 23 footer!). The Day Skipper course was full, so I took up an available vacancy on a YM course. I found it reasonably easy, but after the tidal session half the course disappeared and never returned! Boating experience is helpful, but a technical background helps far more.

 

[stibbles]

Thanks for that perspective, peterb. I'd flatter myself that I have a similar background, training-wise, so that's encouraging. I note that on the RYA website the "suggested requirements" are knowledge to DS standard, not the certificate itself. Perhaps a thoroughly digesting a DS manual might be be sufficient?

But then, I guess the course is neither that long or expensive, so if I was going to do a bit of study I might as well do the course. I should imagine it's usually a nice, sociable set up.

 

[1107]

Hi,
If you are close to Nottingham, I can highly reccomend the Park Yatch club, I had great fun there 3 years ago & went on to do my cs/ym via correspondence school. The tutor at the park yatch is a decent chap & learning from scratch helped a great deal when it came to doing the ym at home.

 

[stibbles]

Hi Sandlefoot,

I searched for the Park Yacht Club and found an address down on Trentside. Is it (neverless) anything to do with the Park Estate up in town?

Thanks for the recommendation,

stibbles

 

[StugeronSteve]

Yes. PYC is on the Colwick side of the Trent, off Daleside Rd.

 

[1107]

No not that I know to, gent who runs it, just hires the room, his names Pete, If you know the area, its past little tennis st off the colwick loop
Send me a Private message if you need any more info.