Day skippers theory course. Is it worth it?

[Steve101]

For those of you that don't know I'm new to yatching. I own a GP14 (For messing about on/ Making a fool of myself!) and intend to order a Moody 38 @ SBS 2003. Interim I'm thinking of taking a Day skippers theory course running from next week 'til June 2003 prior to a comp course this October and Day skippers in May. Before chartering a Moody 38 in Gibralter in July. (Take a breath!)
Is the Theory worthwhile at this stage?....and can anyone see any chinks in the plan so far?

PS. I get to crew on my mate's Bav 32 as well.

 

[JeremyF]

Steve,

Thats about as rushed as its sane to do! /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

Glad you have decided to wait till SBS 2003 for the Moody order.

Day skipper theory is definitely the right thing to do. I believe the correct term is 'shorebased' as its not theoretical, its totally practical. If you are lucky you'll get a tutor who really knows his stuff,and you'll learn lots outside the curriculum.

If you are getting plenty of practise on the mate's Bav, then I think you could probably cut out the comp crew, and go straight for day skipper practical. How many sea miles will you have done as crew before doing day skipper. If its at least 150 miles - 5 days with a variety of skippers, I reckon most will let you do day skipper.

I used http:// www.hoboyachting.co.uk Very civilised on a Moody 42, which will not be dissimilar to your intended 38.


<font color=blue>Jeremy Flynn/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif
Dawn Chorus</font color=blue>

 

[Steve101]

Thanks for the reply. I guess my plan entitled "I can't wait, but I have to!" is blatently obvious then. I'll probably have done about 300 miles crewing by June, I've done about 40 so far. I presume you mean real nautical miles and not some term I'm not aware of.

 

[zefender]

Agree with JeremyF about the skipping the comp crew bit. Also, if you are au fait(ish) with some colregs and basic navigation, you could think about doing YM shorebased. It'll be a bit more work but it is doable.

I assume you've checked your quals and experience with the charter company, as some take a very hard line, whereas other ask nothing.

 

[Steve101]

Thanks for your post. I havn't done a thing yet! Just read the ad in the back of YM. I have been advised that Day skippers would be enough for a charter by people on this forum. Although Phil (Bav32) has done his comp crew and had about 3 months solid sailing of his boat we're both doing the Day skippers inshore together on his recommendation. Other than on here and our weekly trip down the pub boring everyone else with our tales of healing over, heaving to and childrens sea sickness I have few other reference points. (Books and Mags aside.(Tons of 'em)) DON'T BUY "Idiots guide to sailing and boating." Unless you have a wonky table. In my opinion it's crap!

 

[davel]

The Day Skipper course is definately worth doing. It won't teach you how to sail, but it will cover a lot of ground that will be uesful when you do sail (Basic navigation, coll regs, safety etc etc). As has also been said here, a good tutor will also add a lot or real life experience to the syllabus.

If you're in a hurry, why not look at a more compressed course rather than the evening class route that I guess you're taking. There are a number of sailing schools that run courses over a few weekends to complete things in a fraction onf the elapsed time.

Dave L.

 

[jimi]

I'd just go straight for the Yachtmaster Theory, after you've done a bit of it (Col regs + some basic nav) you can do a Day Skipper practical course. There are some good correspondence courses for the theory.

Jim

 

[Steve101]

I thought about doing a more compressed course, but as you say they run weekends and unfortunately/fortunately I have to work those days (I get all week off!!!) Also I want to have something to fill my time between now and getting my Moody (I need something to quench my thirst!) Finally I hope to find like minded individuals that'll come down the pub afterwards and regale me with stories that make my own seem less embarassing. (Hopefully female and attractive!, Er only joking Ange, Ouch, Honest, OUCH!)

 

[Jeremy_W]

DS Theory is clearly the right level for you. My only thought about the practical courses is - choose a school that spreads the course over seven days rather than the minimum 5-day. There's an awful lot to cram in and schools may be tempted to skip bits (like the dinghy rowing) if time is short. Also schedule in a radio exam before you head off to Gib.

 

[Guest]

Steve, I would start with the DS Theory it will give you a good grounding. If you go for the YM theory as a starter you will be in catch up mode the whole time and might get bounced off the course if you hold others too much. Get as much sea time in as you can with your friend. Join a Yacht Club and look for opportunities to crew for a day or so on different boats. Try and crew on a racing boat once or twice, you will learn an awful lot about sail setting. Do the DS practical and skip the incompetant crew bit. We are still well pleased with the 38 and can assure you, as Jeremy can vouch that 24 to drinks is only the starter we could have had a lot more... There are some really good books and learning devices around for the coll regs, navigation, pilotage etc.

keep hammering your GP14.

cheers

Pete

 

[jimi]

Depends how you're studying, doing classes Peter is probably right but if you choose to do correspondence I'd still go for the YM theory but get the DS practical in ASA you feel comfortable with the coll regs & basic navigation. Id' then do the coastal skipper practical PLUS EXAM as soon as you've got the YM theory & in the meantime get in as many miles as possible particularly in pilotage situations. Helps if you've got a mate who'll let you pilot (paticularly if he knows where he is but wo'nt tell you!

Jim

 

[Steve101]

Thanks for the reply Peter. I'm glad you re-inforced my intention to do DS theory as I was beginning to wonder if I should be doing a YM instead. I have no desire to run before I can walk! I do have a question though what do you mean by "....24 to drinks we could of had a lot more.." and whilst I'm on the subject of asking stupid questions what does SWMBO stand for? (Sailing with my beautiful other?)

 

[Steve101]

I'm doing it at a local evening class. Embarassingly enough the same school my Saturday girl goes to!

 

[Steve101]

SWMBO

" She Who Must be Obeyed!"....Got it! Doh!!!

 

[Guest]

Re: Day Skipper

If you're going to buy a book, buy Tom Cunliffe's Yachtmaster. read it, read it again, then read it again. I'm not related and I don't work for Adlard Coles, but I'm in a similar position to you (except I've gone and bought a boat already).

He's a geezer (except apparently when racing barges!)

Mark

 

[poter]

Steve,

I did my day skip practical without doing a theory course...... just loads of reading
and using the CD by longbow sail training. I have been sailing a no of years but mostly small racing cats, so I was not too concerned about the practical part just the col regs and nav.
I don't see any problem in you doing your Day Skip practical right now, certainly with the experience you are getting sailing a Bav, as long as you are reasonably confident on the basic theory. I would then go on to the coastal theory this winter with a sail school, if you work at it its easily done.

As someone else recommended on here, do go on a GMDSS short range cert. course before you charter. You can do it in a day at around £60 plus the cert fee of £19.
To help... read the RYA VHF (including GMDSS) handbook which is £4 I think.Or if you want to practice on a computer you can get a simulator prog for around £20 from lightmaster.

Do get as many books that you can and read... read... read.

Also as recommended on here, essential reading...
Tom Cunliffe 'The complete Yachtmaster'
& an excellent little aid-memoire
Basil Mosenthal 'The skippers Pocketbook' ( IMHO an absobludylootly essential )

good luck..... any help you want send me a pm.

Tara
poter

PS did you get the Complete Sailing Manual?
PPS is SWMBO behind all this???? ( Dreams of cocktails in the B.V.I.?)

 

[bigmart]

I remember many years ago when I was doing my Yachtmaster Shorebased course & we had a guy who had come in & missed the Day Skipper. He was the biggest pain in the a**se & made the more advanced course boring for the rest of us who had taken the proper route.

The Day Skipper course is the most fun of all the shorebased & I would recommend anybody to start there.

When taking the practical exams it's a different matter. Start at the Day Skipper but go straight to Yachtmaster. If you fail the chances are you get a Coastal pass.

Get stuck in & have a great time.

Regards

Martin

 

[halcyon]

But day skipper theory is mainly navigation, mooring/anchoring, safety, and weather, which is the basis of safe sailing.
In our yacht club you have to do day skipper theory before your yachtmaster theory, as the step up was proving to large.

At least it will give a good grounding in the basics of seamanship and worth doing over the winter.

Brian

 

[Steve101]

Havn't got Complete sailing manual, however have just added it to my evergrowing list (I coud probably afford a Moody 42 if I didn't keep spending money on EVERYTHING else!).
In answer to your question about SWMBO "The art of a good woman is her ability to make believe the man makes all the decisions whilst really she always does". Therefore I'm not sure......and if she ever lets me out of the cupboard under the stairs I'll let you know!

 

[alan_d]

Another good reason for doing Day Skipper Shorebased now and Yachtmaster Shorebased later on, is that according to the RYA Magazine the Yachtmaster syllabus will include much more GPS work "from Autumn 2003".

(I had planned to do Yachtmaster this winter but I shall put it off until next.)

Alan