Day skippers theory course. Is it worth it?

[Ohdrat]

No I don't think it's worth it.. concentrate on the sailing and boat handling of your GP14, get the RYA handbook but the day skipper theory is so simple it really isn't worth doing a taught theory course until the theory for your yachtmaster/coastal skipper.

Next summer I suggest you do Day Skipper practical buy which time you should have picked up the principles of sail handling etc.

I would however do your radio ops ticket this winter

 

[peter.penman]

I'd say day skipper theory is a must. It will give you time to work out Navigation problems with a tutor on hand. When I did mine, it was a surprise to see how many supposedly 'experienced' yachtsmen struggled with the passage planning. Also, DS shorebased is the minimum standard of knowledge required for the practical so having done it, you will have one less thing to worry about. The RYA book of Navigation is a very useful book for both DS and YM Ofshore.

PS - doing it at nightschool is quite sociable as you usually end up at a local hostelry for 'discussion'.

Peter.

 

[JeremyF]

True, Pete. Its the first time Ive seen a boat being rebalanced in a Marina berth!

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

 

[Jeremy_W]

"the Yachtmaster syllabus will include much more GPS work "from Autumn 2003".
I'd say that is a good reason for doing the course now, while it still contains more seat of the pants stuff!

I did DS Practical and followed immediately by a one-week intensive YM Theory. So I've never sat CC Practical or DS Theory. The only navigation book I'd ever studied was Gerry Smith's excellent "Coastal Navigation" - definitely recommended, plus those flip cards for Rule of the Road.

But I had sailed dinghies for 15 years, before crewing yachts (racing and cruising) for five years. But Steve 101's situation is different. He's simultaneously a novice in dinghies and yachts. So starting at the bottom [Dinghy Level 1, Comp Crew Practical, DS Theory, Radio Licence and Diesel fixing cert] is absolutely right

 

[peterb]

An awful lot depends on previous training and knowledge. If you have a scientific/technical/engineering background then the navigation and tidal aspects will be simple. Colregs are a matter of memory, but an ability to visualise helps a lot. I'd been a glider pilot before I took up sailing, so for me the meteorology was a doddle.

The best bet probably is to get hold of the course books. If you can read and easily understand the majority of the book, then you can think about skipping the course. If not, don't.

 

[Steve101]

You can't possibly mean you had 24 people on your Moody for drinks! My God was their a permanent queue for the heads. It's a good job it wasn't 24 of me I'm 16 1/2 stone the damn thing would have sunk! How did you fit them in I've been on a Bav with 7 and it was pushing maximum density. Did some sit on the boom?

 

[billmacfarlane]

Why not get a hold of the syllabus for the theory course ? It's not rocket science and you can teach yourself the bits from numerous books that are available. I've literally just got back from an RYA practical course and one of the guys on the boat was doing his Day Skipper practical. The emphasis was towards nav and boat handling under sail and power and you'd probably with your background get a lot out of it. A 38' is a lot of boat for a first boat and I'd spend a bit of money getting an instuctor to come aboard for a day or two on your new boat to teach close boat handling techniques.

 

[Guest]

9 sitting in the cockpit, rest scattered around the aft deck and side decks as far forward as the forward end of the cockpit. I re-balanced the boat after everybody was on port and i was having difficulty pouring the wine. It was good weather but I reckon 40 in fine weather would have been OK!!!! Last guestsm disappeared atr 1.30. My dog had given up and was asleep on our berth in the aft cabin!!!! Apart from one halarite couple all were campers berth holders, friendly place!!!!!!

Pete