powerskipper
Well-Known Member
How hard did you find it and how did you do it?
for those who have done day skipper theory.
- Thread starter powerskipper
- Start date
phanakapan
Well-Known Member
Night school, 1 evening a week; very little practical experience before, but I did find it quite easy- we had a good teacher.
Brucey
Active Member
Fairly easy did it in 2001/2 at night school. Did the Yachtmaster costal the year after and probably could have gone straight in to that, but actually enjoyed both. After a busy day at work they where both a pleasant change and a bit taxing without being hard work or to much homework to fit in.
ubuysa
Well-Known Member
Did it (and CS theory & YM Offshore theory) as 5-day classes. Much the best way (IMHO) lots of time to ask questions, do practice questions and such. Great fun, not too taxing and very useful.
Tony C.
Tony C.
bobupanddown
Well-Known Member
In my opinion dont bother with the day skipper but go straight for the yachtmaster course. It is very similar and does not require much extra effort to pass. It will save you money in the long term.
I did my course over five days with a school in Poole and had no problems. They combined both day skipper and yachtmaster into the same course with .day skippers just answering slightly easier questions at the end of the 5 days
I did my course over five days with a school in Poole and had no problems. They combined both day skipper and yachtmaster into the same course with .day skippers just answering slightly easier questions at the end of the 5 days
whisper
Well-Known Member
I did it at night school - about 30 wks - at local college. Was rather easy and almost totally "sailing" orientated - ok, I was the only powerboater there. Then did yachtmaster the following year - again almost wholly "sailing" orientated - only 2 out of 10 of us had motorboats.
I found that having one's own boat helped with both courses 'cos it was easy (cheap) to put some of the new knowledge into practice.
Unfortunately I have forgotten a lot of the "saily" bits now.
I found that having one's own boat helped with both courses 'cos it was easy (cheap) to put some of the new knowledge into practice.
Unfortunately I have forgotten a lot of the "saily" bits now.
webcraft
Well-Known Member
Did it a few years ago now at local college evening classes in Aberdeen.
The slightly odd thing was, I got offered a cheapo place on an intensive 3 weekend Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory course in the middle of it, so got that first.
(Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore awarded 6/12/97, Dazed Kipper awarded 27/03/98 - can anyone beat that?)
I think the fact that I went back and finished the Dazed Kipper shows it was a fun thing to do on Winter nights. Not particularly hard, but then I had already done a fair bit of sailing.
- Nick
The slightly odd thing was, I got offered a cheapo place on an intensive 3 weekend Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory course in the middle of it, so got that first.
(Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster Offshore awarded 6/12/97, Dazed Kipper awarded 27/03/98 - can anyone beat that?)
I think the fact that I went back and finished the Dazed Kipper shows it was a fun thing to do on Winter nights. Not particularly hard, but then I had already done a fair bit of sailing.
- Nick
paulskent
Well-Known Member
Night school course over the winter.
Did my exams last week. I think I will have passed.
Already have Day Skipper Practical so a bit out of sequence.
As a one evenign a week recreational thing it has been good fun. I found it enjoyable being one of the more knowledgable of the students. Never happened to me before. I am sure I must have appeared like a smart arse to the rest in the class, but sometime you just can't resist responding to a question when you know the answer.
I have done night classes before in other subjects and struggled to stay awake after a days work. This wasn't the case with this subject. I think it was the combination of the great instructor, the subject matter and my general interest in the subject.
Will do the coastal/yachtmaster shorebased next year at the same night school.
PK.
Did my exams last week. I think I will have passed.
Already have Day Skipper Practical so a bit out of sequence.
As a one evenign a week recreational thing it has been good fun. I found it enjoyable being one of the more knowledgable of the students. Never happened to me before. I am sure I must have appeared like a smart arse to the rest in the class, but sometime you just can't resist responding to a question when you know the answer.
I have done night classes before in other subjects and struggled to stay awake after a days work. This wasn't the case with this subject. I think it was the combination of the great instructor, the subject matter and my general interest in the subject.
Will do the coastal/yachtmaster shorebased next year at the same night school.
PK.
StellaGirl
Well-Known Member
I agree with others - I wouldnt bother with DS Theory I would just do YM theory. The DS theory was very easy and alot of it common sense. You learn most of it just being out on the water.
alant
Well-Known Member
The DS theory was very easy and alot of it common sense. You learn most of it just being out on the water.
___________________________________________________
Yes, easy for some who may have prior boating experience.
If it works for you, great.
However, there is a definite trend amongst some people (possibly achievers in their day jobs) who assume they don't need the basics. You'd be amazed at the 'Captains of Industry' who come along on Day Skipper Practical Courses (which assumes a resonable level of knowledge of the theory), haven't done either comp crew or DS theory, but have helped their 'girl friend' with their YM course (so have read the books apparently & know their stuff). So, are unable to read a chart (sorry that should be map) & haven't a clue what a Portland Plotter is. They are a pain in the neck, because they then take away the instructors time from other students.
If you want to 'fast track', why not try a combined theory & practical 9 day DS course (hopefully being at least Comp crew level first, to get the best from such a course).
Knock these RYA courses as much as you like, but they have been designed by people who know from experience what the majority of students need to learn & can absorb. So why do students assume they know better?
An arrogance which the sea won't allow.
___________________________________________________
Yes, easy for some who may have prior boating experience.
If it works for you, great.
However, there is a definite trend amongst some people (possibly achievers in their day jobs) who assume they don't need the basics. You'd be amazed at the 'Captains of Industry' who come along on Day Skipper Practical Courses (which assumes a resonable level of knowledge of the theory), haven't done either comp crew or DS theory, but have helped their 'girl friend' with their YM course (so have read the books apparently & know their stuff). So, are unable to read a chart (sorry that should be map) & haven't a clue what a Portland Plotter is. They are a pain in the neck, because they then take away the instructors time from other students.
If you want to 'fast track', why not try a combined theory & practical 9 day DS course (hopefully being at least Comp crew level first, to get the best from such a course).
Knock these RYA courses as much as you like, but they have been designed by people who know from experience what the majority of students need to learn & can absorb. So why do students assume they know better?
An arrogance which the sea won't allow.