Online RYA courses

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coveman

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As I live some way from an RYA school I am interested in doing the RYA Day Skipper or Yacht Master course. I completed the DS theory about 10 years ago but would like to refresh what I have forgotten! Chichester Marine have been recommended on this site but they no longer operate. Does anyone have any recommendations as to a good company to go to?
Any help gratefully received
Geoff
 
I wonder if the providers all use one source??

So look for the best support!

Good luck

There are always boat show deals.

Tony.
 
Successfully completed my DS Theory with Navathome yesterday. I probably spent more than the 5 days it would have been in a classroom but the ability to do it at my own pace & when it suited me was great. Would recommend it.
 
Thanks for the help - sounds as though Navathome will be a good bet, and I'll have ago at the Yachtmaster course which I think will be interesting.
All best, Geoff
 
I don't think Navathome will let you enrol for Yachtmadter if you haven't already completed Day Skipper. They've had too many problems with people who've attempted this in the past and haven't been able to cope as they didn't have the prerequisite basic knowledge.

i think you'll find it sufficiently challenging to complete 40 hours of distance learning without aiming for the more advanced course st this stage.
 
Melody said:
I don't think Navathome will let you enrol for Yachtmadter if you haven't already completed Day Skipper. They've had too many problems with people who've attempted this in the past and haven't been able to cope as they didn't have the prerequisite basic knowledge.

i think you'll find it sufficiently challenging to complete 40 hours of distance learning without aiming for the more advanced course st this stage.
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An interesting decision by Navathome. I wonder if forcing a customer to do one course before the other gives a better profit margin? Given the OP last did a DS about 10 years ago then I don't see starting at YM would be a problem.

I did my original Day Skipper theory before the cardinal system was introduced (I was very young at the time) and when I decided to make my qualifications current, had no problem with jumping straight in a YM level. Given the tidal range in the area I sail I actually suggest it is essential to understand secondary ports.
 
As I did the Day Skipper theory and practical about 10 years ago I was hoping to have a go at the Yachtmaster course - however I take your point,Melody and will have a word with Navathome first to see what they suggest.
However I am aware that asking me to repeat the DS will add to their coffers and it may be rather tiresome going over the same syllabus for a second time.
Still looking at doing an evening course somewhere, as I think the interaction between pupils is good and I know I got a lot out of that when I did the DS course, but there is a lack of schools near to me.
 
Geoff Theed said:
Still looking at doing an evening course somewhere, as I think the interaction between pupils is good and I know I got a lot out of that when I did the DS course, but there is a lack of schools near to me.
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Sadly today the local council does not run evening classes and so they are rarely run. Check out your local sailing clubs they might run something over the winter.

I actually found doing the course online really good, I did it with Chichester Marine, and the tuition was good. Doing things by email meant that I thought through questions before sending them in and the answers were well constructed and had a fast turn round, usually considerably less than 24 hours. Hope you also have a good experience.

Something that we do when out sailing is a quick revision session, lights buoys, ColRegs that sort of thing and that leads to an interesting discussion in the cockpit.
 
Geoff Theed said:
As I did the Day Skipper theory and practical about 10 years ago I was hoping to have a go at the Yachtmaster course - however I take your point,Melody and will have a word with Navathome first to see what they suggest.
However I am aware that asking me to repeat the DS will add to their coffers and it may be rather tiresome going over the same syllabus for a second time.
Still looking at doing an evening course somewhere, as I think the interaction between pupils is good and I know I got a lot out of that when I did the DS course, but there is a lack of schools near to me.
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Sorry, I missed the fact that you had already completed a shore based course previously. In that case, I don't think there will be an issue and it is worth you going for Yachtmaster theory. Speak to Vic Punch at Navathome about it.

As as for the suggestion someone made earlier about Navathome imposing this requirement simply to make people pay for another course, I really don't think that's the motivation. We get accused of a similar thing when we won't let beginners jump straight into a Day Skipper Practical.

What I've learned over the past 15 years is that it is usually a lot better to turn someone down, even if it means they go elsewhere, than to deal with the issues when they don't reach the required standard. Frequently the same people who want to skip doing the pre-requisites are the same ones who'll complain if they don't pass.

Navathome only introduced this requirement after a few years in the light of their experience of people doing the course. They required far more help and often dropped out and didn't complete, so it was wasting the students' money as well.

There is a financial consideration but it's not to do with 'adding to the coffers' in the way you appear to be suggesting. The price they charge will take into account their costs, including the average amount of time that the instructor will spend supporting a student. If they found that students who hadn't done Day Skipper required four times the amount of support, they either have to increase the price for everyone, have two-tier pricing, depending on what you've already done, or introduce a filter to get rid of those students who are less profitable. The third option is what they chose and I'd do the same.

Both ourselves and Navathome have enough customers. We don't need to take just anyone because we need the money. We have good reputations and offer good training so the deal is, if you want to have our training then you agree to our rules. Normally the rules are no more than reinforcing the pre-requisites laid down by the RYA.

There was a post on the forum a while ago by someone who complained that his Yachtmaster theory course was spoilt by the instructor having to spend so much time with people who didn't have the basics. Unfortunately, a lot of evening classes must get a minimum number in order to run, so they are not in the fortunate position of being able to turn away unsuitable students.
 
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Point taken - I am sure the majority of online courses are of high quality but as I did not know which were the best thought it a good idea to ask for others experiences. As you say Navathome would appear to have a very good record from the comments posted so if I do a course I will go with what they suggest.
Thanks to those who contributed to my post
Geoff
 
I bought my husband the Day Skipper Navathome course. I spoke to them beforehand and there was no prerequisite requirement from them if I had purchased the Coastal/ Yachtmaster course. They were very helpful and sent me the details of the course including comprehensive instructions on who to call in the interim if I needed any help. As it was a birthday present they then sent my husband the details and activated his account on his birthday. My husband is enjoying the course which seems very well organised and managed with good feedback and support. The graphics are excellent and the pack came with everything he needed to start. This was 2 weeks ago so pretty up to date.
 
Glad to hear your husband is enjoying the course - another thumbs up for Navathome it would seem! Just have to hope now that my wife buys me the same present - birthday on the horizon!
 
I know it is old now, but I came across this forum post when searching for 'which is the best online RYA course'. It was one of the first results and I was pleased to find some good information so quickly. But then I checked them out on Trustpilot and came across this review:
https://uk.trustpilot.com/reviews/63414583b67840c2ab2b8cca

It isn't so much that they got a negative review, everyone gets a few, it is more the way it seems they have handled it. Has anyone heard of Christy's side by side review since? I am unsure.
 
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